Archive for August, 2008

2009 Lahti world meet defies rules, lists 200m hurdles

The entry books for the 2009 WMA world masters championships in Lahti, Finland, were available at Spokane nationals last week, and the newly posted Lahti Web site confirms what I read: Be prepared for a qualifying standard of sorts. Starting heights have been listed for the high jump and pole vault. They aren’t onerous, but […]

August 17, 2008   Posted in: Uncategorized  21 Comments

2009 Clermont masters nationals called a go, but when?

Rumors have been flying that Clermont would forgo the 2009 masters outdoor nationals — and that Spokane would be willing to host again. So I wrote some enchiladas. The answer came swiftly. “False,” wrote USATF Masters T&F Chairman Gary Snyder. But many questions remain, including the status of the contract between USATF and the local […]

August 16, 2008   Posted in: Uncategorized  12 Comments

Jimson Lee posts dozens of sprint videos from Spokane

Jimson Lee of Canada and speedendurance.com brought his video camera to Spokane masters nationals and made good use of it. His prime focus was the sprints. He even caught an apparent unrecalled flyer by Leon Sanders in the M55 200, won by Bill Collins. Of the M65 200 won by Steve Robbins, Jimson wrote: “How […]

August 15, 2008   Posted in: Uncategorized  2 Comments

Bud Held, 80, is named USATF Athlete of the Week

Every year following masters outdoor nationals, USATF reserves its Athlete of the Week award for a top performer at the masters meet. This year, many stars were worthy — including M55 Bill Collins, M65 Steve Robbins and W55 Kathy Martin. But USATF likes to mix things up, too. So this year they named Bud Held, […]

August 14, 2008   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment

Spokane was laid-back, friendly host to masters nationals

This was my 11th masters outdoor nationals since 1995, and I haven’t been to one with more helpful, friendly, kind, cheerful and courteous meet management, led by Marla Emde of the Spokane Sports Commission and USATF’s Jim Flanik of the Games Committee. Other nationals featured some truly officious officials, who liked to throw their weight […]

August 11, 2008   Posted in: Uncategorized  20 Comments

David Pain gets standing ‘O’ at Spokane Athletes Banquet

It was magical and memorable and more. Tonight’s Athlete Banquet at the Northern Quest Casino west of Spokane drew 400 athletes, friends, families and officials. In a room with four screens tied to one computer system, Linda Pain presented a slide show of her husband David Pain’s life, and as David went up on stage […]

August 9, 2008   Posted in: Uncategorized  3 Comments

Bud Held claims his first M80 world record at Spokane

In the mid-1950s, when he was an Olympian, Bud Held set world records in the open javelin. Ten years ago, at 70, he set an age-group world record in the high jump. So what does he do upon entering M80? He sets a world record in the pole vault, of course. Returning to an event […]

August 7, 2008   Posted in: Uncategorized  4 Comments

Eurovets finish with 10 world records, and some doubts

We two Stones (the lovely Chris and skinny Ken) are heading for Spokane today, and who knows how my Net connection will be on the road. But here’s some newsy news for ya, anyway: The just-completed Eurovets championships in Slovenia had some great performances, but maybe not as good as they think. The site boasts […]

August 6, 2008   Posted in: Uncategorized  3 Comments

Spokane to boast 44 recent world champions (at least)

I don’t have anything against vaulters, honest. Some of my best friends are vaultish. But while preparing lists of world champions from Clermont-Ferrand and Riccione entered at Spokane nationals, I overlooked three stick-jumpers: M40 Trevor Richards, M80 Bud Held and W65 Nadine O’Connor. All took gold in Italy. My apologies. I’ve updated the USATF Masters […]

August 5, 2008   Posted in: Uncategorized  6 Comments

Ortman stacks the deck with wisdom for Spokane-goers

By virtue of no authority, I hereby name David Ortman of Seattle the poet laureate of masters track. At least for this week. On the eve of the Spokane masters nationals, starting Thursday, Dave has tweaked a famous Kenny Rogers tune, making it ours. On a more serious note, check the Forum for a lively […]

August 5, 2008   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment