Archive for December, 2005

New details on Millrose masters relays

So who knew first about the masters relays at Millrose? According to Devon Martin, coach at the Cenrtral Park Track Club, it wasn’t her — as suggested in my previous post. She writes: “It was announced at the USATF convention that the masters relays were being ‘put back in.’ Then Mary Trotto sent the email […]

December 11, 2005   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment

Masters relays at Millrose: The secret is out

Performing artists have Carnegie Hall. Indoor track has the Millrose Games. Nearly a century old, the meet is tailored for the elites, with officials wearing tuxedos. It also invites masters (except for 2005). This coming year, Millrose management is contesting 4×4 relays for men and women. News of the events is posted on the Central […]

December 10, 2005   Posted in: Uncategorized  Comments Closed

The ultimate masters record: Who’s the oldest athlete?

Today’s news that a 116-year-old lady in Ecuador is the oldest human makes me wonder: Who’s the oldest track athlete now? Until April 2005, it was John Whittemore of suburban Santa Barbara, California (who at 104 was still a thrower). But M100s are exceedingly rare, and we haven’t seen an M105 age-grouper yet.

December 9, 2005   Posted in: Uncategorized  Comments Closed

Willie Banks featured in Spanish photo gallery

Willie Banks of Southern California, the former world record holder in the triple jump, made a big splash at San Sebastian — even after taking second in the M45 event to the German who holds the age-group record. Now I’ve stumbled across a photo gallery from worlds that has a ton of great shots of […]

December 8, 2005   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment

My donations to Athletics for a Better World

Olympic champ Dick Fosbury, an occasional masters jumper, is one of the latest donors of track memorabilia to the IAAF’s Athletics for a Better World” drive, which will auction off celebrity gear to raise money for some United Nations charities, including UNICEF. Fosbury is donating a framed photo of himself from 1968. Big whoop. I […]

December 7, 2005   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment

Time to comb IAAF Top Lists for masters records

Track season is well behind us, and the IAAF Top Lists beckon. A treasure trove of marks, these seasonal rankings should be mined for masters records. Now that M35 is an official age group in World Masters Athletics, it behooves the powers that be to peruse said lists. In just one 10-second sweep of the […]

December 6, 2005   Posted in: Uncategorized  Comments Closed

Masters T&F Committee supports $10 annual dues increase

Suzy Hess, vice chair of the USATF Masters T&F Committee, reports: “Don’t know about the $10.00 dues increase yet as the decision was to be made Sunday afternoon at the USATF Executive Board Meeting after the closing session. Youth voted it down big time. Masters T&F voted for it, masters LDR against.” A few hours […]

December 5, 2005   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment

Bill Collins named inaugural Geezerjock of the Year

Competition is good. Last week we heard one choice for the top masters tracko — M65 decathlete Emil Pawlik, chosen by USATF as Masters Athlete of the Year. Today we get another pick: M50 sprinter Bill Collins, named Geezerjock of the Year. Bill’s credits include sweeping the 1, 2 and 4 at Hawaii masters nationals […]

December 5, 2005   Posted in: Uncategorized  Comments Closed

How much will American masters have to ante up?

The USATF annual meeting is over. Awards have been given and policies debated. Delegates and muckymucks have packed up in Jacksonville, Florida, and begun flying home. But for masters track athletes in the United States, two main questions linger: What’s USATF gonna charge us now for annual membership, and what will it buy? Going into […]

December 4, 2005   Posted in: Uncategorized  3 Comments

Nadine O’Connor joins Pawlik as Masters Athlete of the Year

USATF Masters Track and Field today named Nadine O’Connor as Masters Athlete of the Year (Female), joining previously named M65 decastar Emil Pawlik (Male Masters Athlete of the Year). Nadine set yet another W60 pole vault world record this season, won sprints at nationals and would be credited with a 200-meter world record if a […]

December 3, 2005   Posted in: Uncategorized  Comments Closed