News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Over 240 athletes and counting are competing at the Upper Cumberland Senior Olympics.
Assistant Coordinator Alicia Arehart said the events kicked off last week with golf and bowling, with registrations ongoing for other events. Arehart said that after canceling last year, participants are excited to get back to competing safely.
“There are always worries about coming into contact with COVID and that was one thing we discussed with many of our participants that had competed in the past years,” Arehart said. “And if they wanted to be vaccinated, they had already been vaccinated and they felt that this was a great way to promote healthy lifestyles, get outside, stay healthy, continue to move, and not seclude yourself.”
Arehart said that with other districts in the state canceling their qualifying events, the Upper Cumberland has seen an influx of athletes wanting to register. She said that competitors range from former athletes to those who have picked up the sport in later years.
Arehart said sports include basketball, golf, swimming, chair volleyball, among others, with events being held until October. She said that pickleball has become a particularly popular event in recent years.
“This past year our hall of fame is Wayne Matthews,” Arehart said. “And he didn’t start pickleball until his later years and he became huge in Fairfield Glade and our community. He helps with even high school events and things like that. He was an athlete as a younger person and then he became a senior he also picked up pickleball and really built up pickleball to what it is out in Fairfield now. He’s been a really great ambassador for the Senior Olympics.”
Arehart said that the event has become incredibly popular over the years. She said that with the age range from 50 years old up, there are people younger than 50 already looking to get into the event because of the sportsmanship, support, and camaraderie they’ve seen as spectators.
Arehart said that any person looking to register can email her at fpscalicia@outlook.com.
