South Dakota Senior Games come to Aberdeen

ABERDEEN, S.D. (Dakota Information Now) – The South Dakota Senior Video games got here to Aberdeen on July sixth. Anybody 50 years outdated and up can compete in additional than a dozen sporting occasions.

These occasions embody basketball free throws, bean bag toss, golf, pool, observe, bowling and extra.

Howard Bich has cherished competing in sports activities since he can bear in mind.

”Once I was little, I used to bat rocks with a stick and I’d throw baseballs over our barn at house,” mentioned Bich.

Bich started taking part within the Senior Video games in 1996 when the age restrict was lowered to 50 from 55. He has competed yearly since.

”So, I principally compete in the whole lot that’s humanly potential to do in a time span and what my schedule matches into,” mentioned Bich.

That’s why he grew to become Govt Director of the South Dakota Senior Video games eight years in the past, however he had one situation.

”That was one of many issues, if I used to be going to be director, I nonetheless needed to compete,” mentioned Bich.

The Senior Video games, based on Bich, give these over 50 years of age the prospect to remain wholesome whereas additionally being a competitor once more.

“You don’t should be good at sports activities to do that. Our foremost purpose is to get individuals lively. And that’s the entire function of the Senior Video games motion nationally and statewide is to get individuals lively. We really feel that if individuals compete, they’ll be a bit of bit extra concerned with their health than what they’d be usually,” mentioned Bich.

This 12 months, nonetheless, can be Bich’s final as Govt Director. He’ll be handing the place off to Kelcy Nash on October 1st.

Arlene Bich, Howard’s spouse of 58 years, says she is aware of Howard will nonetheless be competing for years to return, as will she.

Arlene started taking part within the Senior Video games as a result of she didn’t get the prospect to be a competitor when she was youthful. She graduated highschool earlier than Title IX was handed in 1972.

”I actually needed to compete indirectly, however after I was youthful, I didn’t get to compete. That might have been so enjoyable. I simply would have cherished to have performed that,” mentioned Arlene.

Rivals should compete in a regional Senior Video games to make it to the state video games, which start in Watertown on September eighth.

Aberdeen’s occasions will run by means of July ninth, however different regional Senior Video games can be hosted this summer season in Speedy Metropolis, Sioux Falls, Huron, Brookings and Watertown.

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