The 2002 Iowa Games Female Athlete of the Year, 85-year-old Marijane Torjesen, goes into the swimming competition at a disadvantage.

“When I was younger, one of my lungs collapsed,” Torjesen said. “Doctors at the Mayo Clinic told me to exercise. My doctor told me to keep swimming, and that it is important to keep the lung strong. So now my one lung does the work of both. After swimming, I feel very relaxed.”

The swimmer said spending time in the pool has improved her life.

“For one thing, I have outlived my competition,” Torjesen said. “I have accomplished so much a normal person my age wouldn’t be doing. I just like to swim, which helps me to live longer.”

Torjesen, who won six events this weekend, has loved swimming for some time now.

“I have been swimming ever since junior high, around 70 years,” she said. “I have been involved in every Iowa Games except one or two.”

Torjesen said skin cancer has prevented her from swimming outdoors anymore.

All of Torjesen’s dedication to swimming has not gone unnoticed. Her husband of 18 years, Charles, sees firsthand the inspiration of his wife.

“She has a lot of inspiration that keeps her swimming,” he said.

Torjesen picked another honor late in life, years before she started winning medals at the Iowa Games.

“When I was younger, I couldn’t afford to go to college,” she said.

“But I graduated from Drake University in accounting when I was 62 years old.”