Archive for July, 2006

Sullivan, Lofton impressive in 400 debuts

Former Arizona State University sprinter Michael Sullivan and NFL Hall of Famer James Lofton recently turned 45 and 50, respectively, and at the Trojan Masters Track Meet today at USC, they turned in great marks in the 400. Official results haven’t been posted yet, but Sullivan ran about 52.0 and Lofton 53.5 in separate races. […]

July 9, 2006   Posted in: Uncategorized  5 Comments

Ottey lowers own W45 100 record to 11.84.

Merlene Ottey, the 46-year-old Slovenian sensation (via Jamaica and Nebraska) dropped her own W45 world record in the 100 to 11.84 seconds yesterday at the the Cuxhaven world-class meet in Germany. She was sixth out of seven in her heat, but her rivals were young enough to be her kids. The previous record was 11.94, […]

July 8, 2006   Posted in: Uncategorized  2 Comments

James Lofton making M50 sprint debut this month

James Lofton is one of the best long sprinters in the masters world. But he rarely gets the attention he deserves because he doesn’t compete at nationals. As wide receivers coach for the San Diego Chargers (with hopes of being a head coach someday), James can’t get away from his day job in early August. […]

July 8, 2006   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment

Collins lowers own M55 world record in 100

Bill Collins, running in his hometown of Houston, clocked 11.41 for 100 tonight at the RunSport/Rice All-Comers meet at Rice University, reports USATF statmeister Glen McMicken. The wind was reported at 0.0. That’s Bill’s second M55 world-age group record in the 100 this year. Bill, 55, also ran the 400 in 54.21 tonight, Glen reports. […]

July 7, 2006   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment

Deadline looms for entering Charlotte masters nationals

Every year, without fail, people show up at masters nationals and say, “How do I enter?” And every year, meet officials roll their eyes and say, “Sorry, but the deadline was three weeks ago.” Often these late-bloomers are locals who read about the meet in the hometown papers, not realizing that deadlines have been promulgated […]

July 7, 2006   Posted in: Uncategorized  3 Comments

New York Times examines why ex-jocks give up the game

Feel bad about ever-declining marks and ever-increasing age? Consider the folks who never step into to the blocks or the throwing ring. The New York Times’ Jill Agostino did. She wanted to know why ex-jocks hang ’em up. It’s a question we once never asked. (We all knew the answer, we thought.) But with masters […]

July 7, 2006   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment

Nearman’s farsighted goal: race across America to fight child obesity

Steve Nearman is an M45 middle-distance standout in Alexandria, Virginia, who writes a running column for The Washington Times. But that’s a sideline. His main gig is financial consulting (between training runs). Now he’s combined his loves with an ambitious fund-raiser that he calls TREK (Trans America Relay Embracing Kids). The event takes place in […]

July 6, 2006   Posted in: Uncategorized  Comments Closed

Neil Griffin action photo by British shooter is here

Lesley Richardson, photographer of the masters stars, graciously provided a photo of M55 shot putter Neil Griffin in action at Linz. I’m still hoping to contact him about his doping case. But it ain’t easy. This note came from a high official with the European Veterans Athletics Association: “Unfortunately I do not have any more […]

July 5, 2006   Posted in: Uncategorized  Comments Closed

Time to challenge the drug police at WMA?

One of these days, a masters athlete wrongly accused of doping will stand up and say: Enough! Enough of the one-size-fits-all policy that lumps the elites with the age-groupers. Enough of a wacked-out system that “allows” medical waivers for masters but makes you sick from jumping through hoops. I think a case may be developing […]

July 5, 2006   Posted in: Uncategorized  6 Comments

WMA puts two Linz medalists on suspended list

Two shot putters — one M55 and one M40 — tested positive for steroids at the Linz world masters indoor meet in March, WMA President Cesare Beccalli confirmed today. The athletes — M55 silver medalist Neil Griffin of Britain and M40 silver medalist Andrew Fedyashin of Russia “have been provisionally suspended, pending the outcome of […]

July 4, 2006   Posted in: Uncategorized  4 Comments