Sequim Picklers represented at National Senior Games

Published 3:30 am Wednesday, August 27, 2025

Pauline Geraci, Don Church and Phil Milliman, all members of Sequim Picklers, participated in the National Senior Games in Des Moines, Iowa, from July 24 to Aug. 4. Two family members of Church and Milliman also participated.

Geraci participated in pickleball. She qualified after winning a medal in pickleball at the 2024 Washington State Senior Games. Her events at the National Senior Games included singles, mixed doubles and women’s doubles. She won gold in the women’s singles, 65-69 age group, level 3.5. That age group was the largest age bracket for pickleball.

Church and Milliman played in the men’s doubles 4.0 pickleball event, age group 70-74. They came in 13th out of 24 teams.

According to information provided by Geraci, the total number of registered players for pickleball was 2,240. Fifty states were represented, plus four countries.

Milliman also participated in Track & Field events. He has a long history of competing in Senior Games, specializing in pole vault and high jump. He won gold medals in pole vault in his age group at the 2011 and 2017 National Senior Games, according to Geraci. In the 2022 National Senior Games, Milliman won gold in pole vault in the men’s 65-69 age group and gold in high jump. At the 2025 National Senior Games, he won silver in the pole vault event and 8th in high jump.

Milliman’s father, Chuck Milliman, 92, participated in the pole vault event, winning gold. He also won silver in the long jump competition, silver in the 1500 meters, bronze in the high jump, and 5th in the 100 meters and 50 meters run.

Church’s brother, Mike Church, 71, came in 17th in the 5K run and 1500 meters, and 18th in the 10K run.

To qualify for the National Senior Games, participants must have medaled in a state senior games, not necessarily in the state where they reside.