Speedy senior a record breaker

It seems Dick Chapin will never slow down.

The senior sprinter broke three 80-84 age-group track and field records at the Montana Senior Olympics in Great Falls last week.

The dash man, who lives at Ashley Lake, erected new standards in the 100 (16.21), 200 (36.84) and long jump (10-8).

"I had a good day," Chapin said. "I've been training hard, so I expected to do well."

Chapin said the old record in the 100 was 16.82, and for the 200 it was 37.98.

Chapin was not pushed in either race.

"Basically, I was running against the clock," he said.

Chapin was pleased with his dash times, but disappointed with his long jump showing.

"I had trouble getting my steps," he said.

Still, it was good enough to break the old record.

His best distance in that event is 11-4.

"As it got close to the state meet, I was working out almost every day at Legends Stadium or at Glacier High School," he said.

"The reason I'm working hard is I'm going to the National (Senior) Championships in Houston next week."

Chapin will compete in the same three events in Texas.

"Twenty years ago," Chapin said of his last national competition.

"I was in fifth place in the three events. I'm hoping to do better this time."

But Chapin does have one worry.

"What I'm very concerned about right now is I had a light pull of my hamstring in the 200 (last week), the final race of the day," he said.

"I've been working hard on that this week with a physical therapist, getting ready for next week. I know the competition will be tough."

Chapin will compete June 21-24 in Houston.

Prior to moving up to the 80-84 age bracket, Chapin set Montana state records in the 100, 200 and long jump for the 75-79 bracket.

Chapin grew up in New Jersey. He was a sprinter and long jumper at Syracuse University.

He has lived at Ashley Lake for the past 20 years.