Athlete Spotlight: Susan Lucas
By Searrah Herendeen
Athlete Spotlights highlight athletes that are competing for the first time, or are a returning competitor. We want to showcase the diverse sports community the Meijer State Games of Michigan has helped create and grown with. Today’s Athlete Spotlight features Susan Lucas, a returning Meijer State Winter Games competitor in Grand Rapids bowling.
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About Susan:
Susan grew up with her sister in a household of music and sports in Peoria, Illinois. Her father was a well-known jazz musician.
Her mother introduced she and her sister to bowling when they were eight and twelve years old. Susan’s interest in bowling really grew when she and her mother placed in the Peoria Women’s Mother/Daughter tournament in 1951!
Susan has been wearing her mother’s 1950’s bowling shoes for over 55 years! To Susan, they are her good luck charms.
In high school, Susan explored her father’s passion by joining the barbershop quartet called the, “Junior Misses.” They won the title, “Queens of Harmony” in the 1956 Sweet Adelines International Competition.
Later in life she married, Don, a barbershop quartet lead for over 60 years in the “Extension Chords.” They lived in Holland and she sang in the quartet called the “Dutch Treats” and traveled all over the country.
Photo courtesy of Susan Lucas
They decided to truly settle down in the U.P.. Susan raised, bred, and showed American Saddlebred and Arabian horses in Michigan and Wisconsin. Now she shows old VWs at car shows and roots for her favorite team, the Green Bay Packers!
What do you think your greatest bowling accomplishment has been so far?
Susan believes that her greatest accomplishment so far has been earning medals in the Meijer State Games of Michigan.
Susan has won three gold, one silver, and two bronze medals competing in the games!
Photo courtesy of Susan Lucas
What is a challenge you have experienced and overcome?
Susan claims that her greatest challenge in life was raising their seven children, “To be reflections of all that is right with the world and empathetic.” Their children have also inherited the love of music and have become guitarists, drummers, and actresses in the Allegan Community Theater.
how do you maintain a healthy living?
Susan states, “My attitude is upbeat, and I enjoy a faith-based lifestyle of sermons, service and singing…(all I need at 83!!).” Susan does machine exercises everyday, and bowls twice a week in Kalamazoo. Her diet consists of veggies, fruits, meat and whole grain. She decided to eliminate sugar and couldn’t be happier.
The Meijer State Games of Michigan is a multi-sport, Olympic-style event(s) that welcome athletes regardless of age or ability level. The Games embody the values of participation, sportsmanship and healthy living.
Interested in bowling?
https://www.stategamesofmichigan.com/bowling-winter
Interested in our Summer Games?
www.StateGamesofMichigan.com/summergames
Interested in our Winter Games?
www.StateGamesofMichigan.com/wintergames