Archive for July, 2016

Henry Ellard sets M55 TJ American record at USA Masters Games

Former NFL wide receiver Henry Ellard celebrated turning 55 this month by crushing the listed American record in the triple jump Sunday, the final day of the USA Masters Games. He did it without the presence of M60 Willie Banks, in the centerfold of Sunday’s Parade magazine (the newspaper supplement). The mag features seven older […]

July 31, 2016   Posted in: Uncategorized  4 Comments

Fanblinkingtastic! Rex Harvey announces recovery from rare cancer

WMA/USATF masters athlete and officiating legend Rex Harvey posted fabulous news Saturday on Facebook. Two years after being diagnosed, he appears to have conquered a rare form of appendix cancer. Rex, 70 and now living in Arizona, wrote: “Got really good news in Houston yesterday. Colonoscopy was clear and my cancer blood indicators are all […]

July 30, 2016   Posted in: Uncategorized  8 Comments

Where are results for USA Masters Games in North Carolina?

Folks on Facebook are sharing photos of their medals from Greensboro, North Carolina, and the USA Masters Games, but I’m not seeing results. I’ve written to a honcho. The meet started Thursday and runs through Sunday. USATF is officiating, says this page. Site also says: “The USA Masters Games does NOT have access to 27″ […]

July 29, 2016   Posted in: Uncategorized  5 Comments

Here’s how to use GoFundMe to raise money for Perth travel, etc.

Lots of people use crowdfunding sites, but many masters athletes are either leery or timid about trying. No more. USATF is providing training to use such fund-raising tools. Masters track marketing chair John Oleski says that at the 2015 annual meeting in Houston he met with chief spokeswoman Jill Geer seeking USATF help with sponsors […]

July 28, 2016   Posted in: Uncategorized  No Comments

Michigan memories: Waltz of the over-60 women’s high jumpers

I shot slo-mo video at the over-60 women’s high jump at Michigan nationals and took all of 2.001 seconds to pick the background music. Hint: It figured prominently in a Stanley Kubrick film. So here you go, Strauss fans. Just as classic are the photos shot at Grand Valley State University by Doug “Shaggy” Smith, […]

July 27, 2016   Posted in: Uncategorized  7 Comments

Israeli M50 hammer thrower suspected of doping, Rio-bound or not

Remember the 50-year-old hammer thrower with the too-good-to-be-true 77.70 mark — an apparent world age-group record? He tops a list of suspected drug cheats. See this report. Soviet-born Oleksandr Dryhol, now of Israel, is being called out for his precipitous drop in 2012 – from 79.42 meters to 69.57 at the London Games. “At the […]

July 26, 2016   Posted in: Uncategorized  5 Comments

Michigan memories: Hall of Fame inductions highlight banquet

About 250 people attended the Athletes Banquet at Michigan nationals July 15. Meal was OK, but a first-ever ceremony was exceptional — 14 members of the USATF Masters Hall of Fame forming a reception line to greet 2015 inductees Phil Brusca, George Mathews and Oscar Peyton. (It starts 9:50 into tape.) The video includes the […]

July 25, 2016   Posted in: Uncategorized  5 Comments

Michigan memories: Champion Goldy warms up for M100 in year

In December 2002, the Rev. Champion Goldy told the Philadelphia Inquirer: “My goal is to run the 100 [meters] when I’m 100. That’s what I’m shooting for.” He doesn’t have long to go. At Michigan nationals, Champ was 99, winning five events — shot, discus, weight, javelin and, of course, the 100. I spoke to […]

July 24, 2016   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment

Bernard Lagat lowers M40 WR in 5000 by teensy-tiniest of margins

At Michigan nationals, the fastest 5000 was run by 41-year-old Ken Richendollar of Ohio. He clocked a nifty 16:04.51. The M40 winner at 2015 Lyon worlds was Jose Luis Blanco Quevedo of Spain in 15:40.88. So how are we to fathom Bernard Lagat’s latest sensation? The 41-year-old took third Friday in London to Olympic champ […]

July 23, 2016   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment

Allen Woodard wins USATF Athlete of the Week for M45 WR 400

Allen Woodard was named USATF Athlete of the Week just in time. Had Indy waited a few more hours, the winner would have been Keni Harrison for her WR 12.20 in the 100-meter hurdles in London. M45 Allen was a star at Michigan nationals. As USATF recounted: “Woodard (Houston, Texas) improved the M45-49 record he […]

July 22, 2016   Posted in: Uncategorized  14 Comments