Archive for August, 2006

Lofton’s goals: M50 records in 400, long jump

Who knew? I just thought he liked to run fast. Turns out that James Lofton, a new M50 sprinter, has been eyeing Fred Sowerby’s world-age group record in the 400 like a hawk. And a profile today in The San Diego Union-Tribune by my colleague Don Norcross says James wants the M50 long jump record, […]

August 11, 2006   Posted in: Uncategorized  2 Comments

The process for picking new masters chair

Becky Sisley of Oregon, the active athletes rep on the USATF Masters T&F Committee, shares the process for picking a successor to George Mathews, who has submitted his resignation and will step down as Masters T&F chair in December. Becky writes: “For your information, as a member of the MTF L&L committee for the past […]

August 11, 2006   Posted in: Uncategorized  Comments Closed

Pete Taylor begins reflections on Charlotte

Meet announcer Pete Taylor, recovering from four hideously long days of Charlotte excitement, has sent the first of several compilations of notes and quotes on this past weekend’s masters nationals. Soon I’ll share my own hideously voluminous recollections — as well as photos and videos. Also in the meantime, send in your own favorite stories! […]

August 10, 2006   Posted in: Uncategorized  2 Comments

Zelezny throws with the younger boys, ups masters record

Jan Zelezny upped his own M40 world age-group record in the javelin to 85.92 (281-11) in taking third today at the European Athletics Championships in Sweden. What can you say but: Wow! The age-graded equivalent is 96.94 (318-0), which for once is roughly equivalent to Jan’s all-time best of 98.48 (323-1) — also the open […]

August 9, 2006   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment

Ottey misses Euro final, points to 2007 IAAF worlds

Merlene Ottey missed the finals of the open 100 at the European Championships and was immediately pressed on naming a retirement date. Heck, she’s only 46! One story reported: “She was in contention until 10 meters from the finish, when she ran out of steam. ‘See you next year, Ottey said, indicating that she may […]

August 9, 2006   Posted in: Uncategorized  Comments Closed

Geezerjock.com reports highlights of Charlotte

Some guy named Ken Stone shipped an article on Charlotte nationals to Geezerjock magazine, and it was posted online today. USATF’s Tom Surber also did a great job on his daily reports from masters nationals. I’ll have my own detailed posts on the meet when I have time. (Last night I “slept” on a cot […]

August 8, 2006   Posted in: Uncategorized  17 Comments

Ottey lowers own W45 record in Euro 100 prelims

Mainstream media are noticing that Merlene Ottey is, like, old. But still hyperfast. The Associated Press reports from the European Championships in Goteborg, Sweden: ” Injuries might be able to slow down Merlene Ottey. Age certainly hasn’t seemed to have much affect. Making her European Championship debut at 46, Ottey appeared to have finally shaken […]

August 8, 2006   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment

Media man Weiner reflects on Mathews resignation

Bob Weiner, head of the USATF Masters T&F Media Subcommittee, was proud of his group’s operations at Charlotte nationals, generating some nice daily features in the Charlotte Observer (on Trent Lane, Phil Raschker, Kathryn Martin and others over the weekend). He also was tickled pink over broadcast coverage on Day 1 — even if some […]

August 7, 2006   Posted in: Uncategorized  Comments Closed

Pete Magill clicks to fourth M45 record of 2006

With pacing help from masters miler Tony Young, distance star Pete Magill of South Pasadena, California, took 20 seconds off the venerable M45 American record for 10,000 meters on the track Aug. 2, clocking 31:27.30 at a Club Northwest all-comers meet in Seattle. The old mark was set in 1977. Pete writes: “I felt great […]

August 7, 2006   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment

George Mathews resigns as Masters T&F chairman

Fed up with conflicts and kvetching, USATF Masters T&F Chairman George Mathews has resigned, effective in December, he told me tonight here in Charlotte. With two years left on his second four-year term, George will step down and let the Masters T&F Executive Committee (or a nominating committee) suggest his successor. Masters Vice Chair Suzy […]

August 6, 2006   Posted in: Uncategorized  6 Comments