Staying young on the pickleball court

Jerry Thomsen recently turned 86 years old, but you wouldn’t know it by watching him compete on the pickleball court.

The sport growing in popularity, a combination of tennis and table tennis, has proven to be the fountain of youth for Thomsen and many other seniors. The court measures 20 feet wide and 44 feet long. (Tennis courts are 60 feet by 120 feet.)

Thomsen is part of a group of retirees that plays between three and five times a week indoors at Southern Prairie Family Fitness Center, or outdoors at McKinley Park courts. The weather dictates these morning gatherings.

Thomsen is often 20 years older than many of other participants, but with height (6 foot 3) to reach across the court and fluid movement to the ball, he more than holds his own in these doubles matches. (Everyone in the group takes turn playing with different partners in a round-robin format throughout the morning.)

Thomsen, a longtime basketball coach who was avid in athletics in high school and college in Nebraska, is also an avid golfer and enjoys that sport as well. But, in pickleball, he’s found something that requires quick reactions and constant movement, while communicating with a partner during the rapid exchanges with opposing doubles teams.

“There’s no question it helps me,” Thomsen said. “It makes you stretch and move. At home you don’t stretch that much. Here, you have to push yourself beyond what you would normally do.”

Thomsen has avoided major injuries that would hamper him on the pickleball court. Only a shoulder issue not related to playing pickleball slowed him after surgery two years ago.

“I’m very fortunate that I don’t have a lot of injuries that prevent me from doing it,” Thomsen said. “A lot of guys have bad knees or other things. I had shoulder surgery when I pulled some tendons, so I can’t hit the ball as hard as I used to. It doesn’t hurt anymore, I’m just not as strong as I used to be.”

Born March 9, 1939, Thomsen grew up in Osmond, Nebraska (population 796). He was involved in athletics in high school and at Wayne State University, enjoying track and baseball the most. But, during much of his teaching career in Rockford in northern Iowa (Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock) he was a high school basketball coach.

Athletics and exercise were involved in the decision by Jerry and wife Barbara to retire near family in Creston, where son John (and grandson Trey) are optometrists. Granddaughter Alli Frain is a dentist in the area.

“The Y is one of the reasons we came to Creston 21 years ago,” Thomsen said. “The Y and the college and the hospital, those were the three main criteria. I wanted to go to college (basketball) games and things like that. I also had a son in Atlantic and daughter in Des Moines at the time.”

Thomsen was often seen working out in the cardio room and weight room at Southern Prairie Family Fitness Center. He was persuaded to give pickleball a try when he noticed players at the McKinley park courts while on a walk.

“I had tried one or two games back in 2021 or 2022 before my shoulder surgery,” Thomsen said. “But then I wasn’t able to play with the bad shoulder. When it started to feel better last summer I thought I’d really like to try to play that again, because I enjoyed watching it. I’ve been playing since then.”

After Barbara died three years ago, Thomsen found companionship in a morning coffee group, golf outings and more recently, the pickleball group. He said the social aspect is part of the attraction of the sport. Everyone takes turns playing with different partners and sitting out games to let others have their turn. Conversations are abundant on the sidelines among those waiting.

“The camaraderie is a big part of it,” Thomsen said. “This is my social life now. I really think it’s the biggest thing to keep me going. And, this gives me competition. You win or lose, and I’m still trying to beat you.”

Thomsen plans to show his appreciation by hosting a barbecue party for the pickleball group on Saturday (April 26) at his residence.

Inspiration

Mitch Sorensen, longtime teacher and coach in the area, has become an avid pickleball player and is impressed with Thomsen’s ability well into his 80s.

“Jerry is such an inspiration,” Sorensen said. “When we first played, I thought this guy is good! He’s gotta be about 65 or 70. Then he comes off the court and says he’s 85 years old! I’m like, WH-A-A-T!? That’s not even fair! Jerry really plays. He has great reflexes and he works at it. I just hope to be half as well off physically at 85 as he is now.”

Sorensen has hosted some pickleball clinics for prospective players. Thomsen is often a source of conversation in those sessions, particularly among those hesitant to try it at an advanced age.

“When I do the clinics people say, gee, I wonder if I’m too hold to do that?” Sorensen said. “I answer that we have 86-year-old Jerry Thomsen out there playing all the time and they’re reaction is like, ‘What?” These are people in their 60s wondering if they can play. I tell them to get out there and enjoy it, like Jerry does.”