Nebraska Senior Games wraps up 33rd year in Kearney

KEARNEY, NE — Dozens of older athletes are wearing medals after four days of competitions in Central Nebraska.

Kearney wrapped up hosting the Nebraska Senior Games for its 33rd consecutive year on Sunday. Tony Laird of Hastings ran in the 50-meter and 100-meter dash events on Thursday. He says the thrill of competition is still there, even in his 70-74-year-old age division.

“(There’s) still butterflies. They’re still there right before the gun goes off,” Laird said.

Laird says the Senior Games help encourage older people to stay fit.

“Nine years ago I decided I wanted to run in some games like this," Laird said. "I heard about them and really didn’t know anything them before. I entered and just got hooked.”

Kearney Parks and Recreation and the Kearney Visitor’s Bureau coordinates the Nebraska Senior Games. This year, 449 athletes from 24 states participated in sports ranging from pickleball to cycling to cornhole. The competition served as a qualifying event for the National Senior Games, being held next year in Pittsburgh.

Laird encourages other seniors to get active.

“If you don’t feel like you’re in very good shape, start walking. Find a track that’s open like this and see if you can walk around the track one time and see what you do," Laird said. "Do it for a week and try to increase your pace, get a stopwatch and see what you’re doing.”

About 100 workers and volunteers helped run the Senior Games.