By Sara Martin
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

As a former captain of the Duke University swim team for the 1951–1952 and 1952–1953 seasons, Bill Mellin learned a thing or two about competitive swimming. Now, more than 50 years later, he’s ready to prove that he can still slice through the water with the best of ‘em.

Mellin is in training for the 2008 Houston Senior Olympics. Last year, he took home gold medals in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle competitions. These days, with the Olympics right around the corner, he’s training in the Eagle’s Trace swimming pool six mornings a week.

“I’m working to build up my endurance,” says Mellin, who plans to enter the 50-, 100-, 200-, and 400-yard freestyle competitions this year. He will also compete in two other events: golf and Texas hold ‘em.

A multisport event
This year’s games will run from March 28 through April 6. Designed with the mature athlete in mind, the Senior Olympics is the perfect combination of recreation, fellowship, and fun. The local event provides the opportunity for seniors to compete in more than 25 sports and activities. The Scrabble tournament, spelling bee, talent show, and billiards are new offerings in 2008. And for the second year in a row, Eagle’s Trace is sponsoring the golf tournament held at Bear Creek Golf World.

“We have a very active group of residents participating this year,” says Shirley Woods, wellness coordinator in the fitness center at Eagle’s Trace. “Of the residents who signed up, most are competing in the walking events, but we also have one person signed up for the spelling bee and another for the talent show.”

Last year, Eagle’s Trace residents took home 19 medals altogether. They’re hoping to top that number this year. “It’s fun, it’s social, and the participants are getting physically fit,” says Woods. “What more can you ask for?”

‘Completing the course’
If this sounds good for other people, but the thought of participating in competitive sports makes you go weak at the knees, think again.