Each city has its own sub theme on this relay – Houston’s space program connection at our torch launch, patriotism on the USS Lexington in Corpus Christi, Texas history at Main Plaza and the Alamo in San Antonio, Austin as a model for healthy lifestyle and rockin’ music, and now to Dallas.This torch relay visit was as big as Cowboys Stadium. Every relay “orbit” was an interesting story. More than 50 intrepid Senior Games athletes and a large posse of friends and family braved 100 degree heat to have their moment carrying the Fitness Flame torch. Most huddled under the shaded area of the plaza until their turn with the torch. Our poor crew had to stick it out on the plaza – they deserve a medal for their work on this day!
The most impressive highlight came with the last lap around the west plaza of the mammoth stadium as four Texas Senior Games Hall Of Fame members took a collective lap to bring the torch to the podium for our ceremony. They included track stars Wayne Bennett and Phyllis Provost, 75 and 77 respectively, followed by 72 years young multi-sport athlete Shelly Whitlock (also a TSGA board member) and finally Ed Roberts of Fort Worth, a National Senior Games board member who was recognized as much for his longtime state and national volunteer service as his prowess with shuffleboard.
Other great moments included team orbits by two women’s basketball teams- The Silver Bullets led by Shelly Whitlock. The other, calling themselves the Granny Globetrotters, featured Kay Seemayer, a state, national and world Senior Games medalist with a dynamic personality. She offers a program based on her original song called “Get Up, Get Out and Get Your Move On” and took the microphone to sing and lead a demonstration with several attendees.
Mayor Pro Tem Lana Wolf, Tim Harrell of Reliant Energy, Shelly Whitlock and Ed Roberts made closing remarks emceed by Relay Director Del Moon. On to College Station!
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