When the National Senior Games open on June 14 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, nearly 130 Northeast Ohio athletes will be running, hitting, throwing, swimming and doing whatever else they need to do to during the 12-day biennial competition.
The athletes — all 50 and older — have been training for months, sometimes years, to prepare for the 20-sport, 800-event National Senior Games. From cycling to archery, pickleball to volleyball, the athletes will compete throughout the Albuquerque region.
Cleveland hosted the games in 2013, sparking interest among age 50+ athletes. Here are a few locals who are heading to Albuquerque:
Bob Martin
Willoughby resident Bob Martin, 68, was diagnosed with diabetes in 2012 and was told he could probably get it under control with diet and exercise. “I accepted that challenge and started to lose weight and get back in shape,” Bob says. “Swimming was my chosen exercise and I had been doing it on and off most of my life. I needed something to train for since swimming can get boring. I wanted to look for something to give me a goal to work toward.”
In 2013, Bob heard that the Senior Games were coming to Cleveland. “I found out that you needed to qualify in the State Games first to be able to participate at the national level, so my first goal was to train for the State Games.”
Since that time, Bob has qualified for four Senior Games in swimming. “I’ve been lucky enough to compete in Cleveland, Minneapolis, and this year in Albuquerque.”
Bob encourages anyone interested in the Senior Games to first compete in the local Northcoast Senior Games and the Ohio Senior Olympics. “The bottom line is to encourage seniors to live a healthier life,” he says. “It’s all about health and wellness.”
Nancy Burton Martin
For the National Senior Games 2019 in Albuquerque, Willoughby resident Nancy Burton Martin, 63, qualified and is participating in Women’s Doubles Pickleball with Mimi Wilson of Madison, Ohio, and Mixed Doubles Pickleball with her husband, Bob Martin.
Nancy has participated in many local North Coast Games, playing pickleball. She and her husband have also played pickleball in California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Kentucky, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania and South Carolina.
“In 2016, I qualified for Nationals in Women’s Pickleball and Singles Pickleball in the New Jersey State Games,” Nancy says. “However, I did not participate in the event in Birmingham due to a knee injury so this will be my first National Games as a participant and I’m excited about it.”
Her enthusiasm is contagious and for those interested in participating. She says, “Choose something you like or choose something you’ve never tried. You’ll meet the most interesting people.”
The Northcoast Senior Games offers bowling, billiards, softball, 18-hole miniature golf, archery, bocce, chair volleyball, fishing, cornhole and darts, among others. “There are 15 events at the Ohio Senior Olympics,” says Nancy. “For the State Games, find an individual or team event that you’re interested in, and train.”
Judy Fischlin
Judy Fischlin, 74, became involved in the Senior Games through the Northcoast Senior Games and has participated in many events, supported by her husband, Joe.
“In 2000 an ad appeared in the News-Herald, looking for ladies over 50 interested in playing Olympic softball,” says Judy, of Willowick. “I made the call and from there the adventures began. The team played in our first Senior Olympic State tournament in 2002 –- what a learning experience! This year in June, seven teams from our area are excited to be playing in the National Games in Albuquerque. I will be playing with the Silver Spirit 65 from Cleveland.”
After playing in the Senior Games, Judy organized and joined other softball teams in the area. “This year, I will be playing with the Ohio Tri-Stars 75, and several of the players are over 80,” she says.
Her travels have taken her to the National Senior Games in Virginia Beach, Pittsburgh, Louisville, Cleveland, Minneapolis and Birmingham. Her advice to others? “Never give up, seek new adventures and enjoy life.”
Margaret Briller is a freelance writer in Northeast Ohio who is now training for the 2021 putt-putt competition.
