Retired Navy Nurses are “In the Zone” of National Senior Olympians

Authors: Marilyn Anita Day and Margaret E. Armstrong

Five retired Navy nurses were among over ten thousand athletes who converged on Houston, Texas to compete in eighteen sports. The games were held at fifteen venues from June 16 to 30, 2011. The atmosphere in Houston was alive with anticipation of competition and pride in the athletes and their teams as they moved through their challenges. The United States National Senior Olympic Games is the largest multi-sport event in the world for athletes over fifty years of age.

Whether these senior athletes win a gold medal or not, they are all winners as they prepare for the National Games with weekly practice sessions designed to prevent injury in their sport and fitness routines. Teams must win a gold, silver or bronze medal at the state level to qualify for the National Games making them all winners in anyone’s book!

There were 99 teams of three-on-three female basketball players from the United States and Canada. The Navy nurses who qualified to play were from four different states and they were assigned to various age groups to fit the Nationals’ age divisions. Therefore, they played on five separate teams. They played to grab the championship title for their individual team – “Bring the house down, from downtown”, “go to the hole”, and to have fun just for the health of it.

Peg Armstrong of Virginia Beach, VA, at 5’10’ tall, plays low post position for “NOVA United Classics” of Northern, VA. Her team started their games ranked #14 in the country for teams 70-74 years of age and finished in eighth place by winning two out of their first three games, placing them in the winner’s bracket. Despite Peg’s 3 points from “downtown”, they lost games to the eventual gold medalists. Peg profusely thanked her Navy basketball shipmates for encouraging her to start playing competitive basketball a year ago. She said, “I’m thrilled to be able to join ranks with my shipmates and teammates who continue to inspire me to regain my fitness and enjoyment of life as a senior athlete!”

Throwing down right behind Peg is Patricia “Pat” Bull, of San Diego, CA. Pat, a 59 year old sharp shooter, played for “The Aftershocks” of San Diego. She said, “About a month before registration for the National Games was due, my team in the 55-59 age group ‘fell apart’…I was asked to play with the Aftershocks which is a team in the 50-54 age group. While happy to be asked to join the Aftershocks and to experience the Senior National Games, I knew the competition in the 50-54 age group was going to be brutal – and it was - but oh, so fun to watch. We won one game – our last game – so we left on a high note; we were also able to watch other San Diego teams, and this made us feel a little better. Major lesson learned – Play in the age group you belong in!”

Driving to the basket was Marilyn Anita “Day” from Carlsbad, CA. A 70 year old, she plays for “The Michigan Spirits” of Detroit, MI. The most skilled, and powerful player on Day’s team is only 68 years old, so they opted to play in the 65-69 age division, vice 70-74 division. Day’s team usually wins gold or silver medals at the National Games, but this year they won their first three games of the pool, then lost two games in the winners’ bracket; hence were eliminated. Day scored several points for her team. Unfortunately, she did not have an opportunity to do her senior-slam dunk! Day said, “After that 3rd win, our get up and go must have gotten up and dribbled right on out of the gym and did not return.” “Oh well, we gave it our best shots, but we just cannot win them all, all of the time.”

When it comes to patrolling the paint, nothing got past the relentless guard Easty Law of Oceanside, CA, who plays for “Ladies of the Court” of Reno, Nevada. Easty, a 62 year old, played in the 50-54 age division. Her team won three games and lost three games, and won the Bronze in “Flight B.” Easty said, “I scored a few points for my team. I am the oldest on the team. They put me in when they need a feisty old broad to guard that basket.”

“Hoops there it is!” Nancy Owen, of Coronado, CA, played in the 60-64 age group as a point guard for “The San Diego Quakes” of San Diego, CA. Nancy consistently called the plays for her team. She made great passes and smooth shots, and she was definitely a woman on the boards. About her team she said, “After initial pool play, with three wins and one loss, we were seeded 5th. Then, after one win and one loss, we ended up playing the same team a total of three times, losing to them each time. So, for the record, we had a great run, great teamwork, great coach, and a great time and ended up 5th in the nation, or as one of my teammates said, ‘Fifth in the universe!’”

When it comes to dedication, we have Jennifer “Jen” Town of Coronado, CA, also qualified with the Aftershocks of San Diego. However, Jen works with the Wounded Warrior Program at Naval Hospital, San Diego and could not be spared from her duties.

These Navy nurses are old enough to be retired but are forever young enough to use their Navy “can do” spirit to compete as senior Olympians! Let’s give a high five, a gigantic wave and three cheers for all our retired Navy Nurses who are doing their best to actively participate in sports, creative arts and community involvement as they continue to represent the Navy Nurse Corps with dedication and pride.