Five locals perform at Senior Olympics

“Senior Momentum, Use It or Lose It”, was the theme for the 2015 Senior Olympics held in Sheridan, where five Thermopolis residents competed in several events.  

Gloria Simmons spent her time in the pool, earning a gold medal in the 100 freestyle, 100 side stroke, and 50 side stroke and a silver medal in the 200 freestyle and 25 sidestroke.

Marion and Glenn Bishop both earned gold medals in the 1,500 racewalk, the 800 racewalk, and the 400 racewalk.  

Marion Bishop competed at the state level just one day after competing in the National Senior Olympics in Minneapolis, Minn. At nationals she was awarded a silver medal in the 1,500 racewalk, a 4th place ribbon in the 5,000 racewalk, a 5th place ribbon in the 200 IM, a 7th place ribbon in the 50 breast, an 8th place ribbon in 50 back and 8th place ribbon in the 100 free.

She signed up for the short swims, all 25 yds., in Sheridan and took gold medals in the freestyle, butterfly, back, breast, side and elementary back. She was awarded the Grand Champion medal for her 70-74 age group for her exemplary efforts.

Glenn Bishop earned a gold  medal in the 25 free, 50 back, 50 side, 50 free, 25 back and 25 side swims.  

T.J.  Schoenewald earned all gold medals  in the 50 fly, 50 breast, 50 back, 100 breast, 100 free and 100 back. He qualified for nationals in four of those events.

Sallie  Wesaw earned a silver medal in the shotput, a gold medal in the discus, the javelin, 1,500 free, 50 back, 25 fly, 200 back, 25 back, 100 IM, 50 fly, 25 free, 200 breast, and 100 back.

The Wyoming Senior Olympics program is for men and women 50 plus. Competition is in age groups of 50-54, 55-59, up thru 100-years old.  

Please call Gloria Simmons at 921-1030 for further details as to the sports that are available or go to http://www.wyseniorolympics.com.  

The Olympics will be held in Sheridan again in 2016, which will be a qualifying year for the NSGA which will be held in Birmingham, Alabama in 2017.  

Attendees commonly speak of enjoying getting to know their competitors as well as making friends.  

“Find something that you like to do and have fun with it,” says Harold Boch, a 95-year old 50 yard sprinter and gold medalist. “You will feel better mentally. You will feel better about yourself. You’ll feel more positive if you’re fit.

“I like to refer to this part of life as the last quarter mile. If you haven’t figured it out by age sixty five, you’re missing the boat.”

“You won’t find a negative person here at the Senior Games.,” said 85-year old Ceil Edrich. “You’ll find people full of vive and excitement about life. Talk to anyone and they will tell you how much fun they’re having.

“I think it’s a national myth that once we hit your 40s, 50s, or 60s we’re going to coast. No! You don’t need to do that. The way to stay young is to keep challenging yourself.”