“I never thought I would compete in the National Senior Games.”
Introducing Debbie Mink. Debbie will be traveling to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to compete in The National Senior Games tennis singles and mixed doubles. The National Senior Games, a 25-sport biennial competition for men and women 50 and over, is the largest multi-sport event in the world for seniors.
Debbie has been playing tennis for over 40 years. At first, it started out as a way to socialize and exercise with friends. Once a week, Debbie and her friends, who all had kids around the same age would gather together to play tennis. While they played against each other on the court their kids would play together in the park.
She never thought that playing tennis socially would lead her to compete in the National Senior Games. When asked what made you want to take the leap from playing socially to competitively Debbie says it was Willow Valley Communities.
“I don’t know if I would have done it on my own, but since there was a group of us doing it I just decided to go for it.”
Now, she plays with fellow Willow Valley Communities residents to challenge herself and become a better tennis player. She plays in the Men’s Group and Ladies Group at least once a week to get a variety of competition. Fun Fact: That’s where she met her partner Dale Mellinger.
Now preparing for her third National Senior Games, Debbie is excited to travel and compete with her friends. She doesn’t feel nervous (yet) and is focusing on giving it her best shot.
