PINEDALE — The Wyoming Senior Olympics were held at the Pinedale Aquatic Center and White Pine Ski Resort in Pinedale from Thursday, March 7 through Sunday, March 10. What follows is an unofficial and somewhat biased report of the results of the pickleball games.

In women’s doubles play, Pinedale competitors Valerie Jackson, Christy Otto, Shirleen D’amoto and Cindy Stein swept gold and silver. I will not reveal the age group they played in because proper etiquette says not to ask or reveal a woman’s age.

After the match, Valerie Jackson held a short press conference and announced that she was retiring from tournament play. As for the other three women, one can assume they will be out head-hunting for more medals in the future.    

In the men’s 65 age bracket, Don Jackson, David Lavin, Kenneth Olson and Roger Weber had an epic battle for silver and bronze. The set was played before a near-empty and, in the end, an empty gym. Olson and Weber prevailed in the first game and Lavin and Jackson won the second game. Due to the tiebreaker rule, Lavin and Jackson got silver and Weber and Olson received bronze.

Mixed doubles were played on Saturday. Due to their youthful appearance, the team of Christy Otto and Roger Weber were asked to play in the 50-plus bracket. After battling their way through four matches, unbeknownst to Weber, they garnered a bronze medal. The team of Don Jackson and Cindy Stein took silver in the 65 age bracket. Shirleen D’amoto and her partner took silver in the 70 bracket.  

After being mentally and physically coerced for about one second, Lavin was a late entry in the men’s singles bracket. Putting on a gutsy performance, which was hard for him to do as he is actually pretty lean, Lavin won the gold.

Other Pinedale pickleball players participated. Ross “Rascal” McCracken, on two hours’ notice, was able to get his game face on, get into his attire and mentally and physically prepare his fine-tuned body for battle. Rookie that he is to the sport, McCracken put on a memorable performance that almost propelled him and his teammate to the podium. 

Julie Konicek was also asked to fill in for the mixed doubles. Smiling and having a good time as she always does, she was asked to cover a lot of the court.

Chase Harbor, although short of 50 years old, was able to fill in men’s doubles. It was determined ahead of time that he would forgo the medal, but in the name of good sportsmanship, he was allowed to play. One could see the wistful look in Harbor’s eyes as he realized just how cool these over 50 people really are. Give it time, Chase, you’ll get there.

Thanks go out to Don “The Commish” Jackson for keeping the brackets full, preventing brawls (just kidding) and making sure the schedule flowed smoothly. Also, thanks to the whole staff at the Pinedale Aquatic Center for hosting. 

Please keep in mind that many other athletes participated in other events, but I was only involved in the pickleball games.

For more information about playing pickleball at the PAC in Pinedale, click here.

For more information about the Wyomign Senior Olympics 2024 Winter Games, visit https://www.wyomingseniorolympics.org/2024-winter-games.