Local seniors grab gold at New Mexico Summer Olympics

Many local athletes brought home gold, silver and bronze medals from the New Mexico Senior Olympics Summer Games held at various locations across the state.

Nine members of the Valencia County Senior Olympics and Isleta Senior Olympics won championships in a wide range of specialties, including corn hole, shuffleboard, air rifle and table tennis.

It was a productive summer for Joyce Jojola, of the Pueblo of Isleta, who captured four golds and a silver in Las Cruces. Jojola, 64, is a state champion in her age category in cornhole doubles, Frisbee accuracy, Frisbee distance and softball distance.

“I’m thrilled about it,” Jojola said during a conversation at the Pueblo of Isleta Elders Center, grateful, “that I have the capability and the health to participate in such an event.”

Jojola, who would love to add pickleball to her repertoire if she can find a partner, works hard at a half dozen different sports.

“I’ve been pretty athletic since I was 5 years old and it’s the only lifestyle I’ve ever known to be honest,” said Jojola, who practices two or three times a week.

The next goal for Jojola is to recruit more senior athletes.

“We’re going to have a booth set up,” at Indian Game Day in October, hosted by Isleta, Jojola said. She wants to let “people know what’s available, the different sports and so forth, so we can get them started.”

Another consistent state champion is Adam Garley, of Los Lunas, who excels in cornhole and table tennis. Garley, 64, joined the Senior Olympics a decade ago and has stayed with it because of “the competition, the people and how friendly they are.”

Garley is a disabled veteran, who captured first place in cornhole at the National Veteran’s Golden Age Games in June.

“It’s good exercise for me,” Garley said. “Got to keep moving, stay loose.”

2025 Senior Summer Olympics State Champions (Provided by NM Senior Olympics)

Gloria Analla, Isleta: Shuffleboard singles

Joyce Jojola, Isleta: Cornhole doubles, frisbee accuracy throw, frisbee distance throw, softball distance throw

Ramona Montoya, Isleta: Swimming 500 yard freestyle, 100 yard backstroke

Theresa Padilla, Bosque Farms: Cornhole singles

Cynthia Jojola, Bosque Farms: Frisbee accuracy throw

Adam Garley, Los Lunas: Cornhole singles, table tennis doubles

Ronnie Hubbell, Los Lunas: Cornhole singles

Richard Jenkinson, Los Lunas: Basketball free throw

William Richardson, Peralta: Air gun rifle-supported

In addition, 11 area Olympians are registered to compete starting July 26 in the National Senior Olympics in Des Moines, Iowa. They qualified during the 2024 New Mexico Senior Olympics.

2025 National Senior Olympics athletes

Gloria Anaya, Isleta: Shuffleboard,

Debra Lente Jojola, Isleta: Shuffleboard

Joyce Jojola, Isleta: Cornhole

Shirley Jojola, Isleta: Power walk and shuffleboard

Richard Herrera, Los Chavez: Track and field

Phil Gregory, Los Lunas: Track and field

Sharon Tregembo, Los Lunas: Basketball and softball

Caroline Kearns, Belen: Powerlifting

Brenda Meister, Belen: Track and field

Carol Massegee, Peralta: Archery

Theresa Padilla, Bosque Farms: Cornhole

VCSO is promoting a series of cake walks at senior centers throughout Valencia County, complete with door prizes and light refreshments in the coming weeks.

The Fred Luna Multi-generational Center’s cake walk, with music from the 1950s, will be held Friday, July 25.

The cake walk at Belen Senior Center highlights music from the 1960s and is set for Monday, Aug. 18.

In Rio Communities, the Del Rio Senior Center’s event is scheduled for Sept. 19, featuring the rhythms of Salsa.

All three activities will run from 10-11 a.m.