Archive for March, 2012

American record HJ drama captured in Bloomington videos

M40 high leaper Matt McCubbins of South Bend, Indiana, writes: “This past weekend in Bloomington I was lucky enough to capture some historic high jump video, namely the record-shattering duel between Jim Barrineau and Kenny Drollinger in M55 High Jump. It’s not the highest caliber of footage, but the drama makes for an instant classic […]

March 21, 2012   Posted in: Uncategorized  12 Comments

Bloomington nationals netted 15 world indoor records (not Lida 200)

Thanks to USATF.org, we have a more complete accounting of the WRs set at Bloomington. The highlights include Jeanne Daprano notching her third world record on Day 3 (800), Kathy Bergen going sub 32 in the 2 for W70, and Canada’s Christa Bortignon improving her own W75 world record in the 60 hurdles (from 13.63 […]

March 21, 2012   Posted in: Uncategorized  2 Comments

Hoosier hospitality, Bloomington nationals get raves from sprinter

M65 sprinter Rick Parker writes regarding Bloomington nationals: “I think something ought to be said about how WELL this meet was run – especially in light of all the distraction about financial disclosures, lawsuits, TRO’s, etc.” Good point. In light of recent meltdowns at Landover and Albuquerque indoor masters nationals, with records being lost amid […]

March 20, 2012   Posted in: Uncategorized  33 Comments

Earl Fee speaks for the feet — and doubts trendy ‘minimalist’ shoes

Earl Fee may finish writing books but never thinking about their subjects. So the Canadian WR man couldn’t wait to express his views on “minimalist” running shoes. His bottom line? Beware. “Lately, I had been reading a lot about the advantages of minimalist shoes and even barefoot running,” Earl writes in an essay he shared. […]

March 19, 2012   Posted in: Uncategorized  18 Comments

Jeanne Daprano sets third record at Bloomington indoor nationals

As expected, Bob Lida won the M75 200 at Bloomington today. In fact, his time of 27.86 is denoted as an American record, beating the listed mark of 29.57. But if USATF is heads-up, they won’t call it a record. Bob ran 27.03 in mid-January. On the other hand, Jeanne Daprano did something no W75 […]

March 18, 2012   Posted in: Uncategorized  7 Comments

Bill Collins’ stunning comeback from illiness: indoor WR in 60 at 61

Only months ago, Bill Collins was worried about his career, having been diagnosed with Guillain-BarrĂŠ syndrome. Now his main concern is where to hang his latest national gold medal. At Bloomington today, Bill at 61 ran 60 meters in 7.58 seconds to shatter the listed M60 world indoor record of 7.66 by Vladimir Vybostok in […]

March 17, 2012   Posted in: Uncategorized  16 Comments

Raschker, Lida lead record barrage at Bloomington indoor nationals

After Day 1 of indoor nationals, my breath is already taken away: Six world records set, trumpets the posting on USATF.org I haven’t checked to see if earlier, unreported marks are superior, but these look current. Phil Raschker has more world records to my her name than I have hairs on my head, and M75 […]

March 17, 2012   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment

Neni Lewis awaits surgery on March 30, hoping to avert paralysis

Masters Hall of Famer Neni Lewis easily is the greatest age-group thrower in history, especially in the hammer and weight. But her injury riddled career has suffered yet another blow. “I am out for the year and hopefully not out for good,” she wrote me this week.  “It has been suggested that I may have […]

March 16, 2012   Posted in: Uncategorized  11 Comments

John Ward Masters Games Outlives Host Men’s Track Program

Thank goodness for women’s track. If Santa Ana College (south of Los Angeles) didn’t have a women’s team, the long-lived John Ward Masters Games might be dead. I got confirmation this week from Jason Kehler of the SAC Athletic Department that the masters meet will again be held — this time on Sunday, April 15. […]

March 13, 2012   Posted in: Uncategorized  9 Comments

The essence of masters track epitomized by indoor hep nationals

If anyone asks what’s special about masters track, here’s your answer: We take a licking and keep on ticking. The latest examples were winners at the USATF National Masters Indoor Heptathlon Championships, where two record-setters couldn’t even walk in recent years. National Masters News summarized the highlights: “Two men and two women bettered American records […]

March 12, 2012   Posted in: Uncategorized  10 Comments