It was an opportunity for more than 200 seniors to rekindle old friendships and rivalries.

The tension was high between Howard County participants Jerry Lambart and Junior Owens, who have been competitors for a number of years.

Lambart took first place from Owens during the men’s bocce ball and miniature golf portions of the 31st annual Cass County Senior Games at Riverside Park.

“He just got lucky,” Owens laughed.

As long as they both are “still kicking,” Lambart said, both plan to continue the rivalry.

The Area Five Agency on Aging and Community Services sponsored the event, which saw participants playing bingo, miniature golf and bocce ball. They also visited the health fair, rode the Dentzel Carousel, ate lunch and listened to a guest speaker, Purdue University professor Meghan McDonough, whose area of study is understanding how relationships impact physical health.

They even had the opportunity to attend a victory banquet to celebrate everyone living a healthy life.

“That’s what this is all about,” said Cindy Wagoner, the event chair.

“Exercise is not about pushups. It’s about coming out here to play bocce ball or take a walk.”

Seniors from six counties — Cass, Fulton, Howard, Miami, Tipton and Wabash — participated in their own games during the week.

Friday’s gathering was a mixture of seniors from all counties.

Different competitions included walking events, a softball throw, dominoes, euchre, darts and water balloon toss. Each event had a gold, silver and bronze medal for the winner in both the men and women’s competitions.

“We might try some new something new next year,” she said. “I’m listening to suggestions.”

Of Friday’s participants, 19 were more than 90 years old. Wagoner said the average participant was a 74-year-old woman.

“There’s still a lot of guys out there, and they’re having a good time, too,” she said.

According to Wagoner, many of the participants are serious players, but some come out just for fun. She said some people become more competitive than others and come out to win medals.

She added that socialization is a key part of the senior games.

“I can’t tell you how many retire and sit down in a recliner and say, ‘I used to have friends,’” she said.

Wagoner said conducting the senior games each year has become important to the different communities, since it shows the seniors how easy it is to get out, have fun and stay active.

The motto of the games is “Fun + Fitness + Friends = Senior Games,” which is printed on the participants’ T-shirts.

Cass County residents Frank Hines and Norman Page enjoyed participating in the games.

Page has attended for more than 10 years and said the games are a great chance to socialize. His favorite event this year was the predict walk, which he took a gold medal in. Page predicted his time to take one second longer than Hines’ time. He ended up finishing closer to the predicted time than Hines did.

While winning a medal was nice, Page said he wished everyone could win one in the end.

“Winning a medal helps build our confidence up,” he said.

Fifth-year-participant Hines enjoys one aspect in particular.

“We come to eat,” he laughed.

Lambart, who is formerly of Cass County, has participated in the senior games for 21 years. He has won more than 500 medals.

“I’ve always been an athlete,” he said. “I’ve played basketball, softball and track.”

Lambart has even competed in the state senior games and went to the national games four times in track and field.

He enjoys the competition, but that’s not the only thing.

“It’s not the idea of winning,” he said. “It’s the friendships you make with all the seniors.”

He did finally win the gold medal in the men’s bocce ball competition, even after having rotor cuff surgery two months ago.

Fulton County resident Kenneth Medeiros competed for his second year and has met many new friends.

In just two years, Medeiros collected 11 medals. He was a bit disappointed this year though.

“I won medals in six out of seven of my tournaments,” he said. “The only non-medal was in euchre, and that is my favorite event.”

The entire event was free for seniors. Wagoner said the competition had many sponsors, which helped make it possible.

One change this year was the health fair, organized by Area Five intern Reegan Humburg. The fair was moved to the outdoor area at Riverside Park. It also attracted a larger number of organizations this year.

Wagoner said she didn’t have a favorite part of the event.

“I love the whole thing,” she said. “When it’s over, I miss it.”

• Denise Massie is a staff writer at the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached at 574-732-5151 or denise.massie@pharostribune.com