Iowa Games Veteran Seeks to Add to Legacy of Success at the State Games of America

If you have been to the Iowa Games or the Iowa Senior Games the last several years, chances are you have seen or met Ron Peterson [Waukee, IA]. Ron competes in basketball shooting and track and field (shotput, discus, 100-meter dash) in the Iowa Games. In the Senior Games, he competes in up to 25 sports.

At age 52, Ron had just completed a bicycle ride across the United States. Right after, he was talking with a friend who told him to compete in the Iowa Games. After starting in the Iowa Games, Ron went on to play in many different competitions since then. Ron said he loves the work it takes to compete because it gives him a reason to stay in shape. For workouts, Ron runs, weightlifts, and rides his bike.

Ron said the people he has met along the way are his favorite part about competing. In fact, his competitors are the biggest reason why he plays so many sports. Through years of watching other people play sports, Ron sees how they do it and wants to try it. He enjoys learning new things, and adding new sports gives him an opportunity to meet people he would not otherwise meet. “I’m the guy who would rather do a lot of different things and interact with more people, and that’s a big benefit of the games in that you meet new friends,” Ron said.

Through the process of trying new sports, Ron learned what it truly means to be a competitor. Ron stated that he has good and bad days at competitions, but his true goal is to do his best and to be proud of his effort. That mentality has led Ron to success. In 2008, he was named the Iowa Games Marty McHone Male Athlete of the Year, which he said is the biggest honor of his career. Additionally, he competes in the National Veteran Games along with the Iowa Games and the Iowa Senior Games. Ron has won 19 national championships in six different sports. He also plays on a senior slow-pitch softball team that has won several national and world titles.

While Ron is thankful for all the accomplishments, honors, and titles, he is most grateful for the ability to still compete. As he gets older, working out and staying in shape certainly do not get easier. Now at age 78, people ask him why he is still competing in so many things. His response? “I do it because I still can.” That is Ron’s message and advice to people around his age when it comes to working out. It is never too late to start working out. Being fit and staying active will give you opportunities to do things you otherwise could not, and the relationships you form along the way will last for years.

This summer, Ron is competing in basketball shooting and track and field at the State Games of America. Ron is looking forward to competing against people from across the country and getting to know them, where they are from and their personal stories.

Basketball Shooting will take place at 1:30 PM on Saturday, July 30 at Lied Recreation Center at Iowa State University. Track and Field will span over two days, July 30-31 at the Cyclone Sports Complex. We want to wish Ron the best of luck at the State Games of America!