Experienced Athletes in Life and Pickleball

The Men’s Doubles Pickleball team of Richard Brend and Ernesto Incorvati, both of The Villages, became the first 90-94 doubles team to compete in the Florida Senior Games on Wednesday.

They also became only the fourth and fifth 90-94 age group athletes to compete in Florida Senior Games Pickleball since 2003.

Brend and Incorvati played five Men’s Doubles matches Wednesday, all against players in their 80s. Brend also played five Men’s Singles on Tuesday, all against younger players. He won one singles match and took another to a 12-10 match, in a losing effort.

In Women’s Singles competition, Deb Harrison, of The Villages, won her 11th Singles Gold Medal. By winning the 75-79 age group, 4.5 skill level gold medal, she has won a gold medal in five different age groups.

Harrison, the 2018 Florida Senior Games Female Athlete of the Year, won her first Women’s Singles gold medal in 2005, in the 55-59 age group. Over the years, she has won three golds in the 55-59 age group, two in 60-64, three in 65-69, two in the 70-74 and now the 75-79.

After winning a Women’s Doubles gold medal with Ruth Weil, Harrison has now won 40 gold medals combined, in Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles, dating back to 2005.

Mixed Doubles wraps up three days of Pickleball at the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County, with competition in 15 different age group and skill level divisions.
While eight sports will be played in Florida’s Sports Coast/Pasco County on Saturday, an added bonus for athletes will also take place.

The Florida Senior Games Saturday Spectacular, held on the outdoor concourse of the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus. From 12:00 Noon until 5:00 p.m., The Saturday Spectacular features a variety of food trucks, exhibitors, interactive athlete activities, a program to recognize the 2023 Florida Senior Games Athletes of the Year and local dignitaries.

Headlining the Saturday Spectacular will be music from Rhythm Express, a local high-energy, funky, dance-til-the-party’s over Show Band and Thunderbug, the lovable mascot of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The public and potential Florida Senior Games athletes are encouraged to attend this free event.

Next Five Days Schedule for the 2024 Florida Senior Games, presented by Humana
Thursday, December 5
Pickleball (Mixed Doubles), Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County, Wesley Chapel

Friday, December 6
Tennis (Men’s and Women’s Singles), Sarah Vande Berg Tennis and Wellness Center, Zephryhills

Saturday, December 7
Archery – Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus, Wesley Chapel
Bag Toss –Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus, Wesley Chapel
3-on-3 Basketball –Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus, Wesley Chapel
Basketball Shooting – Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus, Wesley Chapel
Dominos – Champions Hall, North Lauderdale
Powerlifting – Hyatt Regency Wesley Chapel
Saturday Spectacular (Celebration of Athletes) – Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus, Wesley Chapel
Swimming – Temple Terrace Aquatic Center
Table Tennis (50-69 Men’s and Women’s Age Groups) – Mebane Middle School, Alachua
Tennis (Men’s and Women’s Singles) – Sarah Vande Berg Tennis and Wellness Center, Zephyrhills
Volleyball (Women’s Competition) – Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus, Wesley Chapel

Sunday, December 8
Cycling (5K and 10K Time Trials) – Florida Polytechnical University, Lakeland
Swimming – Temple Terrace Aquatic Center
Table Tennis (50-69 Men’s and Women’s Age Groups) – Mebane Middle School, Alachua
Tennis (Men’s and Women’s Doubles) – Sarah Vande Berg Tennis and Wellness Center, Zephyrhills
Volleyball (Women’s Competition) – Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus, Wesley Chapel

Monday, December 9
Tennis (Men’s and Women’s Doubles) – Sarah Vande Berg Tennis and Wellness Center, Zephyrhills

The 2024 Florida Senior Games, presented by Humana, features nearly 2,400 athletes competing in 22 sports between now and December 15, in Florida’s Sports Coast/Pasco County, as well as Alachua, Polk and Pinellas County. Over 300 athletes have already competed in Softball and Racquetball competitions.

The 33rd Annual Florida Senior Games is a qualifier for the 2025 National Senior Games, to be held in Des Moines, Iowa, July 24-August 4, 2025.

The Florida Senior Games is a program of the Florida Sports Foundation, the official sports promotion and development organization of the State of Florida, presented in conjunction with Florida’s Sports Coast/Pasco County.