Thursday was the perfect end to the 2015 Carbon County Senior Games.

Over 140 participants from Weatherly, Panther Valley, Lehighton, Jim Thorpe and Palmerton attended a banquet at Mahoning Valley Ambulance hall in Lehighton, to recognize the winner of the games, as well as reminisce with friends about memories that were made during the eight-day event.Northern Carbon County, comprised of Jim Thorpe, Panther Valley and Weatherly seniors, defended their 2014 title against Southern Carbon County, winning by just 14 points. The final score was Northern Carbon County, 689, and Southern Carbon County, 675.Michael Beshock of Summit Hill, who participated in the games for the first time on the northern team, said that he liked the games and urged everyone to try them out."Don't be afraid to come and join us," he said. "It's never too late."Ronald Prator of Lehighton, a longtime participant, echoed Beshock's sentiment."Camaraderie is what it is all about," he said. "You meet new friends and it keeps you young. It's amazing to watch everyone out there giving it all they got."As the banquet began, Anne Horrigan, coordinator of the games, welcomed and thanked everyone for making the games successful for another year."The senior games are recognized everywhere throughout the community," Horrigan said. "Everyone had a good time."A total of 198 people registered for the games.To break it down further, Jim Thorpe had 65 competitors; Panther Valley had 33 people; Weatherly had 11; Lehighton had 65; and Palmerton had 24.She urged the participants to bring their friends next year. She also thanked the managers of the senior centers, as well as the schools, municipalities and organizations who helped during the games.Horrigan also noted that James Ketchledge of Lehighton was this year's recipient of the Philip Steigerwalt Memorial Walk. Since 2007, when Steigerwalt collapsed and passed away while competing in the 1-mile walk, the senior games has recognized the bronze medal winner in the men's 60-64 category, the medal that Steigerwalt would have won.Following her welcome, Horrigan turned over the presentation to Carbon County Commissioners Wayne Nothstein, Thomas J. Gerhard and William O'Gurek, who addressed the participants and thanked them for making the games such a success."Congratulations to the north team as I am super proud, as is Mr. Gerhard, because that's our team," O'Gurek said."I am glad everyone had a great time. Wayne, Tom and I are on your team. We will be there for this generation which we said over and over again as it is the greatest generation. We love walking in and seeing you smiling and having fun. We're proud to be a part of it and we're proud of each and every one of you."Gerhard also congratulated everyone."You people care about what goes on here in Carbon County," he said. "We are here for each and every one of you. Thank you and God bless you all."Nothstein, who joined the Lehighton seniors this year in competition, was jokingly booed to the stage.He opened by dropping to his knees and begged for the south's forgiveness."I made a promise I couldn't keep," he said, noting that competition was harder than he thought. "Zero points, zero medals, I'm out of here."Nothstein thanked everyone for another fantastic year and said the commissioners will do everything they can to keep the program around for years to come."You're all winners," he said.Horrigan then awarded representatives from the Lehighton Senior Center with the Victor Pituch Good Sportsmanship Award and the Northern Carbon County Team with the Commissioners Cup trophy.Harry Miller of the Panther Valley team also gave one of his medals to Peter Desmedt of the Jim Thorpe team for being such a good sport during competition. The pair embraced and smiled as their fellow teammates cheered.Dinner was served by the Mahoning Valley Ambulance staff and entertainment was provided by DJ Thad Hager.