The consummate announcer adds Boston reflections
What do mafioso and masters have in common? They get nicknames. Well, at least the athlete superstars do. I refer to Phil “The Legend” Raschker. Pete Taylor coined Earl “The Great” Fee. And now in his latest thoughts on this past weekend’s Boston masters nationals, where he was meet announcer, Pete dubs M45 hurdler Karl Smith “The Quick.” Sounds good to me.
Pete’s latest report:
Many, many good things to talk about.
In the 60 hurdles, Karl “The Quick” Smith was unreal, to put it mildly. The 1984 Olympian (representing Jamaica, Karl starred at the University of Texas) gets to the first hurdle so fast it’s absurd. Not long ago the world indoor mark for M45 was 8.36; it’s 8.18 now that Karl has had his way. Karl, who is 5’11″, reports a recent 400 dash (indoors) of about 51 flat. Oh my goodness, as I would say.
California’s Dave Ashford, who ran 13.73 for 110 hurdles (39 inches) in Puerto Rico (2003) can get a track scholarship anywhere he wants in my state (Virginia). The top time at the University of Virginia (42-inch hurdles) last year was 14.31 seconds. I don’t think that guy wants to tangle with Dave. But Mr. Ashford is in his 40s and doesn’t need to go to college. He was very impressive at Boston in winning M40 hurdles.
Nadine O’Connor (W60 winner in hurdles from California) should be locked up, she is so good. Irene Thompson (W50 winner in hurdles from upstate New York) needs more recognition, as she has had a great career highlighted by her 100 and 200 wins at Buffalo (1995 Worlds) and her membership on the first women’s masters team to break 4 minutes in 4 x 400 (Eugene, 1996).
Newcomer B.J. Freeman (who won the hurdles and pentathlon, don’t know about her other events) is 47 going on 20 and is someone to watch. A former gymnast, B.J. (from Calgary, Alberta) claims only about four actual track meets before this one. Maybe being a gymnast helps.
In the mile, John Hinton of North Carolina showed me something special (he won M40 in 4:16.23). There was great excitement in mile, 400, and 200 — they may have been the most exciting events of meet.
The second of the women’s 3000s (Wanda Toro Scheib in W40 was first with a time of 10:49.98; her rivals Terri Cassel in 10:53.02 and Carla Kehoe [who fell 100 meters from finish] in 10:53.65 ) brought the house down.
Pete Magill from California was very impressive in posting best men’s time of night in 3000 (8:43.12); first time I had seen him run. As in 60, Aaron Thigpen (from San Diego State) showed consummate ability as he roared to victory in M40 200 in 22.73. Aaron ran 10.80 at Hawaii in finals (but I believe he ran 10.73 in trials — must have been wind-aided). Another scholarship, also not needed? Best time at University of Virginia last season was 10.65 by someone presumably 2 decades younger.
With all of the brilliance and the great reaction of spectators at Boston one hopes there will be more greats and near-greats coming to future meets.
Related posts:
- Charlie Kern adds Boston New Balance mile title with sub-4:20
- Raschker adds to record haul at Boston indoor nationals
- Nearman leads Boston drive for our gifted announcer
- Penn Relays info online; Boston adds day to deadline
- Pete Taylor confirmed as Boston indoor announcer
7 Responses
Pete Taylor does indeed do a great job. I always make a point of going up at a meet and thanking him personally. Again i say “thanks Pete”… Lets not forget without the 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th place finishers as well we really dont have a balanced track meet. Most people do NOT go home with a medal and perhaps those people deserve some real CREDIT and recognition as well.Masters track to me is about the challenge of pushing ones own limits (whatever that may be) and participating with other athletes in this process.In my experience the final finish placement does not always tell the story of who worked hardest. Many athletes who will not finish with a medal are working to maximum potential and deserve recognition just like the gold medal winner. This past weekend i met an athlete from Austin Texas, Lamar Galloway who finished 8th in the mens 50-54 400 meters.I cant think of a “nickname” for him (yet) but i want to thank him for coming all the way from Texas to make this meet a bit more meaningful.I dont think he came expecting to finish in the top 3 but he came none the less and ran to the best of HIS ability at this time. This is significant and i feel deserves recognition and a real “thank you”.We might be well advised to reach out to other athletes as well…PARTICIPATION>> memebership is needed to keep Masters Track alive and vital…In conclusion i wish to thank Lee Hess and Steve Viatones for a great meet..
Pete Taylor’s announcing is always one of highlights of the national masters meets. Add this to one of his phrases “the popular Mary Trotto”. For those of you who do not know “the popular Mary Trotto”, she is one of those rare athletes who will try any and all events and with great gusto. While her name may not pop to the top of the charts of the greats, she brings great enthusiasm and ever increasing skill to the many events she enters. A good name indeed for “the popular Mary Trotto”.
And thanks indeed to Less Hess and Steve Viatones for another well run meet at Reggie.
Right you are, Mr. Schiro. Sure, I’m enjoying being in the company of superstars. Running in the same heat as the great Bill Collins inspires me and makes me train even harder. Meeting an 87 year old Olga Kotelka motivates me and greatly helps with long term planning. However, spending over a thousand dollars to participate and not even finding your name in the USATF published results is a bit disappointing. (Besides having to explain to your spouse that you really did go to Boston…)
Just to let you know that Carla Kehoe with the fall ran her last 200 in 40 seconds flat. She originally wasn’t going to run the 3k. Her main goal was the 800 and was going to run just the 400 and 800. But after a jog Friday morning she felt pretty good and decided to run the 3k.
She will be back next year and run it again.
I figured I was going to need a miracle in the 200 as I hadn’t run that far since last October. Pete provided that miracle. I “slogged” around the backstretch, but when he said my name I found another gear and ran negative splits. Thanks, Pete, for all of your kind words and for providing an exciting meet atmosphere. Your interest, knowledge and acknowledgement do make us all feel special.
Also, one of the best things about the meet was the proximity of all the athletes, providing great camaraderie, as well as viewing. For the first time I got to watch in awe the high jumpers and the throwers. In my next life I want to come back as a 35 pound weight thrower. Those guys are awesome. I was also impressed by the concentration of the high jumpers in the midst of all the hurdlers warming up. I think one jumper was going for record and despite all of the interruptions, he kept is concentration and was even gracefully forgiving of those who got in his way. Does anyone know who that was?
I want to add my comments about Peter Taylor. He is the greatest track announcer I have ever heard. His knowledge and memory are phenomenal. I always take the time to tell him how much I appreciate what he does and the fact that he remembers who I am and what I have accomplished.
Wayne Bennett
Pete great job announcing the meet. I only have one constructive criticism.You mention the Team competition as one of the highlights of the meet and I noticed that very few club names were mentioned attached to the athletes representing those clubs. It’s seems like a no brainer that club recognition would create more excitement –Especially sense we are trying to encourage Team competition and we are only in our second year of Masters Team competition. I think we are missing an opportunity here– Again Thanks to Steve, Lee, John and the Games Committee for a very good meet.
Leave a Reply