by Dan Underbrink
While the rest of the world was watching the medals chase at the Paris Summer Olympics, many Washington Seniors were in the Olympia area, taking part in their own medals chase! The big weekend, when most of the Washington State Senior Games events took place, was July 27-28.
This year’s WSGs featured 25 different sports, in various venues, mostly around the Olympia area. Per the usual Senior Games protocols, State Games in an even-numbered year, are the qualifying event for the National Senior Games, which are held every two years, on the odd-numbered years. The 2025 National Senior Games will be held in Des Moines, Iowa, next summer.
What is a “Senior” and what constitutes “qualifying”? For Senior Games, a “Senior” is anyone 50 or older. One may qualify for the National Senior Games by placing first, second, or third in their State Games, or in another qualifying event, such as the Huntsman World Senior Games, or the Veteran’s Games.
The Swimming venue was The Briggs Family YMCA, in Olympia, and the swimming events were held on Sunday, July 28. Both State and National Senior Games are held in Short Course Yard (SCY) venues, but unlike USMS SCY meets, the Senior Games meets use a swimmer’s end-of-year age to determine the swimmer’s competition age group.
TWIM was well-represented this year, by five from our Senior ranks. Here’s who swam and their results:
Valerie Thompson (Women’s 70-74)
25 Freestyle – Silver, 25 Backstroke – Silver, 25 Breaststroke – Silver, 25 Butterfly – Silver, 50 Freestyle – Bronze, 50 Backstroke – Silver, – 100 Freestyle, Silver, 100 Backstroke – Gold, 100 Individual Medley – Silver, 200 Backstroke – Gold, 500 Freestyle – Silver.
Val was our TWIM WSSG superstar this year, competing in eleven events! I’m not sure how she did this, since the registration sheet mentioned a maximum of nine, but Val signed up for eleven and swam every one of them!
Steven Schwartz (Men’s 60-64)
25 Freestyle – Gold, 50 Freestyle – Silver, 100 Freestyle – Silver.
Steve is not planning to swim at NSGs in Des Moines next summer, but he came and turned out some great times at these WSSGs!
Bill Maibauer (Men’s 75-79)
25 Freestyle – Silver, 50 Freestyle – Bronze, 100 Freestyle – Bronze.
Bill and I talked a few times about the National Senior Games. I think he may be considering it!
Louis McDermot (Men’s 55-59)
50 Freestyle – Gold, 100 Freestyle – Gold.
Lou is a new TWIM member and was swimming his first meet in 35 years! He had a great time, and I think we will see him regularly at future meets.
Dan Underbrink (Men’s 65-69)
100 Backstroke – Gold, 100 Breaststroke – Silver, 200 Backstroke – Gold, 200 Breaststroke – Silver, 500 Freestyle – Gold.
I am definitely planning on attending National Senior Games next summer! The NSGs give you “Bonus Events”, which are any event of a shorter distance than one you qualified in, so I have additional choices of 50, 100, and 200 Freestyle, 50 Backstroke, and 50 Breaststroke.
TWIM Medal Count:
8 Gold Medals! 13 Silver Medals! 3 Bronze Medals!
Total Medals: 24
Hope to see you all soon!
Dan
