Seniors compete at Olympics

Wyoming Senior Olympics Winter Games were held February 18-20 in Cody. Thermopolis area participants included Glenn and Marion Bishop, Joel and Jeri Farber, TJ Schoenewald, Dick Staiger, JW Bailey and Sallie Weesaw.   

All eight locals brought home medals. Glenn earned a gold medal in the 80-85 age group in the 50 free swim, 50  back  and 50 side, setting a new record for the 50 side.  Marion set a new record in all of her six swims in the 70-74 age group, taking the gold in the 50 back, 50 fly, 100 breast, 100 free, 200 breast and 200 IM.  Both Marion and Glenn took the gold in their respective age groups in the indoor mile walk and Marion earned the gold in the indoor mile run, the basketball free throw, hot shot and 3 point women’s competitions and a silver in the nordic 5K classic cross country ski race.  

In the men’s 55-59 age group, Joel earned a gold in the 10K nordic classic cross country ski race and Jeri took the gold in the 55-59 age group in the indoor mile walk. TJ brought home gold medals in his 60-64 age group in all six of his swims, the 50 back, 100 back, 100 breast, 50 fly, 100 fly and 100 IM. Dick earned a gold in the 75-79 giant slalom alpine skiing. JW took the bronze in the 80-84 indoor mile walk and Sallie took the gold in all of her six swims in the 80-84 age group, the 50 free, 50 fly, 50 back, 100 back, 100 IM and 200 IM.

For the next two years, the state event will be held in Pinedale.

The local participants hope to have more Thermopolis residents participate in the future. Its a gathering of friends who have fire within them to remain physically fit and hope to light the fire of others. A 98-year-old swim competitor from Cody, Helen Gleim, said, “It’s not about the medals, it’s about making a statement.”