ASSINIBOIA - Residents may remember Jim Stangel as an Algebra, Geo-Trig and Computers teacher at Assiniboia Composite High School, where he taught for 21 years. While in Assiniboia, Stangel also coached girl’s softball and served as advisor to the SADD group for many years.
Stangel recently earned two gold medals on the track at the Saskatchewan Senior’s Fitness Association 55+ games held in North Battleford June 11-13. Stangel turned 80 in May of this year.
“In 2004, at the age of 60, I entered the Sask 55+ Games competition. I decided to try track because my legs always worked quite well. There were Zone games then and I went to Moose Jaw for those. I was successful there and then participated in the Provincial 55+ Games in Humboldt,” said Stangel
The former Assiniboia senior athlete said he won his first gold medal in the 100m race in Humboldt and was thrilled with his 13.75 second result.
With SSFA competitions every two years, and no games held during COVID-19, Stangel has competed eight times in provincials, plus the zone competitions. As evidenced in the photo he shares, the results have been multiple medals won in the past two years.
The newly inaugurated 80-year-old said, “The games give me another reason for staying active besides the health benefits of daily activity. And I do enjoy competing. When I get on the track, I do not enjoy looking at the rear end of someone ahead of me. I prefer them to be looking at mine.”
Stangel acknowledges that he has always been interested in track events but did not consider participating until he saw an advertisement in the Moose Jaw newspaper about the 55+ games being held there in 2004.
“When I first started competing, I entered the 100m, the 200m, the 400m and the 800m. There usually was a relay race as well and I would be part of the 4-person team for that. In the Zone games, I would run all those races in one day. YES, one day. I was plenty sore the next day. At the Provincials, the races were spread over two days,” affirms Stangel
The games have evolved over the years, now including a 50m race, which is one of the events Stangel won a gold medal in this year. It was somewhat of a good news/bad news story as Stangel was entered to run the 100mrace but tore a muscle in his calf while running the 50m, making the gold medal win even more impressive.
Another former ACHS teacher, Ed Bearss, helped Stangel with his training when he first began competing.
“He had exercises and training suggestions for me to follow. I ran on the streets in Assiniboia every day. The tracks in Assiniboia were poorly maintained (gopher holes) so street running was the best option. I used to do gym workouts too but that has lessened over time. This year, I trained by doing a brisk 30 minute walk every day as well as exercises with weights on alternate days. I also ran daily, sometimes in the parkade of the condo building I live in,” adds Stangel
Stangel modestly pointed out that with the SSFA 55+ games, age categories go up in five-year intervals starting at 55. So, he points out the obvious, stating that the 75+ and 80+ categories, there is not a lot of competitors. However, former students and staff remarked on social media their pride in his accomplishments, knowing the commitment and efforts it still takes to compete.
“I have met many wonderful people at the competitions. People who like to remain active. I could have gone to the National Competitions many times but chose not to go. Participation at that level would require a longer and more intense preparation. One has to make choices,” said Stangel.
This former Algebra teacher was once an x-pert in class but now there’s a reason this retired math teacher has a favourite season, Summer.
