The Long Run – June 2022

Game On!

A Reunion Like No Other!

The 2022 National Senior Games presented by Humana brought all of the color, excitement and emotion we expected after the long pandemic delay. When the dust settled, our official registration was 12,065, making these the second largest Games in history!

The spirit of celebration permeated our special events, and the joy of playing sports was evident at the competitions held in the convention center and around Broward County. A high point was the lighting of the cauldron by women’s running legend Kathrine Switzer at the Flame Arrival Ceremony sponsored by Aviv. As the first woman to officially compete in the Boston Marathon in 1968, Switzer represented the 50th anniversary of Title IX and the legacy of our pioneering female athletes.

“It’s been a long road to get here, and it was not easy to put this together given all of delays and obstacles to overcome,” says NSGA CEO Marc T. Riker. “But it was very gratifying for our staff and volunteers to see how much these Games mean to the athletes.”

Congratulations athletes!

Games in the News: Sample Media Coverage Links

And the NSG CUP is awarded to…Washington, D.C. Senior Games!

The inaugural NSG CUP presented by KOHLER Walk-in Bath generated a lot of interest and talk amongst the states. Which state’s athletes would perform the best by percentage of medals won to the number of athletes they sent?

It turns out that the Washington, D.C. Senior Games took the prize with 40 athletes earning 34 medals (17 Gold) for a medal percentage of 85%. The rest of the top five includes Nevada (80.68%), Washington (77.99%), California (77.14%) and Pennsylvania (73.41%).

“We’re completely ecstatic about it!” was the response of D.C. Senior Games Coordinator Sorrell Greene. “It puts us on the map and shows how much we have been working to improve our Games.
We have great coaches, especially in swimming, who are providing really good training. Pittsburgh better be on the lookout – these athletes are going to be excited to go do it again!”

NSGA (and 1308 athletes) Become Guinness Record Holders!

2022 was a unique year for The Games as we saw two world records set, and neither was in our sport competitions!

The big news is that GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS was on hand to certify that we established the Largest Game of Freeze Dance with 1,308 people participating in the activity held prior to the Celebration of Athletes! The record attempt was organized by our partner Pacira BioSciences, and an officer from the Guinness organization was on hand to certify the result.

Read the full official media release here: New Record for Largest Freeze Dance Game

The other world record (pending on recordsetter.com) was set by athlete Andy “Mr. Impossible” Steinfeldt, who wowed the crowd at the Flame Arrival program by performing a side plank for over four minutes and sang Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville while he did it. Great job, athletes!

Results and Records

There was sun and fun and records done in Greater Fort Lauderdale!

The 2022 National Senior Games presented by Humana has closed the books with its athletes chalking up seven American records and 154 National Senior Games records  Five of the American records were set in Track and Field competition. In addition, 41 National Senior Games records were achieved in Track and Field.

 

The American records are:

LaTayna Glass, 75, Seal Beach, CA

  • Shot Put with a distance of 9.29 meters

Florence “Flo” Meiler, 87, Shelburne, VT (Shown in photo above)

  • High Jump with a height of 0.94 meters

Willie Banks, 66, Carlsbad, CA

  • High Jump with a height of 1.67 meters

India Bridgette, 60, Marietta, GA

  • 100 meter dash with a time of 13.64 seconds

Robert Whilden, 87, Houston, TX

  • 100 meter dash with a time of 15.83 seconds

NOTE: All Track and Field national records are pending USATF approval

 

In Swimming, one swimmer crushed two American record times:

Doug Springer, 75, Tucson, AZ

  • 50 meter breaststroke with a time of 33:89
  • 200 meter butterfly with a time of 2:48.81

NOTE: The National records that were broken are pending approval by USMS

Springer also set six National Senior Games records while sweeping up gold. In 2019 Springer broke the national record in the 400 yard Individual Medley plus six event records in Albuquerque.

Another swimmer, 70-year-old Kathleen Lewis of Allison Park, Pennsylvania, notched six NSG records to go with each of her gold medals.

In addition to the American records, 10 different sports had NSGA records. They include Archery (7), Bowling (3), Cycling (17), Golf (1), Power Walk (24), Race Walk (3), Road Race (1), Swimming (55), Track and Field (41), and Triathlon (2). CONGRATULATIONS to all of our amazing athletes!

2022 National Senior Games Results Page

Re Live The Games Anytime!

  • The Games Daily – Click on each day’s edition to find Growing Bolders daily video recaps, great stories and links for more. The Games Daily link (NSGA.com/2022Daily)
  • Photo Gallery – Linked from the Games Daily or click for Photo Gallery here. (NSGA.com/2022Photo)
  • Social Media – Follow National Senior Games (seniorgames1) on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to look back at the 2022 Games and to keep up with what’s happening for 2023.

Order Printed 2022 Results Book By July 14th

NSGA will produce a digital Results Book to commemorate the 2022 National Senior Games presented by Humana.  The digital 2022 Results Book will be available for download from the NSGA website in the Fall of 2022. Printed copies of the 2022 Results Book can be placed on our 2022 Results Webpage and book orders will be mailed in the Fall of 2022.  Cost is $10.00 per book (includes shipping & handling).  Online orders for printed 2022 Results Books will be accepted through, Thursday, July 14, 2022.  Individuals who purchased a printed Results Book during online registration for the 2022 National Games do NOT need to place another order.

June Athlete of the Month

Bob Griffiths, 63, Riverside, California

“Jamaica Bob” Blends Music and Sport with Spirit

“Don’t worry…about a thing…cause every little thing gonna be alright.”

Attendees to the 2022 Celebration of Athletes were soothed by the words of Bob Marley that were sung by track sprinter Bob Griffiths, who also energized the crowd with his words of encouragement. The teacher, worship leader and certified wellness coach had shared the same song in a Facebook video during the pandemic to reassure fellow athletes that we would be together again. There was no better way to acknowledge the hardships and celebrate the reunion than to invite Bob to reprise his song.

‘One of the things I have learned about myself is that I am good with providing words of affirmation to others,” Bob says. “So it was a wonderful opportunity during the pandemic, and again at the Games. Before I sang the Bob Marley song I chose to break down the meanings of the word ‘survivor’ to help everyone there appreciate what we have all accomplished.”

Though he has been in California for over four decades, the Island style comes naturally as Bob was born in Jamaica. He taught himself to play guitar in the 6th grade and started leading camp and church song activities. He performed smooth jazz in public and started singing Calypso and island music in the 90s. “I became Jamaica Bob, performing ‘Calypso for Kids’ as an amusing musical tour of the Caribbean. I’ve been playing this music at family shows and for kids for 30 years.”

Bob ran track, played flag football and basketball in high school and played volleyball and basketball at La Sierra University. He came back to play roundball in an over 40’s league and learned about Senior Games. “In 2008 I was watching Olympics and recalled a friend had mentioned there were sports for seniors. I found a track club in the area and got started. It was just a cool idea to compete against people my age.”

“I wanted to see how I would do now as an athlete,” he continues. “Kind of a reality check – was I really a good athlete or was I just from a school so small a turtle would be the fastest runner? I also didn’t realize how out of shape I really was. I had gotten a little fluffy.”

The runner has earned medals in California and Arizona but has yet to earn a podium place at National Senior Games. A near-tragic car accident last year set him back but Bob was just happy to be in Fort Lauderdale and able to run. His goals are built around self-improvement. “There are two benchmarks for me. First, I’d like to perform at an All-American level. Meeting that standard says something about your ability even if you don’t win the race. Secondly, I’d like to get into the sprint finals at Nationals.”

Jamaica Bob also makes the most of his trips to compete. “Some athletes don’t spend their energy going out and stay close to hotel to chill and think about their races,” he says. “I like being competitive, but I go to have fun too.”

He also links his music and athletics. “There is a therapeutic value of music to overall well-being,” he explains. “It helps me to be relaxed and ready to take on training and competition.”

On reflection, Bob appreciates that his performance was for a unique audience of all athletes. “That was a cool deal. As an athlete I’m just one among many and I wasn’t very competitive this year after the accident. Regardless of what place we come in we are all athletes, and we’ve all come a long way. That made singing at the celebration a special experience.”

What’s YOUR story? To submit yours, or to nominate a fellow athlete, Please Click Here.

3 Ways You Can Maximize Your Off-season

This informative article comes from KOHLER® Walk-In Bath, a proud National Senior Games partner.

The competition may be over, but for athletes looking to gain a competitive edge, it’s when the real work begins. The off-season is the perfect time to hit the refresh button and lay the groundwork to set a new PR. Learn how you can head into your next competition season better than ever with these 3 tips.

1. Rest To Avoid Burnout

Once the season is over, it’s time for some well-deserved physical and mental rest. This 3- to 4-week period allows your body to recover from the season’s efforts and your mind to recharge from the competitive pressure. Active rest is key here, so you don’t lose your hard-earned gains.

2. Perfect Your Form To Prevent Injuries

Without the rigorous demands of competition, you can really focus on the basics. Fine-tuning your form goes a long way toward preventing injuries when more intensive training resumes. Perform a series of technical drills a few times each week to improve your biomechanics and efficiency.

3. Cross-Train To Build Strength

Interested in testing your skills at a different sport? Mix up your exercise routine to become a more well-rounded athlete. Workout variety prevents overuse injuries, conditions different muscles and staves off boredom. Try a new sport to get new muscles firing while enjoying the fun of leisurely competition.

For more ways to recover after a game or race, visit the Gracious Living blog.

*Note: Please use your best judgment and/or consult your physician before modifying a workout routine.

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NSGA Sports Partners

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“Jamaica Bob” Blends Music and Sport with Spirit June 2022 Athlete of the Month

Bob Griffiths, 62, Riverside, California

“Don’t worry…about a thing…cause every little thing gonna be alright.”

Attendees to the 2022 Celebration of Athletes were soothed by the words of Bob Marley that were sung by track sprinter Bob Griffiths, who also energized the crowd with his words of encouragement. The teacher, worship leader and certified wellness coach had shared the same song in a Facebook video during the pandemic to reassure fellow athletes that we would be together again. There was no better way to acknowledge the hardships and celebrate the reunion than to invite Bob to reprise his song.

‘One of the things I have learned about myself is that I am good with providing words of affirmation to others,” Bob says. “So it was a wonderful opportunity during the pandemic, and again at the Games. Before I sang the Bob Marley song I chose to break down the meanings of the word ‘survivor’ to help everyone there appreciate what we have all accomplished.”

The Island style comes natural as Bob was born in Jamaica. He taught himself to play guitar in the 6th grade and started leading camp and church song activities. He performed smooth jazz in public and started singing Calypso and island music in the 90s. “I became Jamaica Bob, performing ‘Calypso for Kids’ as an amusing musical tour of the Caribbean. I’ve been playing this music at family shows and for kids for 30 years.”

Bob ran track, played flag football and basketball in high school and played volleyball and basketball at La Sierra University. He came back to play roundball in an over 40’s league and learned about Senior Games. “In 2008 I was watching Olympics and recalled a friend had mentioned there were sports for seniors. I found a track club in the area and got started. It was just a cool idea to compete against people my age.”

“I wanted to see how I would do now as an athlete,” he continues. “Kind of a reality check – was I really a good athlete or was I just from a school so small a turtle would be the fastest runner? I also didn’t realize how out of shape I really was. I had gotten a little fluffy.”

The runner has earned medals in California and Arizona but has yet to earn a podium place at Nat

ional Senior Games. A near-tragic car accident last year set him back but Bob was just happy to be in Fort Lauderdale and able to run. His goals are built around self-improvement. “There are two benchmarks for me. First, I’d like to perform at an All-American level. Meeting that standard says something about your ability even if you don’t win the race. Secondly, I’d like to get into the sprint finals at Nationals.”

Jamaica Bob also makes the most of his trips to compete. “Some athletes don’t spend their energy going out and stay close to hotel to chill and think about their races,” he says. “I like being competitive, but I go to have fun too.”

He also links his music and athletics. “There is a therapeutic value of music to overall well-being,” he explains. “It helps me to be relaxed and ready to take on training and competition.”

On reflection, Bob appreciates that his performance was for a unique audience of all athletes. “That was a cool deal. As an athlete I’m just one among many and I wasn’t very competitive this year after the accident. Regardless of what place we come in we are all athletes, and we’ve all come a long way. That made singing at the celebration a special experience.”

 

Read more
No Comments