Competition under way at Southwest La. District Senior Games

The annual Southwest Louisiana District Senior Games kicked off with an opening ceremony in the McNeese recreational sports complex Friday morning.

Around 350 seniors are registered for this year’s games, which includes 24 sports—ranging from golf and archery to bait casting and billiardsplayed through March 20.

The games got a head start on Saturday, March 4 with the track and field events.

Friday’s opening ceremony was immediately followed by the games’ largest event, a 17-team beanbag baseball tournament.

Participants compete in five-year age brackets, and anyone 50 or older is eligible to compete in one or more sports.

The district games also see siginificant enrollment from “out-of-district” seniors—those hailing from outside the six-parish area, often western Texas, district coordinator Angela Jouett said.

Success at the district games can mean qualification for states, which is held at several locations across Louisiana. This fall, Lake Charles will host the state competitions for shuffle board, cycling, swimming and golf.

This year’s state winners won’t advance to nationals, though, which is held on alternating years.

For the district games, most events are hosted at McNeese, the games’ longtime institutional partner. Students in the school’s health and human performance program organize and facilitate the events through a springsemester class.

This year’s proceeds will also help fund a scholarship for McNeese health students, Jouett said.

Friday’s ceremony also honored the games’ Seniors of the Year, Marilyn and István “Steve” Pekar. A retired teacher and electrician, respectively, the husband-andwife athletic duo has been competing in the games for around 15 years.

“It’s fun being with friends and playing the games together,” Marilyn said. “It’s not just about winning; it’s about the friendships.”

Together, the couple competes in around eight events each year, and Pekar said athletics have long been a part of the family’s life.

Marilyn is a Sulphur native, while István hails from Hungary.

Jouett said the games often become one facet of an overarching healthy lifestyle, as many couples and teams practice year-round in preparation.

“It’s a huge health initiative,” Jouett said. “And they not only get exercise but also get out and meet other area seniors.”