National Guard Soldier to compete in National Senior Olympics

Photo By Maj. Travis Mueller | Sgt. Neil Gussman, 28th Combat Aviation Brigade, rode more than 5000 miles on Camp Adder, Iraq, during the his deployment there in 2009-10. (Courtesy photo, 28th Combat Aviation Brigade/Released)  

MINNEAPOLIS, MN, UNITED STATES

06.26.2015

Courtesy Story

28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade

MINNEAPOLIS - A Pennsylvania National Guard soldier will compete in the bicycle road racing competition in the National Senior Olympics in in Minneapolis, July 7 and 8.

Sgt. Neil Gussman of the 28th Combat Aviation Brigade will compete in the 60-64 age group. The National Senior Olympics draws thousands of competitors from across the nation to compete in dozens of events. Gussman last competed in the Senior Games in 2005, taking bronze medals in both road races when the event was held in Pittsburgh.

“I re-enlisted in the guard in 2007 after a 23-year break in service and have not been able to compete in the Senior Olympics in the last decade because of deployment or training conflicts,” Gussman said. “This year I got in and am looking forward to racing with 100 national-level competitors in my age group on a tough course.”

The National Senior Olympics are held on odd years each summer. Qualification races in each state are held on even years. The competition is open to those 50 years of age and older who qualify at the state level.

Gussman will be competing in two road race events then returning to Pennsylvania for drill weekend. Since returning from deployment to Iraq in 2010, Gussman has competed in two Tough Mudder events, more than 30 bicycle races, several half and full marathons and last August finished an Ironman Triathlon.

• Date Taken: 06.26.2015
• Date Posted: 06.30.2015 13:27
• Story ID: 168606
• Location: MINNEAPOLIS, MN, US
• Hometown: LANCASTER, PA, US