Medalists in NVSO diving events. Carol Mackela of Springfield, top row, left, won first place in the opening day competition. Photo by Shirley Ruhe.
Northern Virginia Senior Olympics (NVSO) opened its eleven days of competitive events on Saturday, Sept. 15 with opening ceremonies at 9 a.m. followed by track, rowing and diving events. Six diving competitors faced off at Washington and Lee Aquatics Center in Arlington.
Carol Mackela, a resident of Springfield, competed in the opening day diving events at the Northern Virginia Senior Olympics (NVSO) on Saturday. She won the first place blue ribbon in the 65-69-year old women's category with a score of 203.60. McKenna says her back dive with the half flip is her favorite dive because it "has been my most consistent." McKenna also competes in USA Master's diving events and in international competition.
This year 857 participants signed up for NVSO with Doris Woodring the oldest competitor at 108 in Mexican train dominoes.
The events are being held at 29 community and senior centers, parks and schools around Northern Virginia from Fairfax Senior Center, Walter Reed Community Center in Arlington, Occoquan Regional Park in Lorton, Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke and Lincolnia Senior Center in Alexandria. Participants are required to be 50 years of age or older as of Dec. 31, 2018 and reside in the Cities of Fairfax, Alexandria or Falls Church or the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun or Prince William.
Events range from football and frisbee throw, swimming and track, shot put, bowling, golf, orienteering, and cornhole as well as bridge and cribbage.