Senior Games set for Aug. 21 to 24 in Perryville

The 14th annual Southeast Missouri Senior Games in Perryville, Mo., are set for Aug. 21 to 24, and event organizers promise a good time for athletes as well as spectators.

"The great thing about watching the Senior Games is seeing their motivation and watching them have that interaction," says Chad Unterreiner, league and fitness coordinator at the Perry Park Center, where most events will be held. "It's all for fun, but there's a competitive nature to it."

The registration deadline has passed, but Unterreiner encourages people of all ages to come cheer on the athletes. Games include bowling, shuffleboard, washers, horseshoes, swimming, track and field events, golf, weightlifting and more. Athletes must be at least 50 years old to compete, but age divisions extend into the upper 80s. Medals will be awarded after each event to the first-, second- and third-place finalists, male and female, in each age division.

Art Tayon, age 81, led efforts to establish the Senior Games in Perryville 14 years ago. He had participated in St. Louis games for many years, even after moving to Perryville in 1992, and thought the community could use its own version of the games.

"Me and my wife got the idea to start them here because we had all the facilities and just thought it would be nice," he says. "We've got a gym, swimming pool, track -- we've got everything. We thought it would be a good idea to give the older guys something to do."

Tayon asked around and found plenty of residents interested in the idea, and the city was up for it as well. In organizing the games, he says he picked his favorite things from all the other events he had been to and combined them into the Perryville version. The local games are independent; they are not sanctioned by the Senior Olympics.

Fourteen years later, Tayon says he can't run and jump like he used to, but he still competes in the shot put, discus and javelin events -- "anything I can throw," he says.

But his favorite part by far is the camaraderie among athletes. He's been to many games over the years, including in Columbia, Mo., and Peoria, Ill., which each attract more than 1,000 participants each year. He's even been to nationals three times.

"You start meeting the same people, and then you meet new people, too," says Tayon.

The nice thing about the Senior Games in Perryville is that there are fewer athletes, they don't have to travel much between events, and everyone can compete in as many events as they like.

"It's small enough that you don't miss out on anything," he says.

Unterreiner says the games have between 80 and 120 participants each year. Most are from Illinois, Kentucky and Missouri, but there are others who travel farther, including a couple who comes each year from Florida.

As far as events to watch, Unterreiner and Tayon both like the football distance throw, the softball distance throw and the Frisbee throw, all scheduled for the afternoon and evening of Aug. 21 in the City Park.

Disc golf will also be a highlight this year, as Perryville just opened its disc golf course in mid-July. Unterreiner says table tennis is another great spectator sport (catch it at 1 p.m. Aug. 23 at the Perry Park Center).

"It's always interesting to watch those guys play. Some are real technical, others are defensive," he says.

The Senior Games kick off Wednesday, Aug. 21 and wrap up Saturday, Aug. 24, around noon. The Perry Park Center and Perryville City Park are just off Highway 61, at the south end of Perryville. For a complete schedule, visit www.cityofperryville.com or contact Unterreiner at chadunterreiner@cityofperryville.com or 573-547-7275.

"It's a great thing for seniors to be part of," says Unterreiner. "They are all there to support one another and help one another. It's not about winning or losing. It's a great thing to come together, and the rapport they have is tremendous. Everyone wants to see them do well".