Photos courtesy of the Westerville Senior Center
Making it past the 50-year mark doesn’t mean it’s time to throw in the towel.
The Ohio Senior Games, for those ages 50 and older, gives residents a chance to compete in a variety of sports – and art – related activities.
Also known as the Central Ohio Senior Games, the Ohio Senior Games will be hosted by the Westerville Senior Center for the third year in a row. There are almost 50 events yearly, so even the most competitive senior can find something to pique his or her interest.
The most popular sporting events are track and field and pickleball, but the Games also offer basketball, archery, canoeing, table tennis, darts, race walking, volleyball and much more.
In the arts division, contestants can submit nearly any medium, including written word, textiles, musical pieces, wood or stone carving, and painting. All of the pieces entered are then exhibited at the Westerville Community Center during the Opening Ceremonies.
“It’s a great opportunity for people who aren’t necessarily athletic to still compete,” says Christopher Shirring, program supervisor at the Westerville Community Center. The Westerville Games are the only Games in Ohio that offer this arts division.
The Games first began in the 1970s and have since spread across the nation. Ohio was one of the first states to be involved, and Columbus has hosted the Games for many of those years. Westerville Parks and Recreation itself has hosted since 2013. The central Ohio division is almost entirely volunteer-run.
The competition is split up by age and gender. Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded accordingly in both the athletic and arts divisions.
This year, Westerville isn’t just the host of the central Ohio Games. It’s also the host for the statewide Ohio Senior Olympics. This means that there are expected to be close to 600 athletes – a jump from the 200 or so in previous years. Even more athletes are expected in 2016.
“The reason for the jump in attendance is because in 2016 we’re not only the State Olympics for Ohio, but also Ohio's qualifying site for the National Senior Games,” Shirring says. “The National Games are hosted every two years and rotate around the country. In 2013, they were in Cleveland, and later this year (they’ll be) in Minnesota.”
The National Senior Games in 2017 will be held in Alabama.
A couple of notable athletes to watch for this year in the central Ohio Games are Sandra and Paul Rue. Sandra is the national record holder for her age division in both the 50-and 100-yard dashes, and Paul has medaled nationally in shot put and discus.
Virginia Sterkel is another inspiring story. Despite being in her 90s, Sterkel began competing in 2013. In her first competition, she competed in cornhole. The next year she added shot put. This year, she’ll be competing in those as well as a few others, with no signs of slowing down. She is coached by her grandson, and always brings a large cheering section with her.
According to Shirring, competitors can expect stiff competition, but also a very fun time.
“Some of the athletes have been competing against each other for decades,” he says.
For some, they are a reason to stay active, and for others, they are the stepping stone to the National competitions. But for all the participants involved, it’s a great event to celebrate what they can do.
Most of the events in the Ohio Senior Games have a blanket cost to compete, while some require additional fees. The price this year has not yet been confirmed. The events for the 2015 competition will be announced in April, and the Opening Ceremonies are scheduled for noon June 6 at the Westerville Community Center, 350 N. Cleveland Ave.
Taylor Woodhouse is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at hbealer@cityscenecolumbus.com.
