Chapin, Savik medal at National Games

Kalispell's Dick Chapin and Lou Savik both earned medals in track and field at the National Senior Games last month in Houston.

Chapin, competing in the 80-84 age bracket, won gold medals in the long jump (3.09 meters) and as a member of Tennessee's 400 relay team.

Montana did not have a relay team in his age bracket.

Chapin also advanced to the finals in the 100 and 200, but did not place. Eight runners qualified for the finals in both dashes.

Savik, 70-74 age division, earned a silver medal in the 1,500 race walk (9:12.83) and a bronze medal in the 5,000 race walk (31:25.00).

"The level of competition was marvelous," Chapin said.

"There were 36 entries in my bracket, most all of whom were state champions just like me."

The games were a two-week event.

"After the trials and the semifinals of the 100, I knew I wasn't going to medal," Chapin said.

"So I put my focus on the long jump."

Chapin ran a 36.17 in the 200, which was "the best time I ran all year. I don't know what my 100 time was.

"All in all, it was very successful," he said.

"Winning the 4x100 put a cap on it to make it really great."

Chapin wasn't expecting to run in a relay, but the Tennessee team was a runner short and approached him about doing the first leg.

Chapin, who set state age group records last month at the Montana Senior Olympics in Great Falls in the 100 and long jump, says he may have competed in his last race.

"To run at the national level requires a huge dedication," he said. "I worked 15 months to be ready for this one.

"It's open," he said of his competitive future.

"But I don't know if I will do it again.

"I owe a vote of thanks to the people at Advanced Rehabilitation Services in Kalispell," he said.

"They got my hamstring fixed up enough where I could compete (in Texas)."

Chapin injured his hamstring at the Montana Senior Olympics.