Lee Calvert Tables More Medals

Lee Calvert is living proof that you are never too old to take up a new sport.

Having spent decades racking up medals in badminton, she  decided to try her luck at table tennis at last week’s Huntsman Senior Games in St. George, Utah. Sure enough, she returned home to the Palisades with not one, not two, but three medals around her neck.

“I’m the new girl on the block and partners are hard to find if you don’t know anybody, but I’m hoping to do better next time,” said Calvert, who turned 90 years young in August but has the energy and enthusiasm of a teenager. “If you don’t have fun at my age, when are you going to?”

In the 90-and-over ladies singles final, Calvert beat Dorothy Peterson of Mankato, Minnesota, in three straight games. She partnered with Patty Thomas of San Antonio, Texas, to reach the finals of the 85+ ladies doubles and teamed with Woody Gove from Oakridge, Tennessee, to earn another silver in the 80-85 mixed doubles division.

“It’s a whole new thing for me, but with table tennis I have no pain, no discomfort,” said Calvert, who has had knee and hip surgery. “You still have to move and make room for your partner in doubles, you have to serve with the ball in the palm of your hand. If you win, you win because you’re good. The pkayers use all sorts of cuts and spins. The ball is whizzing all over the place but it’s a much smaller area to cover than badminton.”

Calvert’s medal count in badminton is staggering: 42 golds and 21 silvers in singles, 41 golds and 25 silvers in doubles and 35 golds and 21 silvers in mixed doubles for a total of 185 medals — and those are just the ones she’s kept from 1988 to 2010. She might have more stashed away somewhere.

“It’s funny to be going around saying life begins at 90,” she said, laughing. “People get to that age and think it’s all over, but I need that adrenaline rush.”

Calvert stays in tip-top shape by working out four times a week at the Palisades-Malibu YMCA, taking Rita Ashton’s Fitness Forever class on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and a Core Fusion class on Tuesdays. “Life isn’t over until you’re in the ground.”

Calvert has been an active member of the Pacific Palisades Optimist Club since joining eight months ago and didn’t miss a meeting until last Tuesday. She  practiced for her latest competition by playing weekly with friends and willing young challengers at the Tahitian Terrace clubhouse.

While in Utah, Calvert roomed with fellow Palisadian Cynthia Cuza, who competed in the 70-74 age division. Cuza won a bronze medal in the same age category last year with doubles partner Rosemary Davi of Elsberry, Missouri.

“It was fun, we even went to the country dance together,” said Calvert, a Palisadian since 1962. “I enjoy the  travel.”

Calvert’s daughter Nancy attended Palisades High (Class of 1964) and had her 50th reunion in June.

Winning never gets old for Calvert and neither does she.