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Sixth Annual Eastern Shore Senior Games Come to SU

SALISBURY, MD---Exercise is important at any age. Just ask Lynn Swann, former Pittsburgh Steeler and chairman of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.

“To older Americans we say it's never too late to move for health, and it's never too late to start adopting physically active behaviors,” he said during a recent appearance before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging. “Living an active lifestyle can help expand your vigorous years and quality of life well past age 50, 60, 70 and beyond.”

The Eastern Shore Senior Games at Salisbury University help seniors do all that and more. Held Thursday-Saturday, April 21-23, the sixth annual Senior Games bring together 310 athletic enthusiasts throughout Maryland, Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Virginia for three days of friendly competition in some 550 events.

Categories include aquatics, archery, badminton, billiards, bowling, cycling, floor and foul basketball shooting, golf, horseshoes, racquetball, table tennis, tennis, and track and field. Team events include softball and volleyball. Seniors compete within age brackets separated by half decade.

A non-competitive line dancing exhibition provides a lively opening reception 11 a.m. Friday, April 22, in the Wicomico Room of the Guerrieri University Center.

According to the President's Council, 85 percent of senior citizens in the United States do not exercise as much as they should. Other seniors have made staying in shape a social affair, using events like the Senior Games to keep in touch with old friends and make new ones.

The games are made possible through the support of the Salisbury University Department of Health, Physical Education and Human Performance; the Salisbury University Foundation; Phi Epsilon Kappa physical education honor society; Salisbury University Women's Softball Team; Sea Gull Century; Peninsula Orthopaedic Associates, PA; Wicomico County Tourism; Deer Run Golf Course; Wicomico County Parks and Recreation; and Cherokee Bowling Lanes. The community is invited to come out and cheer on this year’s participants. Admission is free. For more information call Dr. Carol Wood at 410-548-3256 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu. "