Early Life & Introduction to Swimming
Tamara Steil grew up with her family located right here in Grand Rapids Michigan. Since she was a young girl, she has always loved the water. As a child she had a desire to play sports but never participated in them throughout her schooling. Steil graduated from one year before Title IX went into effect. This prohibited schools from discriminating employees and students based on sex. In the following years girls’ sports became more popular but it was too late for Steil. She went on to attend Western Michigan University, but it was not until her junior year when she was finally able to join the swim team. Her dream was to always be a diver, so at age 19 she first started chasing her dream and started competing as a collegiate diver. Being a small team Steil eventually started participating in other events like breaststroke and her love for swimming grew as she explored it more. Once she graduated college, swimming was still a big part of her life. She worked as a lifeguard and taught swim lessons as she continued to swim on her own. Not only was swimming a big part of her life but running was as well. From ages 25 to 48 she was a successful regional runner. Her running career came to an end as the tendons in her hamstring started causing her problems. Unable to run Steil turned back to swimming because she knew it would be less stressful on her hamstrings and she still loved the sport. Once she returned to the pool, she knew that was where she belonged and that with hard work, she could get back in shape to compete once again.
Return to Competition.
It had been a while since Steil last competed, but that did not slow her down. In the first 6 months of her return to competitive swimming she medaled in her first state meet. Over the next few years, she continued to put in the work which led her to continue to win events and earn the High Point award several times. At the age of 52 Steil heard of the Michigan Senior Games and could not resist the opportunity for more competition. Not only did she swim in the Michigan Senior Games, but she also ran track and did a triathlon. For any 52-year-old competing in three sports is a challenge, not only did Steil compete but she set state records in all three disciplines. Months after the Michigan Senior Games she went to her first National Senior Games in Louisville, Kentucky. At the National Senior Games, she medaled in every event she competed in which included 200m breast, and 800m and 1500m on the track.
Accomplishments
For most athletes winning multiple events at the National Senior Games would be the highlight of their careers. This was simply one accomplishment for Steil. She also broke the National Senior Games record for the 100 and 200 breaststrokes at age 55 in Palo Alto during the 2009 Senior Games. During these Games she also medaled again in the 800m and 1500m on the track. Four years later at the age of 59 she went to USMS Swim Nationals where she medaled as well. After medaling there she continued to work hard and swim in even more meets. From that point on she went to about every USMS National meet for short course yards and long course meters. Steil medaled in about every event she competed at during these competitions. Steil’s best events are the 200m breast, 200 fly, 400 IM and some open water and triathlon events. These may be her best events but even in the events in which she does not consider her best she often medals. She currently holds the record for all three breaststroke events. In 2018 she competed in the FINA World Swimming Championship in Budapest where she finished 14th in the open water 3K and 400 IM. In the years following she continued to medal in events at the National Senior Games as well as the USMS National meets. In 2019 she competed in the ITU World Triathlon Championship. Steil described this as one of the most exciting events she has participated in. She placed 14th but it was the people all around the course chanting USA that made the experience even more memorable.
2020 and The Challenges it Brought.
Like many others, 2020 for Steil was a challenging year. She injured her left Achilles while running on the beach in January. One month later she tore her Achilles and had to stop running for over 4 months while it healed. Steil turned to swimming during those first few months of no running to stay in shape. She could continue to swim while her Achilles healed if she did not do any push-offs. Then in March, COVID-19 hit the United States and Steil, like most others, was confined to her home and unable to go to the pool and swim. At the time running was not an option for her so she started to walk short distances and slowly built up to longer ones. Once the weather got better, she was able to start biking and by June Steil was able to resume running. Steil continued to adapt to the challenges of COVID-19 closing pools by swimming in lakes close to where she lived. Luckily, pools started to open again when weather got too cold to swim outside.
Life Outside of Sports
Although sports are a big part of Steil’s life, she also spends a great deal of time with her family. She is happily married to her husband Dave and they have two daughters, one who is 28-years old who lives New York City and one who is 29-years old who lives Grand Rapids. She is currently the President of the Sweet House Foundation whose objective is to preserve, maintain and protect the 1860’s historic home of Martin Sweet located in Grand Rapids. The foundation works to raise the funds necessary to care for the house. Steil and her husband also love to travel and take many trips each year.
USA Masters Games
Steil has never competed in the USA Master Games but is excited to participate this year. She plans to compete in every event she can this summer. Not only does she try to do all the events she can, but she tries to be available to other athletes if they need someone in their relay. Steil said, “I fear no event and am not afraid of a very tough workout.” By not fearing any event and willing to try out anything is how she has been able to accomplish so much in not only multiple events but multiple sports. After being stuck inside for most of 2020 and not competing, she is ready to get back to it. Steil stated, “I look at this as pure fun and hope everyone has a good time as well. If it isn’t fun, why do it?” We are excited to have such an accomplished athlete participate in this year's USA Masters Games and wish her and all the other athletes the best of luck as they start to compete.