LAKE PLACID – Rob Stevens wasn’t really much of an athlete in high school.
"I was more into art," he told The Enterprise.

Things have changed in the 30 years since he graduated.

Stevens, 50, spent last weekend with his wife, Judy, and their two daughters, Emily and Chloe, in Lake Placid; he participated in the speed-skating competition at the Empire State Winter Games. There were about 37 speed skaters from around the state, he said.
"It was one of the best things I’ve ever done," Stevens said of the experience. " It was great to have my family there," he said.

After 25 years, Stevens found himself again competing in the Empire State Games. His first go at the games was in 1982; he competed then in cycling during the summer games.

The summer games rotate locations from year to year. In 1982, the games were held at Syracuse University, he said.
"It was interesting to go back 25 years later and do the winter version," Stevens said. "Speed skating is a very typical off-season sport to cycling."
"I was very pleased," Stevens said of his performance. He shaved two seconds off his best times, and ‘that’s huge," he said.

Stevens said he has been a cyclist for 25 or 30 years. He started speed skating about six years ago, shortly after moving to Guilderland, he told The Enterprise.

Stevens, who is a network administrator for the New York Department of State, became involved with the Capital District Speed Skating Club where he skates about twice a week, after a co-worker told him about it, he said.
What appeals to him about speed skating, Stevens said, is that it "requires a lot of endurance and skill."
The mix of the equipment, speed, and "the tiniest bit of danger" really grabs him, he said.
He now considers speed skating his "primary sport," and cycling his "secondary sport," he said. "It’s weird how things work."
Stevens said he finished "in the middle of the field." He is hoping to return again next year, he said. His goal is to "keep progressing skill-wise," and to become "more and more competitive," he said.
Speed skating takes a "high degree of skill," Stevens said. "It doesn’t pound your body to death."
"Speed skating is for all ages," Stevens said. Two skaters in their late 70s skate at the Capital District Speed Skating Club, he said.

Howard Ganong is 78, Stevens said. He was the Connecticut State speed-skating champion, and holds a world record in long track for his age group, Stevens said.
At the Empire State Games, "There was of course the 20-year-olds with the 50-year-olds," he added.
Though cycling has been around longer, "Speed skating is more cutting edge," Stevens said.