YMCA members participated in National Senior Games

Two members of the Tuscarawas County YMCA in Dover have taken their commitment to fitness to the next level by competing in the National Senior Games. The games were formed in the mid-1980s, when they were known as the National Senior Olympics and they are still referred to as that today by many.

The Senior Games are for participants age 50 and over. Today, they include 26 sports like archery, swimming, pickleball, basketball, softball, volleyball and more. They are the largest games for seniors in the world and take place every two years.

The two men, George Zambie and Mark Natoli, enjoyed participating in the event this year, which was held in Des Moines, Iowa, from July 24 to Aug. 4.

Zambie competed in 3x3 basketball, and his team won first place in the 65-69 age group. He got involved in a quest for fitness, a love of the game and teammates and the fun of meeting people from across the country.

Zambie spoke about the people he met.

“They're very serious about sports. Swimming is big, and even track and field, but the guys that play, the women too, they're serious about keeping in shape, and love the camaraderie and just being with teammates,” Zambie said. “It’s a fun thing.”

The competition is by age division in five-year increments starting at the 50-54 and on up.

Zambie was first eligible in 2003.

“I’ve had nine chances to go to the games, and I’ve made five of them,” Zambie said.

Each sport in the Senior Games has its own qualifying event.

“I have encouraged people (to participate) because it helps to stay in shape and to compete and to meet people,” Zambie said.

Natoli was a former basketball player who got involved in swimming in his 50s, due to issues with back pain.

"I never swam as a kid, and actually had a little fear of the water, because I had about drowned one time,” Natoli said.

He overcame his fear and took up swimming.

“I decided I better do something,” Natoli said. “I started swimming. I wanted to have a goal to get better, so, I wasn’t really thinking about competition.”

The qualifying competitions are held the year prior to the National Games. Natoli had to compete in Westerville in 2024 to qualify for the 2025 National Games. The top four in Natoli’s event moved on to compete in the National Games.

Natoli trained at least three days per week for this past summer’s games. The competition was fierce. He was happy that even though he didn’t place, he didn’t come in last either.

“I've got to do a lot more training if I'm going to get better, it's not enough,” Natoli said. “So, my plans are to train closer to four days a week and try to get a little better.”

The training has been helpful to Natoli’s overall health and well-being. It keeps him active.

 Zambie trains year-round for his sport.

“I don’t just play basketball. I lift weights for toning. I do balance types of exercises. I do a lot of flexibility exercises,” Zambie said. “It’s kind of my hobby, and it’s something that’s fun for me, and it’s not a chore like it is for a lot of people."

The 3x3 team has seven members from Ohio, West Virginia and New York. The team has been playing together since 2024. Zambie is proud of the team which has some members with college basketball experience. Yet, he says at their age, they need to have that number of players for the needed frequent substitutions.

Also participating in this year’s games in the 80-year-old swimming category was another Tuscarawas County YMCA member, Betty Wherley. Wherley enjoyed the games and would encourage others to get involved.

All found the camaraderie among participants especially rewarding. Zambie, Natoli, and Wherley believe that staying active and setting goals, no matter your age, can play a big part in maintaining your health.

For more information on the National Senior Games visit nsga.com.