Locals headed to Summer Wyoming Senior Olympics

The 2018 Summer Wyoming Senior Olympics will be hosted at Laramie Aug. 2-4, and four local residents are among those competing in several events.

T.J. Schoenewald said this is his 11th year participating, and with a focus on swimming he will be in the 50-yard backstroke, 100-yard backstroke, 100-yard breaststroke and 500-yard freestyle.

Schoenewald said he had known about the events, but it was when Marion Bishop did a presentation at Kiwanis that he decided to participate. Marion and Glenn Bishop, he noted, are very active in the events.

For Lea Schoenewald, this is her third or fourth year participating, and she will be in the 5K walk. She noted when she first started there were separate events of the 5K walk and 5K run, and she did very well in her first couple, even winning the first one she was ever in. “I even beat the guys,” she said.

The events were then combined, and while there were obviously runners there were some who both ran and walked so those who were strictly walking were at a huge disadvantage and she stopped participating. Next year, she noted, National Senior Olympics is adding a 5K power walk event in which people are absolutely not allowed to run.

This year in Laramie will be a run/walk event, which Lea said is fine because she wants to see how she can keep up with everyone since she hasn’t done it in a while. This is a qualifying event for Nationals, but since the 5K power walk is new to Nationals next year she doesn’t have to qualify for it.

The Schoenewalds said the Senior Olympics are great because they encourage lifelong fitness and activity, and it’s a chance to meet some great people. “I’ve gone with him the last several years just to watch,” Lea said, “and I have as much fun as he does. We always see people we know and meet new friends. It’s a wonderful opportunity and activity.”

Glenn and Marion Bishop are also headed to the games this week. Marion has been a participant for 24 years, and started after a suggestion, and Glenn has been participating for 10 years. “I invited him to play pickleball,” Marion said.

As for events, Marion said when she first started all she did was swim but then she saw all of the sports available. She noted this is a non-competitive environment where participants are really encouraged to try new things. “It’s a good way to find out what you’re suited for.” She enjoys Frisbee golf, and her favorite is the triathlon.

This year, she said, they are cutting out the biking aspect, sticking to swimming and race walking. Marion is doing the long swims over 50 yards in freestyle, breaststroke and backstroke, while Glenn is do 50-yard events in the same strokes.

Marion said anyone who wants to sign up for the events needs to prepared for them. “If you’re going to do a 200 yard swim, you want to be doing at least 200 yards to get prepared for it.”

A goal of Marion’s has been to have the games in Thermopolis. Though we don’t have all the facilities here needed — including a bowling alley and a large enough pool — she’s looking at possible partnerships with neighboring towns, as in other competitions she’s gone to.

Marion said she loves the Senior Olympics as they are a motivator to work out and stay fit.