Waycross native and Waycross-Ware County Sports Hall of Fame member Jewel Crews captured four gold medals in the 2024 Senior Golden Olympics.
The 90-year-old Crews medaled in free throw shooting, half-mile walk, clock golf and horseshoe pitch.
The annual event was held September 17-24 in Warner Robins.
“My sister, Elaine (Davis), and her husband, Danny, carried me,” said Crews. “They won’t let me drive like that, just around town.”
Crews has participated in the Golden Olympics since 1999 and hopes to compete again next year.
“The hardest was the free throw basketball. I do the granny shot,” said Crews, laughing. “I go to Trembling Earth (Ware County recreation complex). Several weeks before I had to go to the Olympics, I took my basketball up there and got them to set up the goal for me and I practiced some.”
Crews is no stranger to being recognized for her athletic prowess. The 1952 Waycross High School graduate played basketball for the Lady Bulldogs averaging better than 20 points per game her senior year and being selected to the 1952 All-Region team.
She is in the Waycross-Ware County Sports Hall of Fame, Atlanta Bowling Hall of Fame and the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame for bowling.
“I bowled in a tournament a long, long time ago where you had to bowl 225 a game or more in order to bowl in the tournament,” reminisced Crews. “It took me 20 years to win it, but I finally won the trophy after 20 years. Can you believe that? That’s the biggest trophy I have.
“You don’t ever give up,” asserts Crews, “just keep going That’s really proved it. That’s why I’m going to keep going as long as I’ve got my family to take care of me and go with me and take me. I’m blessed to be able to do it.”
Jewel Crews took 4 gold medals at the 2024 Golden Olympics in Warner Robins. Photo by EJ POND
