PEMBROKE — His football duties with the East Bladen Eagles are still several weeks away, but Michael R. Stallings, who coaches East Bladen’s kickers, was busy with football skills recently at the Regional North Carolina Senior Games.
Competing on the campus of The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Stallings earned a gold medal in the football throw for accuracy. He also went on to claim a gold medal in the softball distance throw, as well as the bocce competition to qualify for the state competition.
“It was fun,” Stallings said. “I’m looking forward to the next round of competition.”
That next round will take place between August and September, when the State Senior Games are held at various locations around Raleigh.
“I think I have a good chance to medal, but there are always a lot of good athletes there,” Stallings said. “I’ll be practicing.”
Stallings was also awarded a first place in the visual arts competition at the Regional Senior Games, which included mixed media, oil, acrylics, water color and drawing.
W. Curt Vincent can be reached at 910-862-4163 or cvincent@bladenjournal.com.