(WNY News Now) – Jamestown, NY – Judy Young is used to breaking records. Add one more to her list. At the age of 97, she is the oldest person to ever be chosen for induction into the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame as a member of its Class of 2024.
Born in 1926, Young grew up in Queens County, New York, swimming in the tidal bay and ocean. Her husband’s job moved her to Jamestown in 1960. With two young sons, she became active at the YMCA, first as a volunteer and later as the secretary to the executive director. She recognized the importance of physical fitness and found many opportunities to stay fit at the Y.
After Judy retired in 1987, she heard about the Allegheny Mountain YMCA/YWCA Masters Swimming Association (AMYMSA) and brought it to the attention of the Jamestown Y’s aquatics director. A local team was formed and Young began competitive swimming at the age of 61.
Over the next 36 years, Young has literally rewritten the record book for age group swimming. She holds age group national records in 50, 100, 200 & 500 freestyle and 50, 100 & 200 backstroke.
In 2016 she entered 8 events in 90-94 age group at the YMCA Masters National Swimming Championships in Sarasota, Florida. She won gold medals in all 8 events and set new national records in the 200 and 500 freestyle, 100 and 200 backstroke. Those records still stand.
In 2022, she swam in 7 events in the 95-99 age group at the YMCA Masters National Swimming Championships at Orlando, Florida. She won gold medals in all 7 events and set new national records in the 50 free, 100 free, 500 free, 50 back, 100 back and 200 back. And those records still stand, too. She is a 15-time age group champion at YMCA Masters Nationals since age 90. Representing the Jamestown masters team, Judy, since age 75, is also an 18-time age group champion in the AMYMSA regional league which covers four states.
She won 6 Gold Medals at the 2023 National Senior Games in the age 95-99 division and set new times in all events. She lowered the record in the 50 free from 1:24.3 to 1:17.1; in the 100 free from 3:22.9 to 2:44.2; in the 200 free from 6:52.9 to 6:28.4; in the 50 back from 1:34.1 to 1:28.1; in the 100 back from 3:28.9 to 3:02.3; and in the 200 back from 6:53.8 to 6:22.37.
Young has been nationally recognized as a Humana Game Changer for being an outstanding athlete who exemplifies active aging and provides encouragement, motivation and inspiration for people of all ages to pursue lifelong health.
Judy Mascari, the Medicare president at Humana in New York said, “Judy’s passion for swimming is proof that age isn’t an obstacle to engaging in activities that bring joy and promote well-being. While not everyone has a desire to compete, I think Judy can inspire us all to change the game for active aging and challenge society’s expectations of what it means to be a senior.”
Judy resides in Jamestown. Her son, Jim, is a 2013 CSHOF inductee in the sport of basketball. The Youngs are the first mother and son enshrinees. Add another one to the Judy Young record book.
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