Archive for May, 2011

Mo Greene says no to masters — but at least question is asked!

It used to be rare that anyone aside from moi would ask elite tracksters whether they’d consider masters track. Now the question is becoming commonplace. The latest example appears on an obscure site called Sporting Alert. Gave me a heart attack, though. They ran this headline yesterday: American Maurice Greene has plans to run in […]

May 31, 2011   Posted in: Uncategorized  13 Comments

Richard Lowery, Gerald Vaughn snag M80, M75 records in HJ, shot

Catching up on great marks from a week ago: M80 flopper Richard Lowery cleared 1.35 meters (4-5 1/4) at Clermont, Florida, to equal the age-group world record and M75 thrower Gerald Vaughn raised his own American record in the shot at UNC Charlotte (site of the 2006 masters nationals) by putting the iron ball 13.30 […]

May 29, 2011   Posted in: Uncategorized  2 Comments

Bart Thomas has track in his genes — and football in his family

Bart Thomas — he of the recent M40 pentathlon record — graciously responded to my shameless inquisition. Fortunately, he’s used to torture. He brought me up to date on his career and interests. Born Jan. 30, 1971, Bart grew up in White Deer, TX (pop. 1,100) and was a Texas state champion in pole vault […]

May 28, 2011   Posted in: Uncategorized  2 Comments

Decathletes rally to rescue Joplin a year after nationals held there

Stefan Waltermann writes: “Almost exactly a year ago, Joplin, Mo., hosted the USATF Masters Decathlon Championships. We had wonderful hosts, hospitable, generous, helpful, knowledgeable people. The competition was well run, the parties were memorable. On the second day of the competition, a Sunday, our host asked for a little get-together and sang Amazing Grace in […]

May 25, 2011   Posted in: Uncategorized  11 Comments

Bart Thomas claims M40 American record in outdoor pentathlon

Bart Thomas of Texas says he “worked like a madman” for two years, and got his chance May 21 — a shot at the world record in the M40 outdoor pentathlon. The result? He beat the listed American record by 212 points but fell short of the WR of 3909 by Germany’s Joerg Lorenz by […]

May 24, 2011   Posted in: Uncategorized  16 Comments

Throwers have active chat going on Facebook, posting results, etc.

Facebook has hundreds of masters athletes posting daily updates and hoorays. One especially newsy page targets throwers. See it here. The post that caught my attention: “Like clockwork, Paul Ossmann is back on track for worlds. This morning Paul competed at Mike Judge’s THROW1DEEP Meet in the Atlanta area. Paul managed all his throws over […]

May 23, 2011   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment

Can’t wait to see their uniforms! Jamaicans entered at Sacramento

The homeland of Usain Bolt is sending 23 athletes to Sacramento worlds, according to this report. With their traditional yellow-and-green colors, they could have the coolest unis at the meet. The story says: “The athletes, eight of whom reside overseas, will compete in the sprints, field events, and the marathon, according to the Jamaica Masters […]

May 22, 2011   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment

Above the Norm and below the belt? Seed times should be legit

Norm Harding of the United States has submitted marks of 10.70 seconds in the 100 and 21.70 for the deuce at Sacramento worlds. That would raise eyebrows even in the M35 age group. But Norm is an M60 sprinter. Oy vey. Not again. This recurring problem of bogus seed times — probably from their college […]

May 21, 2011   Posted in: Uncategorized  19 Comments

Roald Bradstock reaches 245-2 in javelin at age 49, eyes Trials

British Olympian Roald Bradstock, the naturalized U.S. citizen who is aiming for the British Olympic Trials in 2012, wrote yesterday: “Just got back from the meet in Tuscon, Arizona, this evening. Smashed the UK Masters Record again, 3 times, and also the World Age Record (49) 3 times each and moved up the UK rankings […]

May 20, 2011   Posted in: Uncategorized  3 Comments

Any Seattle-area masters athletes have shot at world/national titles?

Yesterday I got email from a Seattle newspaper writer: “I’m interested in writing about masters athletes and came across your name in that great New York Times story last year. I’m wondering if you might be able to direct me to some athletes in the Seattle area who might make good stories. I see that […]

May 19, 2011   Posted in: Uncategorized  11 Comments