Archive for July, 2014

WMA’s Rex Harvey details his ‘bump in the road’ — colon cancer

Hall of Famer Rex Harvey was missing from North Carolina nationals, where he would have been a member of the green-shirted Games Committee. I knew why. Rex, our decathlon great and USATF/WMA go-to official, had been diagnosed with colon cancer. The good news is that he’s leveraging his incredible sense of humor. On Tuesday, he […]

July 22, 2014   Posted in: Uncategorized  35 Comments

IAAF Council OKs masters exhibition events at 2015 Beijing worlds

Masters in the Bird’s Nest! How cool is that? Here’s how the IAAF reported a return of masters to outdoor worlds: “World Championships – Beijing, China – 22-30 August 2015. A recommendation by the Technical Delegates’ to organise Masters category exhibition events as part of IAAF World Championships was approved. Masters events (categories 50 years […]

July 21, 2014   Posted in: Uncategorized  4 Comments

Legendary masters 100 record falls (at last) to Kim Collins (9.96)

Ratification is another matter, but there’s little doubt that 38-year-old Kim Collins ran 100 meters in 9.96 seconds Sunday in London. That breaks the listed M35 world record of 9.97 by British Olympic champ Linford Christie in 1995. By contrast, Chris Ricketts won the M35 century at North Carolina nationals in 11.84 (into a 1 […]

July 21, 2014   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment

‘Treasure of masters track’ Carroll DeWeese shares gems in talk

Some 300 people attended Saturday’s Athletes Banquet at North Carolina nationals, where 2013 awards were handed out. One went to longtime USATF and WMA official Carroll DeWeese, described as “the treasure of masters track and field” by Awards Committee chair Mary Trotto. Of course, Carroll is just happy to be anywhere, not just the recipient […]

July 21, 2014   Posted in: Uncategorized  6 Comments

Party time follows record-setting day at North Carolina nationals

The shuttle hurdle relay came of age Saturday. Three age-group records were set at North Carolina nationals on a day when the weather was near perfect for all events. Rain early in the day and later in the afternoon kept things cool mostly. World records were set in several events, aptly detailed by USATF intern […]

July 19, 2014   Posted in: Uncategorized  4 Comments

Masters dashers run 100 meters at Wake Forest, not 99.95

Folks running the 100 at North Carolina nationals may have been surprised to find white tape instead of a painted line to put their hands behind. That’s because Wednesday, the day before the meet started, members of the Games Committee found a rare mismeasurement of the 100. Actually, they were tipped to the glitch when […]

July 19, 2014   Posted in: Uncategorized  3 Comments

Oh so close! Barton, Shaheed miss major barriers by whisker

Brad Barton almost went sub-4 in the 1500 and Nolan Shaheed missed setting a world record on his 65th birthday by only 1.5 seconds. So it went Friday on another lucky weather day at North Carolina nationals. At 48, Brad won the M45 15 by 11 seconds (beating middle-distance star Nick Berra) and clocked 4:00.32 […]

July 18, 2014   Posted in: Uncategorized  7 Comments

Flo Meiler’s monster challenge (14 events) opens with pent WR

Flo Meiler, aka the 80-year-old Energizer Bunny, was hesitant to promise me she’d vault today at nationals. She was still in the midst of the pentathlon when I quizzed her. But you know, Flo. The Vermonter can’t resist a challenge. She’s entered in 14 events at Wake Forest, and she won at least three on […]

July 17, 2014   Posted in: Uncategorized  2 Comments

Sabra Harvey (800), Quenton Torbert (SP) set American records

Day 1 of masters nationals saw at least two American records. At Wake Forest University, W65 Sabra Harvey gutted out an 800 in 2:42.14 to lower the listed AR of 2:44.43 by Jeanne Daprano in 2002. Jeanne, in the same race, won W75 in 3:32.23. Sabra was running just her second 800 of the season […]

July 17, 2014   Posted in: Uncategorized  2 Comments

Looking for dinner partners Thursday night at N.C. nationals

I’m booked Friday and Saturday nights, but I’d be thrilled to tag along with a group going out to dinner tonight in Winston-Salem. I prefer local color, not some chain restaurant. I promise to behave. I also have room for one or two people in my tiny Toyota Yaris if you need a ride to […]

July 17, 2014   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment