DATE: Friday, May 9, 1997                   TAG: 9705090659

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B6   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY PAT DOOLEY, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:   80 lines

SENIORS WIN RIBBONS, ADMIRATION OF YOUNGSTERS IN OLYMPIC GAMES

At 96 years old, Esther Cawthorne can't hear too well anymore.

But she sure can toss a softball, swing a bat, shoot a basketball, fling a beanbag and hurl a Frisbee. She also plays a pretty mean game of bridge.

Cawthorne, the oldest of 700 participants in this week's Norfolk Senior Olympics, demonstrated her prowess by picking up five first-place ribbons in her age group.

``I don't even try to keep up with her,'' said daughter Mary Clapp, 77, who finished first in her age group in the half-mile walk, 100-meter dash and discus. ``There's not anything she can't do.''

As Cawthorne and other participants lobbed softballs Wednesday afternoon, 16-year-old Thomas Skinner, one of more than 100 Olympics volunteers, said the experience helped him see old people in a new way.

``When I came out to volunteer, I never thought I'd see what I saw today,'' said Skinner, a freshman at Granby High School. ``You see people your grandparents' age, and you think it's the end of the road. But it's not.''

Many seniors stay active, watch their diets and look younger than their years, said Linda Strayhorn, a licensed practical nurse who has helped at the olympics for a half-dozen years.

``When you think of the elderly, you think of them at home, watching TV,'' Strayhorn said. ``But that's not true anymore.''

The local olympics, which ended Thursday, help seniors socialize, stay active and maintain a sense of self-worth, said event organizer Jean Saunders, a supervisor for Norfolk's Parks and Recreation Department, a sponsor of the games. Participants also become role models for other seniors and for young people, Saunders said.

Events include walking, running, jumping rope, swimming, golf, fish-casting, checkers, billiards and horseshoes.

Begun 14 years ago, the games are free and open to all Norfolk seniors, who are shuttled between activities at various locations, including the Jewish Community Center of Tidewater, Lakewood Park and Norview Community Center.

Many cities host Senior Olympics, but Norfolk's are the largest citywide games in Virginia, said Saunders.

Cawthorne, who played high school softball and tennis and taught in Norfolk schools for about 45 years, likes to practice shooting baskets at Ocean View Community Center, near her home. She said regular activity and healthful eating help her feel young.

``I don't drink. I don't smoke. And I try and take exercise,'' she said, a cluster of blue ribbons dangling from her neck.

Cawthorne, a widow, first participated in the Senior Olympics in 1985. That inspired her daughter Mary and son-in-law Gene Clapp, 80, to sign up the following year.

On Thursday morning, Cawthorne and Gene Clapp competed in the basketball free throw at Norview Community Center.

``If you don't stay active, you fade away,'' said Clapp, a retired aircraft inspector who played high school football at Maury.

Now he likes to hunt, work around the house, take care of the yard and repair just about anything mechanical.

Clapp also admits to chewing on a cigar every now and again. ``I've already had one today,'' he said after a round of free throws.

His final score: five of 15. But he'd already picked up first-place ribbons in discus, softball, Frisbee and beanbag.

Cawthorne, who made four baskets in 15 tries, was disappointed. In a practice round, she'd been 3-for-3, planting her feet wide, lowering the ball between bent knees and hoisting it into the air.

``When you get up to do it, you get tense,'' she said.

Until she hurt her hand a few years ago, Cawthorne swam regularly. Now she plays ball instead.

At the end of May, she and the Clapps will travel to the state games in Williamsburg.

But this time they'll form a foursome.

Cawthorne's granddaughter, Caroline Doonan, recently turned 51 - old enough to attend the state games, said her mother, Mary Clapp.

``Now,'' said Clapp, ``we have three generations.'' MEMO: For more information on the State Golden Olympics in Williamsburg,

May 28 to June 1, call 441-2109. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by RICHARD L. DUNSTON/The Virginian-Pilot

Nathaniel Brooks, 62, watches Esther Cawthorne, 96, compete in the

basketball free throw in the Senior Olympics at Norview Community

Center on Thursday. Cawthorne took home five first-place ribbons.

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