McCook man sets national record at Senior Games

Mitch Lyster makes one of his long jump attempts during the National Senior Games at the Samford Track Complex in Birmingham, Ala. Lyster finished second in the long jump and won the triple jump by setting a new national record.

National Senior Games Association

Mitch Lyster just wanted to compete and stay active.

Little did Lyster know that he would set a national record in the process.

Competing at the 2017 National Senior Games in Birmingham, Ala., Lyster hit a mark of 10.93 meters (35-10.5 feet) in the triple jump to win the men’s 60-65 division and put his name in the national record book.

“It was a good day,” Lyster recalled of the June 9 event. “I felt good. Got warmed up like you’re supposed to, stretched and all that. I just had a good day and was pretty excited.”

Lyster’s record beat the men’s 60-65 national mark of 10.68 meters (35-04) set by Max Siu of Texas in 2013.

Lyster beat that mark on all but one of his jump attempts at the Samford Track Complex.

“The weather was ideal,” Lyster said of the conditions. “I know Denis Irwin talked about all the rain he had to deal with (in the tennis competition). When I got there, we had nothing but beautiful weather.”

In addition to winning the triple jump, Lyster finished second in his division in the long jump. His mark of 5.06 meters (16-07.25) was less than an inch behind the winning jump of 5.08 meters (16-08) made by Wayne Fisher of South Carolina.

“I led from the very beginning until the second-to-last jump of finals, when he (Fisher) beat me,” Lyster said.

Lyster, a 1974 graduate of Alliance High School, competed in both events during high school and saw the senior games as a way to stay in shape.

According to Lyster, his performance at the National Senior Games was attributed to his year-round training. He lifts weights at the Ed Thomas YMCA and also works out on the McCook High School track.

“I run and practice jumping over there (at MHS),” Lyster mentioned. “I practice on form work at the track. Between the YMCA and what I do over there, that’s where I do all my training.”

One thing that’s helped Lyster with his training is the support he’s received.

“I’m pretty thankful for the people that supported me,” he said. “I lift with some friends over at the YMCA. It’s always helpful to have other people push you.”

While setting a national record will always stick with Lyster, he also mentioned the camaraderie as a fun aspect to the games.

“We’re all older but still enjoy the competition and it’s pretty darn friendly,” Lyster said. “That stands out more than the competition itself.”