PISD Coaches Compete in Houston Senior Olympics.

By Olivia Dodson
Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications

PASADENA, TEXAS (June 25, 2008) One former and two current Pasadena ISD swimming coaches recently competed in the 20th Annual Houston Senior Olympics, and as a result of their performances, qualified for the Texas State Senior Olympics in September.

Former Pasadena ISD aquatic director and J. Frank Dobie head swimming coach Dennis Shippey, along with Pasadena High school head swimming coach Darla Kelly and Sam Rayburn High School swimming coach Robert Kelly competed in the local games at Lamar Senior High School in Houston.

Shippey, competing in the 60-64-year-old age group, won six gold medals in the 50, 100, and 200-yard breaststroke, 100-yard backstroke, 50-butterfly, and 100-yard individual medley.

Darla Kelly, competing in the 50-54-year-old age group garnered a silver medal in the 50-yard breaststroke and three bronze medals in the 50-yard backstroke and 50 and 100-yard freestyle.

Robert Kelly, also competing in the 50-54-year-old age group, won three gold medals in the 50, 100, and 200-yard breaststroke, a bronze medal in the 50-yard backstroke and 4th place in the 50-yard freestyle.

The top four finishers in each event at the Houston games qualified for the Texas Senior Olympics at Temple High School in Temple, Texas. The top three finishers in each event at the state games will qualify for the 2009 National Senior Games at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California in August, 2009.

The Houston Senior Olympics were sponsored by St. Joseph’s Medical Center and the Jewish Community Center. Athletes 50-years-old and over are eligible to compete.