Some ladies put up jam. She puts the shot.

Byline: PEOPLE By Jim Feehan The Register-Guard

SPRINGFIELD - Melanie Reske reaches into a cardboard box for the tools of her trade. The 85-year-old Springfield grandmother is not grabbing for needles to knit an afghan or tea cozy. Her tools include a discus and shot.

Reske is the oldest competitor in the Oregon Track Club. She's competed at the master's level for 17 years and has been a weight pentathlete (hammer throw, shot put, discus, javelin and weight-throwing) since 2001. She holds the U.S. record for women ages 80 to 84 for weight-throwing, which consists of throwing a ball-and-chainlike device with a large triangle-shaped handle.

"It is a good feeling to be old," Reske said. `I can still (participate in sports), and I do it not to be better than anybody else, but to achieve it for myself.'

She took up the sport after heaving a 7-pound rock found under a chestnut tree in the backyard of her Springfield home in 1989. Her husband, Richard, measured the toss at a little more than 21 feet. Reske was hooked. Later that year, she began competing in the Hayward Classic and the World Veterans Games in Eugene.

Five years later, she competed in the U.S. Track & Field Masters Championships in Eugene. She earned two silver medals, one in the shot put and the other in the discus.

"I was one inch off from a gold medal in the discus throw," she said.

She attributes much of her success to proper technique. In her living room, Reske places her hand near her jaw, holding an imaginary shot, to demonstrate proper form.

Technique and form come naturally to Reske, who participated in sports as a child growing up in Germany. She competed in gymnastics and track and field at a sports club in her hometown of Kiel, near the German-Danish border.

Reske was in the running to make the German Olympic team in the long jump until World War II caused the 1940 Summer Games to be canceled.

She left Germany in 1956 at the urging of her sister, who lived in Creswell.

Reske moved to Eugene and later Springfield, where she has lived for 49 years.

Four years ago, Reske taught German and an exercise course for seniors through the OASIS Education Center, a national educational enrichment organization for adults 55 and older. OASIS Director Barbara Susman described the octogenarian as funny, passionate and a great role model for seniors.

"She has the energy of someone 25 years younger, or even half her age," Susman said.

"She has amazing stick-to-it-ness, and while others grit their teeth during exercise, she loves the stuff."

Reske lifts weights and runs on a treadmill three times a week at the Oakway Fitness Center in preparation for next month's Hayward Classic.

She joined the health club in 1975 to participate in water exercises in her ongoing battle with arthritis, which was diagnosed at age 14.

Kris Christensen, owner and general manager at Oakway Fitness Center, has known Reske for the 30-plus years that she's been attending the club.

"She's a spunky old gal," Christensen said. "Other members look at her and it makes them feel like they can be in great shape at any age."

For Reske, there's no slowing down as she prepares for the next month's track meet.

"Sport is great," Reske said.

"Besides, I don't knit or sew."

MELANIE RESKE When she's not working out: She spends her time listening to Beethoven, Mozart and Schubert. Motto: "Use it or lose it." What's up, doc?: She says her physician tells her she has the body of a 65-year-old. Plans: She wants to continue to work out and participate in master's level competition. "I believe very much in physical fitness."

ACTIVE SENIORS

May is Older Americans Month, celebrating the diversity of older people. The Lane County Coalition of Senior Programs has selected nine people older than 60 who continue to pursue active lifestyles and who exemplify this year's theme, "In Motion After 60." In addition to Reske, they include:

Ruth Ferris, 92, of Eugene, hikes with the River Road hiking group twice a month.

Mary and Marv Krenk, 86 and 89, respectively, both of Eugene, have taught folk dancing at the Campbell Senior Center and Willamalane Adult Activity Center since the 1980s.

Jim Matejka, 69, of Eugene lifts weights and runs every day. He's been pole vaulting for more than 60 years.

Jane Dobbs, 70, of Springfield, an avid hiker and backpacker, is closing in on a goal she set 10 years ago to complete the 2,600-mile Pacific Crest Trail.

Carol Clark, 73, of Cottage Grove teaches at least two aqua aerobics or arthritis classes six days a week as well as trains instructors for both land and aquatic programs.

Bud Proctor, 70, of Junction City is a member of the Willamette Pass Alpine Ski Patrol and is active in Lane County Search and Rescue, as well as Eugene Mountain Rescue.

Ruth Frohmuth, 80, of Oakridge followed back surgery 15 months ago by attending and volunteering with Senior Meals Program in Oakridge. She soon was encouraged to lead a 15-minute stretching exercise class before lunch.

CAPTION(S):

At age 85, Melanie Reske competes in the shot put, discus, javelin, hammer throw and weight throw. "It is a good feeling to be old," she says.