Madison Countians claim wins, enjoy camaraderie in state Masters Games

MADISON – Scores of active adults at least 55 years old in North Alabama have qualified for Masters Games of Alabama October, a nonprofit organization.

TARCOG is ready to cheer on 61 adults who qualified this summer. These senior citizens live in DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Marshall counties, the coverage area for TARCOG or Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments. The Area Agency on Aging with TARCOG assists these residents.

Throughout June, 216 individuals received first-, second- and third-place medals, and 49 participants advanced to the state games, which Trussville will host.

This year’s games include basketball free-throw, billiards, bowling, cornhole, domino singles, domino doubles, frisbee throw, Nerf throw, rook, shuffleboard, softball throw and table tennis. Preliminary competitions were held at various locations.

Roxie Wright, 89, and Wilma Shortt, 87, attend Scottsboro Senior Center and will be inducted into the Hall of Fame for the State Games. Both will compete again this year.

Numerous Madison Countians qualified for Masters Games of Alabama October:

• Annette Jiles of Madison First place, Billiards and Bowling; and second, Nerf Throw and Softball Throw in 65- to 69-year-olds category.

• Bill Cooley of Huntsville – First place, Billiards, Nerf Throw and Shuffleboard; second, Frisbee Throw; and qualified for Table Tennis in 70- to 74-year-olds category.

• Donnie Higgins of Huntsville — Third place, Basketball Free-Throw and qualified for Bowling in 80- to 84-year-olds category.

• Eunice Jett-Day of Madison — First place, Table Tennis; second, Shuffleboard; and third, Billiards in 70- to 74-year-olds category.

• Eva Douglass of Madison – First place, Basketball Freethrow, Domino Doubles and Softball Throw; second, Domino Singles; and third, Nerf Throw in 70- to 74-year-olds category.

• Frank Mazzone of Owens Cross Roads — Qualified for Billiards in 75to 79-year-olds category.

• Frazier Douglass of Madison – First place, Domino Doubles and Frisbee Throw; second, Nerf Throw, Rook, Shuffleboard and Softball Throw; and qualified for Domino Singles in 70- to 74-year-olds category.

• Huey Anderson of Huntsville — First place, Billiards in 85- to 89-year-olds category.

• Preston Thomas of Huntsville Qualified for Table Tennis in 70- to 74-year-olds category.

• Wanda Higgins of Huntsville – Second place, Cornhole; third, Basketball Free-throw; and qualified for Bowling in 75- to 79-year-olds category.

• Wayson Lee of Huntsville – Third place, Frisbee Throw in 85- to 89-year-olds category.

• Willis McKinney of Huntsville — Third place, Billiards in 70- to 74-year-old category.

The goal of the games is to promote social, mental and physical activities for these age groups, according to TARCOG Director of Aging Programs Sheila Dessau-Ivey.