More than 140 golfers teed up and several weightlifters took to the bench Saturday at Silver Oak Golf Course for the 12th Carson City Kiwanis Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day event.

The awareness day event featured a four-person scramble golf tournament and bench press competition. In previous years there had been a running event but was eliminated during covid. The hope is it will return in future years, organizers said.

Guest of Honor is Carlos Mendeguia with organizer Robey Willis.

Among the bench pressers, Ryan Wagoner was among a handful of competitors who did multiple lifts, each outdoing the previous ones, topping out at 375 pounds.

“We keep on going, each time pushing more,” he said.

Among the female bench pressers, Kathy Pincock did a bench press of 175 pounds in the age 55-79 division and Sheri McIntosh benched 115 pounds in the 18-54 division.

Event organizer and retired Judge Robey Willis who is in his 80s, benched 265 pounds. We will post all winners when the information becomes available.

Golfers Stephen Thompson and John Paulson were ready to tee it up Saturday, saying they came out to support the cause, the Kiwanis Club and this year’s guest of honor Carlos Mendeguia.

Also joining the tournament were golfers Marla and Sydney Williams, saying they’re playing the fundraiser to support the cause.

“It’s always a good time to play for the love of the game and in this case — for the cause. It’s a beautiful day to play,” said Sydney Williams.

Joining the festivities is this year’s event was designated Guest of Honor Carlos Mendeguia, a successful basketball and softball coach at Carson High School as well as respected owner of a local landscaping business.

“It’s exciting to be here. Kiwanis has been around a long time and are supportive of the community,” he said. “We’ve had some close friends who have passed away from pancreatic cancer, so to be here today for them and the cause is what it’s about.”

Started by retired Carson City Judge Robey Willis after having watched several friends die from pancreatic cancer over the years, he said the disease takes a toll with no known cure.

“I’ve never known anyone who has lived through it. We’ve got to give money to research to help end this. It is the worst one as far as people living, with 11 percent who live,” Willis said. “I’ve never seen one of those 11 percent.”