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The "young cats" are finally free of Melvin Henderson.

As for the masters field at the 28th National Veterans Wheelchair Games?

Their trouble's just starting.

The 48-year-old Fort Myers resident, who has won 29 medals since discovering his "lifesaver" 15 years ago, will compete in the hand-controlled powerchair 200, 400, slalom and relay as part of the festivities July 24-30 in Omaha, Neb.

He'll take part in the bowling competition, too, though he admits, with a laugh, that it was the youth on the lanes last year that finally convinced him to head to the 40-and-older division.

"You gotta respect them, man," he said. "I'm bad, too, though. I practice everyday."

As if you needed to hear Henderson say it to know he'll likely come home with some gold.

Last year, he took first in both the 200 (57.62 seconds) and as part of a three-person team in the power chair relay (4:02.88).

He's been "pounding the pavement" ever since, working year-round to solicit donations and sponsorships to pay his own way to Omaha.

He can't rest, he said, because the annual event has become a passion since he was paralyzed in a car accident in the Florida panhandle 20 years ago.

Because he'd served almost seven years in the Army, he did his rehabilitation at a Veterans Administration facility, where he learned to live without the use of his legs, the full use of his right arm and taught himself to become left-handed over the next six months.

He's maintained an athletic and often competitive lifestyle since, discovering the Games when a nurse at a facility in Tampa suggested he check it out.

"The thing is, life goes on," he said. "Just 'cause I got knocked down, I didn't get knocked out. I try to show people that God left you here for a reason. You've gotta have joy every morning, and don't let anybody take that away."

If you'd like to help Henderson get to Omaha and continue inspiring other disabled veterans, contact him at (239) 745-7342, or send donations to 6226 Demery Cir., Fort Myers, FL 33916.

"Every bit helps," he said, "and I thank you for it."

* * *

As if you local anglers needed another reason to cast your lines in the upcoming Back Country Classic, now you can get the whole family involved.

Organizers have just announced the addition of a Kids Division, open for children under 14, at a cost of $150 when paired with a paid adult angler.

Spots are filling fast for the event, the second leg in the popular Caloosa Tournament Series, which will be held on July 25-26 at its new site, the Port of the Islands Resort & Marina in Naples.

Up to $15,000 is available in cash and prizes for anglers competing for the biggest snook and redfish, with every angler receiving a custom fishing shirt, hat and other souvenir items.

All competitors will also enjoy an open bar during check-in and two great dinners with complimentary Bud beers. Qualifiers will be invited to compete in the Caloosa Grand Championship, to be held at Pink Shell Beach Resort & Spa on Fort Myers Beach in November, where $45,000 in cash and prizes will be up for grabs.

All proceeds benefit athletic scholarships at Florida Gulf Coast University.

For more info, call director Ron Riley at (239) 671-9347 or visit www.dingdarlingdays.com for updates or call the refuge at (239) 472-1100.