Three earn medals at Wyoming Senior Olympics

Last week, Thermopolis residents Sallie Wesaw, J.W. Bailey and T.J. Schoenewald travelled to Laramie to compete in the 2017 Wyoming Senior Olympics and each brought back some hardware with them

Wesaw, competing in the 80-84 age division, earned gold medals in several swimming events, including the 50-yard freestyle, 25-yard breaststroke, 50-yard backstroke, 25-yard freestyle, 25-yard backstroke, 100-yard backstroke, 25-yard butterfly and 100-yard individual medley. Medleys include butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle.

She also took gold in the discus, shot put and javelin events.

Bailey, competing in the 75-79 age division, earned three medals in field events, a bronze in discus and shot put and a gold in javelin.

Wesaw and Bailey feel like the event was lightly attended this year. Wesaw added they were very good games and Laramie "bent over backward" in their hosting of the event. She encourages anyone over 50 to participate in the games, as it will be "the highlight of their life."

Though some might think the Senior Olympics are a competition, Wesaw said it's not. Rather, it's a chance for them to better themselves so they can do their sports.

Schoenewald, competing in the 60-64 age division, earned gold medals in the 200-yard freestyle, 100-yard backstroke and 100-yard breaststroke, and a silver in the 100-yard individual medley.

As it is a non-qualifying year, Schoenewald said, the times in the events are not as important. The 2018 Olympics are a qualifying event, meaning those who compete have a chance to qualify for the 2019 National Senior Games in Albuquerque, N.M.

With regard to the individual medley, Schoenewald said when swimming 7,220 feet it was a bit difficult for him to get oxygen. He also noted there wasn't as many competitors this year, with only 16 or 17; a good year might see up to 27.

Schoenewald said Laramie was very organized in putting the Olympics together and were very gracious hosts. The city is also the site for next year's event, scheduled for Aug. 2-4, 2018.

Schoenewald also noted the speaker at the Friday banquet was Dave Denniston, the new head coach for the University of Wyoming's Swimming and Diving program. Schoenewald said he is inspirational, as he competed in the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Trials. Though injured in a sledding accident in 2005 that left him paraplegic, he went on to qualify for the 2008 Paralympic Games.