Eyes on the prize: Seniors, teens begin training for Senior Olympics

Put a traveling trophy -- and bragging rights -- on the line, and it sure fires up the competition, no matter what the age.That was the case last week, at a regional qualifying tournament of sorts that offered teams a chance to advance to the next round.They included adults from the Arlington Heights Senior Center and Hersey High School's Service Over Self club members, who competed in the third annual "Senior Olympics.""The teens add so much," said Karen Hansen, Arlington Heights Senior Center director. "Their enthusiasm is infectious."Competitors went toe-to-toe in events that included billiards, Jenga, Connect Four, Bozo Buckets, Pictionary and baggos, all spread out across the senior center.In their midst was last year's traveling trophy, won by the Arlington contingent in a finals match against a team from Elk Grove, comprised of Elk Grove High School students and seniors from the Sheila Ray Senior Center.The top six teams -- made up of two teens and two seniors -- from each community will square off again in the finals, slated for Dec. 20 at the Arlington Heights Senior Center, for a chance to claim the trophy.Hersey's students launched the event three years ago, as an intergenerational event designed to combine both groups. They already arrive every year around Valentine's Day in their "Love Bus" to perform songs and dances at the senior center, but the teens brainstormed to come up with an event that was more interactive."I never realized how much fun it could be," said Hersey senior Heidi Johnson of Arlington Heights. "All the games are really fun."Pat Childs, 81, of Arlington Heights enjoyed all of the events, but said billiards was her favorite."We have so much fun with the kids; they're just a great bunch," Childs said.Dan Parks, another Hersey High School senior, found common ground with his teammates in playing baggos."We like to play a lot before our Hersey football games," Parks said. "This wasn't as long as it's normally played; it was still fun. It's the just the luck of the toss, I guess."Players will have six weeks to train and practice for the next tournament. To date, Arlington's players have won the finals both years, and they aim to defend their title, members say."It's all good-hearted competition, but it definitely heats up for the finals," Hansen adds "I don't think they'll be kidnapping the mascot or anything, but they'll be ready to play." 338512Jim Albertz, 73, pitches a bag in a game of baggos during the Senior Olympics last week.Gilber R. Boucher II | Staff Photographer