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Whittier man breaks records at N.C. Senior Games
By Stephanie Salmons
Whittier resident Andrew Smith broke two state records during the North Carolina Senior Games last month in Raleigh.
Smith set a new record in the 5K race-walk and the 1,500-meter race walk – breaking records he set during the 2007 statewide Senior Games.
According to Smith, the difference between race walking and running is that the participant must keep a straight knee when the heel hits the ground, and at least one foot on the ground at all times. During the race, judges are placed along the course to look at form and check that each participant has one foot on the ground, Smith said.
Race contestants can get three warnings before being disqualified, he said.
Andrew Smith of Whittier broke state records in the 5K and 1,500-meter race walk last month at the N.C. Senior Games in Raleigh. This is Smith’s second year of participation in the Senior Games. Local competitions – the “Smoky Mountain Senior Games” – are held in April, and the state games are held in September.
Smith took first place in the 1,500-meter event with a time of 7 minutes, 26 seconds, which eclipsed his 2007 record time of 7 minutes, 34 seconds. He took first place in the 5K race walk with a time of 26 minutes, 38 seconds, which bettered his previous record of 27 minutes, 13 seconds.
Smith began race walking in 1988 when he was living in New Mexico.
“I read an article about it and decided to try it,” he said.
A five-time New Mexico state champion, he competed in the National Masters Track championships from 1989-1993 and in 2007 and 2008. He placed second in the 5- and 10-kilometer race walks the last two years.
Smith said that he has also competed in four World Masters championships, in 1991, 1995, 1997 and 2007 and in a number of other competitions.
After a lull in competing, Smith said he got back into the sport two years ago and lost some 60 pounds in four months before he began competing again.
This is the second year he has participated in the senior games, and he said he’s excited about beating his previous times.
“I was surprised on my 1,500-meter time,” Smith said, “but I was really pleased with my time on the 5K race.”
This year’s state Senior Games is a qualifying year for the national Senior Games, Smith said, which means he’s eligible to take part in the national event to be held in San Francisco; however, he said he’ll likely be in Finland and unable to compete.
For Smith, who has participated in the Senior Games for two years now, the games provide motivation to get active.
“It’s to keep myself motivated to stay physically fit,” he said.
The Senior Games, both at the local and state levels, is also a good way to get to know other people, he said.
“It’s a lot of fun to meet people,” he said. “It’s a camaraderie there. It’s not competing against people, you’re encouraging people.”
The main purpose of the Senior Games is to get people active, he said
“People 55 and older can get out and try new things,” he said. “At least come out and see what’s going on. It’s not super competitive, and it’s neat to see people do these things.”
According to Dora Caldwell, youth and senior program coordinator for the Jackson County Recreation and Parks Department, some 60 people participated in the local “Smoky Mountain Senior Games” and nearly 35 winners made the trek to Raleigh for the state competitions.
The senior games offer participants the chance to compete in both the athletic arena and arts categories such as poetry, crocheting, quilting and wood crafting, Caldwell said.
“There are a variety of activities, and it’s a good way to display talents,” she said. “It’s just a time to have fun and promote fitness in seniors.”
North Carolina’s Senior Games are open to individuals age 55 and up. The oldest participant in the local games this year was in his mid-80s, Caldwell said.
Registration for local games begins in March, Caldwell said, with the games traditionally held the last week in April. State games are held the last week in September.
Smith reiterated that it’s not about the competition.
“It’s a fun way to try new things,” he said. “The most that’s going to happen is that you have fun.”
According to Caldwell the county Recreation Center in Cullowhee can offer advice to participants.
“If you don’t know, we can show you,” she said, adding again that the Senior Games are a great way to have fun, meet new people and stay active.
In addition to Smith, other Smoky Mountain Senior Games winners who won at the state games include: Susan Bullis, gold medals in 100 yard breaststroke, 50 yard breaststroke, 50 yard butterfly and silver medal in 100 yard individual medley; Simon Goldstein, gold in 200 yard butterfly, silver in 100 yard butterfly and 100 yard individual medley, 200 yard individual medley and 50 yard butterfly; Robert Hendricks, gold in football throw, silver in discus and bronze in spin casting; Rita Lamanna, gold in spin casting, bronze in tennis singles; Willard McCoy, silver in discus; Woodie McCoy, gold in discus, bronze in shuffleboard; Annie Owens, bronze in basketball shooting, football throw; Dorothy Rowland, silver in football throw; Florence Stutsman, gold in standing long jump, silver in running long jump, bronze in 100 meter dash; and Jesse Welch, silver medal in horse shoes.
There were more than 3,200 participants in the state games, Caldwell said. For more information about Senior Games, call Caldwell at 293-3053.
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