State Games of Oregon Friday, July 13, 2007

Emma Duffy of Columbia-Willamette YMCA Swim Team races in the 13-14 year-old girls 100 meter breaststroke Saturday in the State Games of Oregon. Duffy finished fifth in the event.

Organized by the Oregon Amateur Sports Foundation (OASF), the State Games of Oregon are held annually at various venues in the Portland area on various dates in July. Just about any Olympic sport you can imagine—from archery to water polo—is included. (Those more suited to snow and ice are part of the Winter Games of Oregon, held in March.)

Participants are grouped in numerous age brackets to ensure a level playing field for everyone from youth and seniors. And there are no qualifying events—you just have to sign up and pay the entry fee—so everyone can participate.

Competitors in the 3000 meter walk burst off the start line July 7 at the State Games of Oregon at Mt. Hood Community College. Competing in the 60+ class, Norman Frable (right) of St. George, Utah, finished first with a time of 15:25.05.

Last Saturday I covered the track & field and swimming events at Mt. Hood Community College for The Outlook. You can see more photos in the July 11 edition of the paper.