By Charles Prince

The North Jefferson News



Four local tennis players recently realized their Olympic dream. Two pair of doubles tennis teams qualified for next summer’s Senior Olympics in San Francisco, Ca.

Lilo Belton, Carmen LaFosse, Peggy Gattis and Lea Pepples will play tennis next July, hoping to garner a Senior Olympic gold medal.

Belton and LaFosse won district and then state titles in doubles in the 55-59 age group.

Belton also won the 55-59 singles title and will be looking to win two medals next summer.

LaFosse, who is 71, had to play down to be Belton’s partner, but the duo have won just about every doubles match they’ve played since teaming up just a year ago.

“I’m younger (58) and quicker,” Belton said, “while Carmen has more experience. We just complement each other. We make a really good team.”

Belton has qualified for the national Senior Olympics, but was always unable to attend the games.

This time, she’s determined not to let anything stand in her way.

“I’m going this time,” Belton said. “I”m not going to miss this one for anything. We’re going to San Francisco next summer and there’s no doubt about it.”

For Gattis, it was the first time she has qualified for the national games. She also qualified in swimming, so she’ll be attempting to medal in two sports.

Gattis, 65, and Pepples, 69, won the 65-69 age group at both the district and state qualifiers. The duo has qualified many times before and played tennis in the 2007 Senior Olympics, held in Kentucky.

Pepples won the singles title in the 65-69 age group and will be looking for two medals next July.