El Paso Senior Games

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Fun & games
Area seniors prepare for events

Bernadette Sedillos Self
El Paso Times
Friday, April 14, 2006

This slogan for the 24th annual El Paso Senior Games is "Get Moving." That's a message the participants take to heart -- and hope others will, too.

"The main reason I swim is to stay alive," said 75-year-old Tom Kimball, who will participate in many events when the Senior Games begin Monday.

The East Side resident and his wife, Rita, both of whom have been involved in the games for 12 years, were enjoying Fun Day activities last week at the city's Multipurpose Center, 9301 Viscount.

Saturday's Fun Day events gave seniors a chance to register for the games early and enjoy fun events without the heat of competition, said Julie Belcher, Senior Games coordinator.

Kimball, formerly a firefighter for 32 years, and Rita, who was a clerk in the El Paso school district, have health problems, but as with many other seniors participating in the Senior Games, their physical challenges don't put them on the couch.

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"I take this off, obviously, when I swim," Rita said of the oxygen tank strapped to her side.

"She does the backstroke," Tom said. He will be competing in about 20 contests during the games.

"We do it every year. It gives you a goal, and besides that it makes you feel good," Rita added.

Another participant, Lupe Uranga of East El Paso, was practicing free throws with other women.

The slender 59-year-old, who has been athletically active all her life, will compete in volleyball and basketball during the Senior Games.

"You want to stay active because that's how you stay healthy," said Uranga, who won 10 medals during the 2005 games.

She works out five days a week -- and loves it.

"I do racewalking and work with weights at home," she said. "I know I feel better because I'm active."

Other Fun Day participants planning to participate in the games are Armand Zahn, 70, of Deming and Janet Porter, 52, a teacher at Deming High School.

"It helps keep you young," said Zahn, who effortlessly threw washers into boxes. He'll compete in the high jump, pole vault, shot put and other track and field events.

Porter said that she'd told her high-school students that she'll compete in El Paso's Senior Games this month and that she found the students supportive.

"I think it's important to show kids that even when you're over a certain age. you still can be active and vital," Porter said.

Bufe and Mary Morrison of Northeast El Paso are also longtime Senior Game participants, volunteers and champions.

It was Bufe, in fact, who had the idea for the Fun Day event. He also helped create the Senior Games Hall of Fame and the Texas State Hall of Fame for statewide senior champs.

The former physical education coach -- he taught for many years at Huey Elementary School -- has earned 2,970 medals from 18 years of participating in Senior Games at local, state and national levels. The Morrisons also have competed in senior games in several states, including Missouri and Florida.

"It becomes kind of like an obsession," Bufe Morrison joked.

Bufe, 67, swims, walks and enjoys other activities. He spends countless hours helping Belcher, who also heads the Memorial Park Senior Center, coordinate Senior Game events.

Mary Morrison also lends a hand, and competes, too. She has nearly 1,000 medals.

Bufe Morrison has become a kind of historian for the Senior Games and carefully tracks the winners and record breakers each year. Some health problems challenge him, but he said, "You can't let all that stuff stop you from being active. You gotta do what you can."

Bernadette Sedillos Self may be reached at bself@elpasotimes.com; 546-6155