Thom Phillips (Glenn Hartong photo) | ZOOM |

        At 69, Thom Phillips doesn't dread his next birthday. Fact is, he's sort of looking forward to it.

        Every year the Bond Hill man travels to a half dozen or more states to compete in track and field events for Senior Olympics. Participants are grouped by age.

        “Right now I'm the old man in my (65-to-69) age group,” he says.

        But a year from now will be different. He'll be the young stud attempting to run faster, jump farther and heave the shot and discus a greater distance than others in the 70-to-75 group.

        Competitive reasons aside, Mr. Phillips says every birthday is special when you beat cancer.

        In 1990 he was wrapping up a 35-year career as an educator, the last 17 working with at-risk youth at Western Hills High. Knowing his insurance would change at retirement, he scheduled a checkup.

        That's how he learned he had prostate cancer.

        Early detection was the key, he says. “I tell everybody I can to get those tests.”

        He has done more than survive. He has thrived. One day a week he's a social worker in Cincinnati schools' special education department. He's a Realtor and an auctioneer. The married father of three has earned All American awards in six Senior Olympics events.

        Don't look for him to cut older competitors any slack.

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