FERGUS FALLS, MINN. – At 101 years old, Verona Danielson is competing in Spark Performance League (SPL) challenges with her team, the Fergus Falls Northstars. Her motto? “Move it or you’ll lose it.”
We realize competing at 101 years old is certainly not the norm, but that doesn’t mean it’s not possible or that you shouldn’t do it. “Looking at Verona, you’d never believe her age but she’s proof that age is just a number,” says Northstars coach Lisa Nordick.
Verona was not difficult to recruit to the Northstars. “They just started and I decided that I was going to join them,” she said with a shrug.
The Northstars were among the league’s earliest teams. “When stuff started happening, we were the trailblazers,” says Lisa.
Verona doesn’t participate in every event. After sustaining an injury while cranking, she had to sit out on activities involving her hands, like the remote-controlled Forklift Racing competition. But she shows up for most of the league’s challenges, she especially loves walking, and she continues to do so.
Most mornings, she walks up and down the hallway. If she walks up and down eight times that hits her goal of a mile. “It makes me feel good,” says Verona.
Though her favorite activity is walking, she also likes to join in on group exercise sessions.
She insists she is not a competitive person. “She is,” Lisa says, smiling. “She just covers it up well. You can see it in her eyes.”
Every game, the Northstars wear their purple t-shirts, representing their team color and matching their “Purple Power” cheer. Their local grocery store that delivers to the community each week paid for over half of the shirts. Lisa and Verona say the team gets a lot of recognition in the dining hall.
“They look out for each other,” says Lisa, speaking to the team’s bond. Verona agrees: “Just being with the gang is fun.”
Verona is not one for wordy explanations. When asked what keeps her going, she says. “I like to stay active.”
After games, the team fills up on snacks that are packed with protein such as meat, cheese, and peanut butter balls if available. Verona loves to eat the peanut butter whenever they have it.
Coach Lisa explained that competing has brought “a whole new dimension” into the lives of the residents. The comradery they share is what keeps the team moving and grooving. “This is something I appreciate more than coaching youth,” says Lisa.
At 101, Verona shows no signs of slowing down. Outside of competing she leads bingo night on Thursdays, sometimes just hours after a competition. “I don’t like to just sit,” says Verona.
As for the future? “They can expect to see them year in and year out. The Northstars are here to stay,” says Lisa.
“I’d come back,” Danielson deadpans, already thinking about her next lap down the hallway.
