Swimmers take center stage at Washington State Senior Games

Dozens of swimmers competed in the annual Washington State Senior Games swim meet on Sunday, July 26.

The swim meet was held at the Timberline High School swimming pool in Lacey. 

Swimmers were divided into different age brackets for the one-day event. A swimmer's division was determined by their age as of Dec. 31, 2026, according to the Senior Games website.

All participants must be at least 50 years old to compete. The oldest competitor in the event was 96 years old. 

“Swimming is a lifelong sport. There are people here who started swimming in the 1930s and they are still swimming now. It’s a really cool event and to have the kids help out and see that swimming doesn't end at high school or even at the end of college. You swim your whole life,” said Henry Valz, who is the Swim Commissioner of the Washington State Senior Games and Olympia High School Swim and Dive Head Coach, on Sunday.

Furthermore, the top three swimmers who set the best times in their age division’s event qualified for the National Senior Games in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 2027.

This year’s swim meet featured the following events:

• Backstroke: 25 yards, 50 yards, 100 yards and 200 yards
• Breaststroke: 25 yards, 50 yards, 100 yards and 200 yards
• Butterfly: 25 yards, 50 yards, 100 yards and 200 yards
• Freestyle: 25 yards, 50 yards, 100 yards, 200 yards and 500 yards
• Individual Medley: 100 yards, 200 yards and 400 yards

Competitors react

Lake Stevens resident Kirby Schaufler has been competing in the swim meet for the past 15 years. This year he competed in nine events, where he earned five gold medals and four silver medals.

Schaufler said he appreciates the work volunteers do to ensure the swim meet runs smoothly.

“It’s a great group of volunteers that runs the show. They always do a great job,” he said.

Enumclaw resident Matt Bittner relishes the experience of competing in the meet year after year.

“I enjoy it. I’ve come down here the last six or seven years to do it and I enjoy it. I have fun. It’s competitive without being too aggressive about it. Everybody’s here to have fun and I think they’re having fun,” said  Bittner, who earned a silver medal in the men’s 65-69 age division 100 yard freestyle race.

Olympia resident Valerie Thompson competed in 12 events on Sunday, and earned five gold medals, one silver medal and three bronze medals.

When describing her overall performance in the swim meet, Thompson said, “ I did good, I’ve  got more endurance than I got speed.”

Washington State Senior Games

The Washington State Senior Games, now in its 29th year, is the largest Olympic-style, multi-sport event in Washington.

This year's games run from June 21 to Sept. 13  at various sites throughout South Sound. The purpose of the event is to keep individuals healthy and productive.

The Washington State Senior Games is an all volunteer 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to promote health and fitness throughout the year for people from 50 years of age to 100-plus years of age through participation, competition and education.

“As a volunteer and a board member, I enjoy being able to help provide this opportunity for people who are 50 years of age and better. It’s amazing the number of people that are still active in all of these sports. It’s just nice to be a part of it,” said Nancy Moss, who is Secretary of the Washington State Senior Games.

The Senior Games is an open competition, with all residents of Washington, as well as athletes from other states and countries able to participate.