Archive for July, 2009
Oshkosh Day 3: Sabra Harvey’s out-of-the-woodwork WR
Sabra Harvey, a Houston grandmother, broke the listed W60 world record in the 800 today at Oshkosh nationals â one of several WRs to go down. Her time of 2:34.66 smashes the 2:36.94 by Hollandâs Gerda Van Kooten at 1999 Gateshead worlds. On the Age Graded Tables, her mark corresponds to an open (age 20-30) time […]
July 11, 2009
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Oshkosh Day 2: Crashing and burning becomes contagious
Bill Collins today won perhaps his eighth straight outdoor 400 title at nationals, limped over to the artificial grass infield and plopped on the ground. I asked him, âHowâs the leg?â He replied, âHurts like hell.â Trainers at the nearby medical tent wrapped Billâs lower leg in ice â their latest patient on Day 2 […]
July 10, 2009
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Parking fee to go away, but admission stays at Oshkosh
National Chairman Gary Snyder told his Executive Committee last night that the $3 parking fee at Oshkosh (which even he paid) would be dropped for the rest of the meet â not just due to complaints but because USATFâs contract with the University of Wisconsin called for complimentary athlete parking. Not so lucky with the […]
July 10, 2009
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Oshkosh Day 1: 3 world records new and one old celebrated
Just a quickie post. Gotta compete in 9 hours. Three world age-groups records were set at Oshkosh nationals today as athletes competed in comfy low 80s while commiserating about the chance of showers Friday. And at night, the USATF Masters T&F Executive Committee began work on overhauling the records process after hearing my 10-minute rant that […]
July 9, 2009
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USA Today features Nadine O’Connor and Bud Held big time
The Sports page of USA Today today has a big spread on W65 vault icon Nadine OâConnor and her partner Bud Held, with great details on their masters lives and motivations. Plus this fascinating tidbit: â âWith older athletes, I think they appreciate being able to be out there,â said OâConnor, among the 526 women […]
July 9, 2009
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Will Oshkosh weather dampen McBarnette’s record bid?
World champion Bruce McBarnette reports that he raised his own American record in the M50 high jump in mid-June at a Virginia all-comers meet. In a press release sent yesterday, he says he cleared 1.92 meters (6-3 1/2) at Major J. Wells track at Falls Church High School â his ninth M50 record. Current forecasts show […]
July 9, 2009
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6 Comments
Mike Powell (again) renews talk of masters long jump WR
Mike Powell, who broke Bob Beamonâs hallowed long jump record, has been talking about a serious masters track comeback for years. Now heâs on the record at some obscure site that nobody ever visits. We learn from the IAAF: âWorld Long Jump record holder Mike Powell talked eloquently about his role as an IAAF Ambassador […]
July 7, 2009
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24 Comments
Bob Matteson bearing down on M90 world record for 200
I love small-town papers. They donât give a fig for formalities. Latest example: A headline in the Bennington Banner (in Vermont) says, âGazelle scores despite storm.â The paper reports: âBenningtonâs Bob Matteson defied the elements at the Adirondack Masters Championships in Valatie, N.Y., this past Friday. The Geezer Gazelle was slowed by pounding rain and […]
July 7, 2009
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Final call for signatures! Help secure saner records system
Petition goes to Oshkosh tomorrow! Enough talk. Time for action. On May 4, I launched a petition drive to repair our out-of-whack records process. This is Step 1 in a journey that I hope will lead to adoption of new governance rules at the USATF annual meeting in Indianapolis this December. One cranky blogger can […]
July 7, 2009
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Olympian Jearl Clark is latest scratch for Oshkosh nationals
Olympic gold medalist (in relays) Jearl Clark isnât coming to Oshkosh nationals. USATF communications chief Jill Geer reports that Jearl (who no longer goes by Jearl Miles-Clark) âsays sheâs not going to be there. Husband had to go overseas at the last minute.â Bummer. Jearl had been entered in the W40 100, 200 and 400 […]
July 6, 2009
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7 Comments