Grandma And Grandpa Get the Cheers At Washington’s Senior Games

senior games
The senior games will be competing at 25 sites throughout Thurston County between July 24 - 27. Photo credit: Burton Johnson
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By Gail Wood

oly fed sponsorThe one-time cheerer has become the cheered. It’s role reversal.

Because of the Puget Sound Senior Games, the grandparent who once cheered for the grandchild to get a hit, score a basket or make a tackle, they are now the ones getting the cheers, the “that away” yells.

“All of us, at this age, have had kids and grandkids that we’ve supported at games,” said Jack Kiley, president of the Puget Sound Senior Games. “This reverses that. You see grandkids cheering on their grandmother as she’s swimming to the finish in the 100 meters.”

There’s going to be lots of cheering.  From July 24 – 27, the Washington State Senior Games will organize 25 events at sites throughout the South Sound, drawing over 2,300 contestants.

senior games
The senior games will be competing at 25 sites throughout Thurston County between July 24 – 27. Photo credit: Burton Johnson

From track, where 97-year-old George Rowswell will again be throwing the shot put, to swimming and softball, there will be competitors from across the Northwest entered. Since the inception of the Senior Games 18 years ago, turnout has grown from 183 in all sports in its first year to 2,207 two years ago. Kiley is expecting an even bigger turnout this year.

“We’ve grown a lot,” said Paul Kelly, commissioner for the field events in track. “These games are among the biggest attendance in the nation.”

Kelly, who has helped put on the event each year as a volunteer since its inception, credits the huge turnout to the quality of the organization. The turnout and the passion shown in athletes involved has kept Kelly coming back year after year. He plans on retiring this year.

“I have a lot of passion for it,” Kelly said. “I’m more of a field events guy. I was never a runner. I was  a thrower. There isn’t any other place in the world that I’m happier than at the track. I’m your classic track rat.”

The mission of the Washington State Senior Games hasn’t changed. It’s about fitness, about getting senior citizens off the couch and into some sport.

“Our fundamental theme has always been to get off the couch,” Kiley said. “You probably did something in high school or college. Why don’t you think about getting back to that?”

senior games
Pat Kenworthy (161) takes the lead in the 5k road race and doesn’t look back, winning the race and the 50-54 age division with a time of 19:08.3 last year. Photo by Burton Johnson.

The Senior Games, with its wide variety of sports, offers plenty of reasons to get off the couch. The events for this year’s Senior Games are archery, basketball, badminton, bowling, cowboy action shooting, cycling, dancing, golf, pickleball, power walking, race walking, racquetball, 5 & 10K runs, rock climbing, shuffleboard, soccer, softball, swimming, ping pong, tennis, track, trap shooting and volleyball.

Track, after drawing about 20 competitors in its first year, has drawn as many as 236, making it one of the more popular events. Softball, with about 600, has the biggest turnout.

Typically, at the end of the 800 meters or after a point in tennis, their will be a pumped fist, a celebration. Even if they’re gray haired or no haired, that inner drive to win hasn’t faded.

“Absolutely,” Kiley said. “They aren’t going to give in. They are going to do whatever it takes. They’re going to go kicking and screaming.”

There is a perception that if you’re older than 60 then you are too old to care or to old to try. Kelly said there will be plenty of examples this week contradicting that perception.

“I don’t think you ever get rid of those competitive juices,” Kelly said. “I think they’re always going to be there. To get the opportunity to get out there and do it against people your age really sharpens up the competitive drive.”

senior games
Joe Gilfillan blasts out of a sand trap on hole #9 during the senior games. Photo by Larry Stranz

Kelly said the heart of the Senior Games is “health and well being and fitness” for people over 50. The average age of entrants is the late 60s. But it’s not about winning. It’s about getting off the couch.

“Our games need not to be intimidating and welcoming to anyone who wants to come out and do it,” Kelly said.

Rowswell, who coached the throwing events at North Thurston High School from when the school opened in the 1950s up until three years ago, is the oldest entry. He continues to inspire.

“You won’t find any more committed seniors than that,” Kelly said.

Kiley has been a driving force to the Senior Games.

“He’s good at it,” Kelly said. “He does an incredible job. I don’t know where he gets all the horsepower to do what he does, but he does it.”

Kelly encourages people over 50 to join in on the fun, fellowship and friendly competition. He wants them to sign up with a friend and start training at the South Sound YMCA, health club, fitness center or in your own home. The Washington State Senior Games is a registered non-profit organization that relies on individual and corporate financial contributions to continue to provide these games.

For more information visit pugetsoundgames.com.

 

 

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