Lifestyle Regulars at the Virginia Senior Games 10/7/2024 | By Kari Smith More than 11,000 people compete in more than 25 sports at the National Senior Games. Virginia Senior Games participants include Rex Reichert of Mascot and Randy Armentrout of Rockingham County. The National Senior Games Association promotes the benefits of competitive sports, physical fitness, and active aging to adults ages 50 and over. Member organizations, representing nearly every state and Canada, host area competitions. The NSGA hosts the National Senior Games every other year. Rex Reichert has been an archer since 1986 and participated in the Senior Games since turning 50 years old. Reichert doesn’t just compete for the win, although he loves the thrill of the competition. He has medaled in 17 of the last 19 years, given that the COVID-19 pandemic caused the 2020 and 2021 Senior Games to be canceled. Not only does he participate in Virginia’s Senior Games, he travels to neighboring states and to the National Senior Games. “It’s like a big family reunion,” he tells me. “I enjoy meeting new people, sharing stories, and experiencing new things” Nineteen years later, at age 69, he continues to participate, though it hasn’t always been easy. A recent rotator cuff surgery severely limited his abilities as he navigated the pain and recovery for 18 months. But, he tells me, mental recovery is more difficult than the physical rehabilitation. “In my opinion,” he tells me, “archery is 20% physical ability and 80% mental skill. In fact, the ratio even be higher on the mental side. There is so much self-discipline. You have to control your breathing, your heart rate, your anxiety. Every archer has their own process for each time they shoot the bow, and it must be done consistently.” In that vein, he shares a favorite phrase that contradicts the old “practice makes perfect” adage. “Practice doesn’t make perfect,” he says. “Perfect practice makes perfect.” Rex Reichert with medal at the Virginia Senior Games Reichert previously competed as a professional archer for five years, but that required a great deal of travel, which resulted in hanging up his pro title. He retired from his full-time career last July, and now keeps his skills honed by shooting 50 to 100 arrows a day. He also holds affiliations within organizations such as the International Bowhunting Organization, ASA Archery, USA Archery, and National Field Archery Association. When asked if he plans to stop competing any time soon, he replied fittingly, “shoot, no!” In fact, he is motivated by his elders who continue to compete. “They are older than me, but they still excel. When you’re watching a guy who is still competing at 90 years old, it inspires you to do the same.” Golfer Randy Armentrout, also a former semi-pro archer, talks about the parallels between golf and archery. “Archery is more of a head game than golf. In some sports, you can be off by a little, but not in archery.” Although Armentrout is new to the Senior Games, he is no less enthusiastic than the Games’ long-time participants like Rex Reichert. The Rockingham County resident first participated and won his golf division when the Virginia Senior Games were held at Massanutten Resort. Armentrout, a Massanutten resident, first began working as a part-time Assistant at the resort’s pro shop, The Golf Shop at Woodstone, while still working at his full-time job. When he retired at 55, he became a full-time employee at The Golf Shop, and has now been on staff for 16 years. He loves the job and enjoys learning from his co-workers and PGA professionals on staff. “One has taught me a lot about my golf swing, and one is an equipment guru who has taught me everything about golf gear. As a result, right now – at 62 years old – I am the best golfer I have ever been.” Related: Play Benefits Seniors, Too! Golfing has been a lifelong love for Armentrout, who began golfing at age five, and played on a State Championship golf team in high school. Though he largely stepped away from the sport as a young adult to raise his children, he continued passing on knowledge to friends and family to help improve their golf games as he could. Armentrout is thrilled that the Virginia Senior Games will again be hosted on his home turf at Massanutten Resort in 2024. This is also a qualifying year for the National Senior Games competition, which means that if he wins his division, he will qualify to move forward and compete on the national level. Armentrout appreciates that at the Senior Games, he gets to compete and see how his skills compare to his peers’, rather than much younger golfers. He strongly encourages other senior athletes to consider joining the Games. “I enjoy meeting other people who do the same thing; we all really enjoy it.” When asked for any words of advice for senior athletes considering joining the Games, he says “Please join. Enjoy life, because we have lived more days that we have left at our age. Just do it!” Learn more by following these links: National Senior Games Virginia Senior Games FEATURED IMAGE CAPTION (TOP): Rex Reichert, left, with two other medalists at the Virginia Senior Games This article first appeared in the Virginia print edition of Seniors Guide, alongside recipes, inspiring senior profiles, retirement communities, home care information, and other related products and services. You can get your copy of the magazine here. Read More Kari Smith Kari Smith is a frequent contributor to Seniors Guide, helping to keep those in the senior industry informed and up-to-date. She's a Virginia native whose love of writing began as a songwriter recording her own music. In addition to teaching music and performing in the Richmond area, Kari also enjoys riding horses and farming.