ATHHLEATEDS G OOFE ST HE RYEEAR
s strive for perfection
Welter will be unable to compete
in the 2018 Florida Senior Games,
presented by Humana, due to a
stroke he suffered on September
30 that affected the left side of his
body. Right after the incident, he
was paralyzed in his left arm and
leg and lost his sight. Since that
time, he has regained the use of
his left arm and leg and is gradually
regaining his sight, although still
legally blind.
“I’m walking a mile or more each
day and my sight is improving,” he
said. “I’m going to have to take
a year off from Pickleball, but I’m
going to be the Comeback Play of
the Year when I return. The doctors
are taking good care of me, and I’m
trying to get better.”
Welter credits the fact he was
airlifted by helicopter to the hospital
to receive immediate care and the
fact he was in very good health
from training to play pickleball at
the Huntsman Senior Games, for
saving his life.
Welter and Teel are the 47th and
48th Athletes of the Year chosen in
the 26 years of the Florida Senior
Games. Welter is the first Pickleball
athlete to win the FSG Athlete of
the Year award and Teel is the
second bowler to earn the honor.
Richard Merrill, a bowler from Lady
Lake, won the 2010 Athlete of the
Year Award. Teel and Merrill are two
of only five bowlers in history of the
Games to roll a perfect game.
Past Athletes of the Year
2018 FLORIDA SENIOR GAMES PRESENTED BY HUMANA · SOUVENIR PROGRAM · 39
Mike Welter
2016: Kathy Petrillo, Jupiter; John Horwath, The Villages
2015: Janet Brown, Lakeland; Rudy Vazmina, Sarasota
2014: Danuta Kubelik, Crystal River; Walt Deal, St. Petersburg
2013: Nina Hammer, Bonita Springs; Tom Bliss, Melbourne
2012: Linda Frisch, The Villages; James Richling, Port St. Lucie
2011: Essie Faria, North Miami; Segismundo Pares, Ocala
2010: Avis Vaught, The Villages; Richard Merrill, Lady Lake
2009: Patrice Hirr, The Villages; John Shultz, Inverness
2008: Suzy Nothhouse, Estero; Dean Davis, Fort Myers
2007: Claudette Braswell, Lake Wales; Larry Wallen, Jacksonville
2006: Sari Kisbany, Redington Shores; Roger Gentilhomme, Dunedin
2005: Patricia Sargeant, Melbourne; Andy McGuffin, Umatilla
2004: Lillian Webb, Sebring; Harry Carothers, Pinellas Park
2003: Madelaine “Tiny” Cazel, The Villages; James Anderson, New Port Richey
2002: Janice Lathouwers, The Villages; Allen Bjork, Sebring
2001: Sperry Rademaker, Floral City; Howard Hall, Port Charlotte
2000: Erika Messner, Clermont; Al Treichel, Spring Hill
1999: Patricia Bond, Bradenton; Gordon Johnson, Dundee
1998: Lucia Schatteleyn, Englewood; Donald Ritenour, Belleview
1997: Ethel Lehmann, Largo; Seymour Duckman, Daytona Beach
1996: Hope Fage, Largo; F.L. McFadden, Lakeland
1995: Mary Melehan, Englewood; Leonard Stone, Barefoot Bay
1994: Doris Prokopi, Land O’Lakes; Wayne Wakefield, Bradenton