The Senior Fitness 55+ Provincial Games in Swift Current included a number of local winners.
Mailyn Janette Lucas Leyeza and Grace Modesto won gold in Ladies 55-59 pickleball doubles.
It was a partnership that started in another sport.
"Usually we played tennis," said Lucas Leyeza. "Then during winter there is no indoor tennis much. She asked me, there's a pickleball ongoing. We started playing and then we've got hooked on it and it's good. Our partnership is very good."
They wanted to take that partnership to a competitive level.
"I am a very competitive person, right?" said Lucas Leyeza. "We started joining tournaments last February. Every time there's an ongoing tournament, we'd like to try it. This Summer Olympics, this is for the people 55 plus, right? It feels amazing, and we're grateful, and we are excited. It's never too late to be active and competitive. That's why we decided to join so others will be inspired also that even if you are 55 and senior already, there's still a chance for us to be athletic and having fun."
She was happy with their performance at the games.
"We did great," added Lucas Leyeza. "There are some ups and downs during the tournament. There are some teams that are so good, really, and they are very competitive. We just communicated with each other and we had our game plan. The most important thing is we said to each other, let's just enjoy and have fun while playing."
Luas Leyeza also won a bronze in mixed doubles with Manny Capulong.
OTHER WINNERS
While we don't have all the winners from the southwest, some other medalists include:
Wes Sloman and Ken Pigott won gold in the cribbage tournament. Jody Christmann and Darlene Glass earned silver, while Mark Stock & Less Shaw picked up bronze.
The Swift Current-based Wrinkled Warriors won bronze in the Slo-Pitch tournament.
Over 400 athletes and supporters participated in the 55+ games.