Tennessee Amigos Win Gold At National Senior Olympics



Tennessee Amigos Win Gold At National Senior Olympics
GOLD MEDALS ON THE PODIUM - Tennessee Amigos 65+ basketball team poses on the podium receiving gold medals. From left are former Auburn High School basketball athlete Mary Jones Kelly (23), Jane Lewis, Mary Burgin, Josephine Farmer. Helen Armstrong, Madge Susong, Carolyn Landreth and Sylvia Smith.

In the world of sports, one thing that Cannon County is known for is its basketball.

Mary Jones Kelly played four years at Auburn High School on the basketball team and graduated in 1958. Now 51 plus years later she is still playing. Her team the Tennessee Amigos just won a national championship.

The 65-plus team that won the title was actually an all star team from Tennessee. The Smoky Mountain Mamas of Knoxville captured the gold medal in the state, but were combined with the silver medal team, the Tennessee Amigos, to form one all star team to take to the nationals.

Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA was where the games were held. The Amigos not only won the gold, but went undefeated in the nine games played Aug. 4-6. They defeated the defending national champions of 2007 the Michigan Spirits 29-27, in overtime.

Along the way the Amigos defeated teams in pool play from Connecticut 35-30, New Mexico 27-17, California 41-11, and Pennsylvania 40-19. In the second round on Day 2, the team added wins over New Mexico Canyon Nets 35-16, North Carolina 42-17 and Oklahoma 34-10.

In the Final Four the Amigos met the Connecticut team again and defeated them 29-20. In the championship game against Michigan, the battle went to overtime with the Amigos won.

The Tennessee Amigos were honored to wear donated uniforms which once belonged to the Tennessee Lady Vols.

"Long Live the Challenge" was the slogan for the 2009 National Senior Games, founded in 1985. Promoting healthy lifestyles for adults over age 50, the event is the largest multi-sport event in the world.

Kelly loves the hardwood and the game of basketball. During her high school days she played guard-defense. Her offensive skills have developed and she averaged double figures in the nationals.

She also feels fortunate to have the health and ability to be competitive and attributes much of it to the work ethic learned growing up on her family's farm in Auburntown. The guidance provided by her high school coaches Jerry Gaither, William Sadler and the late Charles Lemay will long be remembered.

Other than competing whenever time allows, Kelly enjoys helping with Upward Basketball. It was an honored to be asked and she is on the board of directors of Upper Cumberland Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville has recognized the Tennessee Amigos and have a display honoring them in the rotunda. The Hall of Fame's motto is: Honor the Past - Celebrate the Present - Promote the Future.