Archive for November, 2005

Carlius funeral set; IMGA says WMA has no guaranteed seat

WMA’s Newsboard updates us on services for the late president of World Masters Athletics: “The funeral of Torsten Carlius will be held in Saint Maria church in Helsingborg, Sweden, on Thursday morning December 15th, 10:30 AM. The family requests no flowers and that people contribute to the Carlius Foundation, which was started by Torsten’s father, […]

November 30, 2005   Posted in: Uncategorized  Comments Closed

USATF posts Mathews column and 2005 Strategic Plan

Shaming works. Someone lit a fire under USATF, and both the December NMN column by George Mathews and the complete text of the 2005 Strategic Plan are now posted. USATF webmaster Keith Lively even sent a note of apology early Monday, getting Mathews off the hook by saying: “George sent me his column to post […]

November 29, 2005   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment

Does George Mathews work for National Masters News?

Sometimes it seems that way. George is nominally the chairman of USATF Masters Track & Field. As such, he occasionally informs us of his committee’s activities via a column in National Masters News. It’s called “Track & Field Report” in the current issue, December 2005. This month’s column is of special importance, since it summarizes, […]

November 28, 2005   Posted in: Uncategorized  3 Comments

Pawlik chosen Bengay Masters Athlete of the Year

Emil Pawlik, an oilman from Jackson, Mississippi, is this year’s Bengay Masters Athlete of the Year — as decided by the chairs of the Masters Track and Field and LDR committees and USATF President Bill Roe. Emil’s the second person to win the award. In last year’s inaugural presentation, W50 distance runner Kathryn Martin of […]

November 27, 2005   Posted in: Uncategorized  Comments Closed

Mr. Mayor is a proud masters trackster

Round Lake, Illinois — not far from the Wisconsin border — is a fast-growing burg of 15,000 souls with a part-time mayor. But this mayor is an avid masters track athlete who isn’t ashamed of boasting a top-30 ranking in the 55-meter dash. Meet 46-year-old Bill Gentes, “the blogging mayor,” who even links to this […]

November 26, 2005   Posted in: Uncategorized  Comments Closed

Masters prominent in Associated Press story

Seven years after I first wrote about her, W80 vaulter/sprinter/jumper Johnnye Valien got some deserved national attention today in an Associated Press story on geezer sports. Also mentioned is Bill Collins, in the context of being nominated for a Geezerjock of the Year award.

November 25, 2005   Posted in: Uncategorized  Comments Closed

RIP Torsten Carlius; now an opening in WMA

The IAAF and other sources report the death in Shanghai, China, of Torsten Carlius, who was president of World Masters Athletics for eight years until this past summer, when he was elected secretary of WMA at the San Sebastian world meet. Rex Harvey, WMA vice president-stadia, writes: “I understand that he was there trying to […]

November 24, 2005   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment

Sacto misses deadline for 2008, will seek 2009 nationals

When Sacramento lost to Eugene in the competition to host the 2008 Olympic Trials, it was bad news for the 2000/2004 Trials host but good news, or at least an opening, for masters in Northern California. The USATF Pacific Association eventually asked about hosting the 2008 USATF Masters National Outdoor Track & Field Championships, local […]

November 24, 2005   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment

Robert Baker’s goal: come back better than before

Three months ago, Hurricane Katrina changed the lives of millions. One of them was M60 decathlete Robert Baker of Metairie, Louisiana, who told a story of tragic sadness. This week, I asked him for an update on his home and circumstances. Thankfully, he has some good news.

November 23, 2005   Posted in: Uncategorized  2 Comments

‘Masters Track: A History’ now searchable online

Len Olson’s history of masters track, published nearly five years ago, is now searchable online via a new Google function. Go to Google Books, type in “masters track Len Olson” — and voila! You have access to the complete contents of the book (some books you can read cover to cover). Google allows you to […]

November 22, 2005   Posted in: Uncategorized  Comments Closed