State College YMCA celebrates 100th birthday of swimmer who’s ‘absolutely an inspiration’

Few things outside of change itself are constant in life, but for the State College YMCA’s members and staff, Maynard Kohler showing up to swim at 5:30 a.m. every weekday is something they can count on.

Kohler, a Ferguson Township resident, is the State College YMCA’s oldest active member, and has been driving himself to the West Whitehall Road location to swim every Monday through Friday for 22 years and counting. And to celebrate his 100th birthday on Saturday, YMCA staff threw him a surprise party in the building’s lobby early Friday morning when he arrived for his daily swim.

The surprise party marks the second time that Kohler has been honored by the YMCA — in 2024, a lane of the organization’s swimming pool was named after him as part of the celebration for his 98th birthday.

Friday’s event featured a large, homemade banner with a “happy birthday” message painted on it, gold balloons, a birthday cake and testimonies from staff members who’ve grown close with Kohler, swimmers he’s interacted with over the years and some of his close, personal friends.

“It’s unbelievable,” Kohler said in response to the gathering. “One of the nicest things here at the Y, to put a mirror up to those people working here, is that they’re always kind and supportive. By the time you think they’ve done too much for you, they do more.”

While Kohler’s been swimming at the YMCA for more than two decades, his history with the sport goes back much further. He started swimming in 1967 per the recommendations of his doctor, and legendary Penn State baseball coach and athletic trainer Chuck Medlar.

Before joining the YMCA, he swam for decades at Penn State’s McCoy Natatorium.

When Kohler started the practice, he would swim eight laps in a day. That quickly rose to 20 laps, then 36 laps, which was equal to about one mile. As the years passed by though, Kohler has tapered that to four daily laps in the pool, which he still considers to be a healthy amount for his age.

“A football field is what, 100 yards? And four laps are 200 yards, so that means that every day I swim the length of football field and back, so when you look at that, you realize that that’s no short distance,” Kohler said.

At the surprise party, Kohler joked that the uncountable hours he’s spent swimming in the chlorinated pool water was the key to his longevity, and what kept him coming back. But he later shared that the endorphins released in his body after taking a dip were his real secret.

Because swimming is a full-body workout, it’s one of the activities that causes the brain to release the most endorphins, which are natural chemicals produced by the brain that act as the body’s built-in stress relievers.

“I’ve come out to a swim here, the natatorium, or any place, and didn’t really feel good,” Kohler said. “’Why am I here?’ I’d think. So then I swim, then I know why I’m here after. Boy do you feel like a different person because your blood has been circulated. You peak your systems and so forth, it’s really wonderful.”

For Kohler, swimming is an “activity of love,” he said.

He has also inspired others to take up the healthy practice, and has been putting smiles on the faces of all those he’s come across since he became a member, according to YMCA Membership Director Cindy Lupton.

“He is absolutely an inspiration to the members that come here, and I know a few swimmers that have picked it up because of him,” Lupton said. “He is so sharp for his age too. He’s always got a witty comment or remark for any situation, and he’s just a joy to be around.”

Several other YMCA employees and members also offered kind words to Kohler, including lifeguard and pool manager Zach Smith, who said that “very, very few” people have been coming to the YMCA as long as Kohler has, and that he “looks forward to seeing him every day.”

Sue Mazza, the YMCA member who donated Kohler’s birthday cake, agreed that he’s an inspiration — for herself and others.

“I have known Maynard for a long time,” Mazza said. “He helped me raise my kids, actually. He’s been a great part of my life, and I am very thankful for him, I appreciate him, and he’s an inspiration to all.”

Heidi Wright, a former member of the YMCA, traveled all the way from Portland, Oregon, to celebrate Kohler’s birthday. She met Kohler around 20 years ago while she was swimming, and said that she’s “always loved Maynard’s sense of humor and thoughtfulness.”

One of Kohler’s friends, Jerry Carlson, even brought the centenarian a gift — a ball cap with the line “It took me 100 years to look this good” on it, which Kohler proudly wore for the rest of the celebration.

“I looked this good before the hat too, I swear,” Kohler told the CDT.

Speaking to members of the media, Kohler also imparted some words of wisdom for those who haven’t quite hit the century mark yet.

“If you’re willing to admit it, what you do all throughout your early life, and all your life really, is that you make mistakes, and that you learn by those mistakes,” he said. “I probably, in retrospect, wouldn’t change anything, but there are always a few things that you wished you’d done better.”

Kohler said the next occasion he’d want a celebration for would be his 105th birthday, and that he plans on continuing to swim for as long as his body lets him.

This story was originally published January 23, 2026 at 3:09 PM.