NOVEMBER 16 • 2023 | 43
J
N

first league 300.
Woolman is a member of the 600 
Club team in the league. 

JIM BERK
Berk added to his impressive swimming 
record at the annual Michigan Senior 
Olympics this summer.
The West Bloomfield resident has 
swum in 32 events over the past 10 
years and claimed a medal in every 
event he entered. He’s won 23 gold 
medals, eight silver medals and one 
bronze medal. 
At the most recent Michigan Senior 
Olympics, Berk entered four events 
and won gold medals in the 50-yard 
breaststroke (:39.49), 100 breaststroke 
(1:27.15), and 200 breaststroke (3:15.48) 
in the men’s ages 65-69 division in the 
pool at Oakland University.
While the three golds were great, 
perhaps the most impressive medal he 
won was a silver in the 500 freestyle, 
swimming breaststroke.
“You don’t have to swim freestyle 

in the 500 freestyle. I’m better in 
the longer breaststroke events, so I 
thought I’d give the 500 a try swimming 
breaststroke,” he said.
He was timed in 9:12.31. The winner 
of the race swam 7:34.0.
“I was happy with my time,” Berk 
said. “I swam the 200 breaststroke just 
before the 500, and I was breathing 
hard. There was supposed to be a 
women’s 500 before the men’s 500, but 
there were no women competitors, so 
they went right to the men’s 500.
“I thought I’d have a 10-minute break 
before the men’s 500. Luckily, there was 
a problem with the timing pads, so the 
start of the race was delayed three or 
four minutes. I would do the 500 again 
swimming breaststroke, but I think I 
need at least five minutes rest.”
Berk is a former sportscaster who 
is now a personal trainer and exercise 
coach.

STEVE MATZ
Matz maintained his perfect record of 

never losing a 50 breaststroke or 100 
breaststroke at the Michigan Senior 
Olympics. He won the 50 in :38.06 and 
the 100 in 1:28.15 in the men’s 70-75 
division this summer.
The Franklin resident also earned a 
bronze medal in the 50 freestyle, “but I 
just swim the 50 for fun,” he said.
Matz had to overcome some adversity 
at last year’s Michigan Senior Olympics.
He didn’t train for the two weeks 
leading up to the competition because 
of a case of COVID-19 that sapped 
his stamina, in his words, but he 
persevered and won gold medals in 
the 50 breaststroke (:38.38) and 100 
breaststroke (1:26.75) 
Matz, a trial lawyer, enjoys the 
respectful competition and camaraderie 
among the swimmers at the Michigan 
Senior Olympics.
“It’s an excuse to train, put some 
numbers on the board and grow old 
together,” he said. 

Send sports news to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.

248-353-1000

Drew Ruby
Bobby Raitt

