For the second year in a row, TWIM made the largest splash at the swimming venue during the Washington State Senior Games. Seven TWIM Seniors swam in nearly every individual event offered. As in previous years, the swimming events were held at Briggs Family YMCA in Olympia. This year’s swimming celebration was held on Sunday, July 24.
This was the 25th year for the Washington State Senior Games. This year’s Games featured 23 sports, with most of the sports’ venues in the Olympia area. Of course, TWIM is all about the swimming, but thousands of seniors came from all over the state to participate in their sport of choice.
This year’s Games were a qualifying event for the 2023 National Senior Games which are to be held in Pittsburgh next June. State and National Senior Games are open to athletes aged 50 and above. Athletes who miss their own state’s games are allowed to qualify in any state’s senior games, or in a few other senior events, such as the Huntsman World Senior Games (held every October in St. George, UT).
Here is a rundown of this year’s TWIM athletes and their events:
Val Thompson swam a broad range of events including 25 Back, 25 Breast, 25 Free, 25 Fly, 50 Free, 100 Free, 100 IM, 200 Free, and 500 Free. Great swimming in all of those, Val!
Brent Barnes was looking good in the 200 Breast and the 500 Free. You were amazing in that Breaststroke event, Brent!
Steve Fogg gave us great performances in the 25 Back, 100 Back, 200 IM, 200 Fly, 400 IM, and 500 Free. You looked good out there all day, Steve, and we are always impressed with a guy who wraps up his meet with the 200 Fly!
Candace Jacobs, recently back from National Senior Games in Florida, was looking good in the 50 Free, 50 Back, 50 Fly, 100 Free, and 100 IM. Candace! Top-notch swims, all day long!
Tom Walker showed great stamina in the 100 Breast, 100 IM, 200 Back, 200 Breast, and 500 Free. Thanks for your leadership and guidance, Tom, and thanks for the spot-on stroke analysis you provide to your teammates!
Carl Haynie was amazing in the 100 Breast, 200 Back, and 400 IM. As always, the consummate winner with picture-perfect, lightning-fast strokes in all events!
Dan Underbrink rounded out the TWIM slate of swimmers with the 100 Back, 100 Breast, 200 Back, 200 Breast, 200 Free, 200 IM, 400 IM, and 500 Free. Dan also ran the 10K Road Race in the Games on Saturday, July 23. No sprinting for this guy. Endurance events only, and the more the better!
Detailed results for the meet (including splits) can be found at https://www.washingtonstateseniorgames.com/2022Results/2022.WSSG.SwimmingResults.pdf.
This year, TWIM took home 37 medals from the Games! Here is the breakdown:
- 25 Glorious Gold Medals!
- 9 Stupendous Silver Medals
- 3 Brilliant Bronze Medals!
A huge TWIM thanks to the Briggs YMCA and to all the Senior Games volunteers who pulled together to put on this great event for us. We surely appreciate your efforts!
— Dan Underbrink
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