Archive for May, 2007

Payton Jordan won’t make a comeback as an M90

Joy Upshaw-Margerum is a lucky duck. Not only does she have amazing athletic talent and belong to a storied track family, but she also gets to attend some great parties. Last week, she went to the celebration of Don Bowden, the first American to run a sub-4 mile — 50 years ago. She also got […]

May 5, 2007   Posted in: Uncategorized  2 Comments

Dozens of nominees for masters Athletes of Year

Nearly 60 masters-age athletes — including Allen Johnson, Gail Devers and Jeff Hartwig — are nominees for Masters Athletes of the Year. The vast majority are age-group record holders and national masters champions. (See the list below.) If a deserving athlete isn’t mentioned, here is good news: Dave Clingan, chair of the USATF Masters Awards […]

May 4, 2007   Posted in: Uncategorized  Comments Closed

1980 Trials thrower back setting records at age 55

Tom Meyer of San Diego’s Scripps Ranch neighborhood isn’t a household name in masters track. Wait till Riccione. An M55 thrower, Tom set an American record in the 25-pound weight toss March 16 at Cal State Northridge with a heave of 18.04 meters (59-2-3/4). That beats the listed AR of 17.87 (58-7 1/2) by Hank […]

May 4, 2007   Posted in: Uncategorized  4 Comments

Stacy Dragila is master at last, claims W35 record

Stacy Dragila turned 35 in March 2006 but didn’t compete last year due to injury. Watch out, folks. She’s baaaacccccck! Last Saturday, Stacy vaulted 4.30 (14-1 1/4) in Provo, Utah. That betters the listed W35 WR of 4.22 by Romania’s Gabriella Mihalcea in 1999. The listed W35 American record is 3.53 (11-7) by Sue DiMarco […]

May 3, 2007   Posted in: Uncategorized  Comments Closed

Russian Olympian, 38, wants back in the Games

Barcelona and Sydney medalist Irina Privalova is 38, but she still has Olympic fever. Her coach/hubby tells the IAAF: ““The aim is still the same – participation in the 2008 Olympic Games. The exact distances are yet to be considered, but the likely choice will be the usual 100 and 200 metres.” In 2000, Irina […]

May 3, 2007   Posted in: Uncategorized  Comments Closed

USATF masters service award named for David Pain

David Pain is our founding father — the meet organizer who launched our niche sport in 1966 with his “masters miles” and later national and world masters meets. Already a member of the USATF Masters Hall of Fame, David has been honored again. This time an award has been named for him. The USATF Masters […]

May 3, 2007   Posted in: Uncategorized  4 Comments

Visit America/Canada, Germans masters are told

Americans headed for Riccione in September are bracing for sticker shock — on everything. The dollar/euro exchange rate is obscene. But the flip side is that Europeans can spend like tycoons when they visit the United States and Canada. So says Annette and Robert Koop on their German masters track site. Quoting German-born athlete Hillen […]

May 2, 2007   Posted in: Uncategorized  9 Comments

Uniforms available, says USATF member services czar

Over the weekend, a masters athlete wrote to USATF: “The masters going to the world (meet) in Italy have no uniforms available and they’re mandatory. Applications are due May 14th. Any suggestions for us?” The note was forwarded to Sherry Quack, USATF associations and member services manager. Sherry replied: “There are uniforms available to the […]

May 2, 2007   Posted in: Uncategorized  2 Comments

Part II of interview with Orono meet director Ranson

Rolland Ranson is stoked. As meet director of this summer’s masters nationals in Maine, he’s on a Q&A roll. Peter Taylor submitted some more questions to him, and Coach Ranson answers with energy and enthusiasm. Part 1 of the interview is here. Interesting narrative device employed below (the athletes are composites, Pete says). Taylor writes: […]

May 2, 2007   Posted in: Uncategorized  Comments Closed

Suzy Favor Hamilton targeting the Trials at age 39?

Three-time Olympian Suzy Favor Hamilton told her old hometown paper in Wisconsin that she’s thinking of trying for the 2008 Summer Olympics. The Opening Ceremonies at Beijing are August 8, 2008 — Suzy’s 40th birthday. To make the 1500 team, she’d have to run a Trials qualifying standard of 4:19.50 (or 4:10 if more than […]

May 1, 2007   Posted in: Uncategorized  2 Comments