Archive for August, 2016

2 years of National Masters News added to archive; photos coming

Some good news and great news: Saturday I added 22 issues of National Masters News to mastershistory.org — our USATF-subsidized online museum. The issues are from 2003 and 2004 — all except the December editions. (I have them somewhere.) So now we have 338 issues of NMN online from 1977 to 2006. Also coming soon: […]

August 13, 2016   Posted in: Uncategorized  3 Comments

Myrle Mensey named USATF Athlete of the Week for two ARs

W65 thrower Myrle Mensey, with the good fortune of competing the week before Olympic track begins (when U.S. elite track is on hiatus), was named USATF Athlete of the Week on Thursday. USATF’s news release had errors, but got the major stuff right. USATF wrote: “The legendary Myrle Mensey (St. Louis, Missouri) threw the meet […]

August 12, 2016   Posted in: Uncategorized  2 Comments

Why anonymous comments are allowed on masterstrack.com

My hurdler friend Bill Pontius is the latest to ask: Why do you allow anonymous comments? I’m well aware of the arguments for and against, having dealt with truly vicious trolls at SignOnSanDiego.com for seven years (the website of The San Diego Union-Tribune). But this blog is less prone to really ugly comments. I start […]

August 11, 2016   Posted in: Uncategorized  21 Comments

Andy Hecker launches podcast with Rio Games track previews

Andy Hecker of Ventura, California, has a background in broadcasting and track — as a masters athlete and USATF official who has worked for the IAAF as a camera guy. So starting a podcast on track and field seems a natural next step. His first dozen episodes are previews of the Rio track meet. He’s […]

August 10, 2016   Posted in: Uncategorized  No Comments

Meet Henry Ellard: from NFL to M55 USA triple jump record man

Henry Ellard was a pretty fair football player — playing an exceptional 16 years in the NFL, gaining 15,000 all-purpose yards and scoring as many as 10 TDs one year as a receiver for the Rams. He also excelled in track — in high school and college. He tells me his PRs are 6-8 in […]

August 9, 2016   Posted in: Uncategorized  5 Comments

Krug, Lewis add records at USATF Masters Throws Nationals

Jerry Bookin-Weiner shares other highlights from the weekend’s USATF National Masters Throw Championships in Illinois. In individual events, he writes of records: “W85 – Gloria Krug hammer 16.62m, though she’s done better earlier in the season; best is 19.21 at the East Region meet in June. W85 – Gloria Krug superweight 5.83m. W75 – JoAnne […]

August 8, 2016   Posted in: Uncategorized  4 Comments

Myrle Mensey sets 2 records at USATF Masters Throws Nationals

USATF masters championships were held over the weekend in Illinois and Washington state, with results pending for the Masters Throws Championships at Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois. Myrle Mensey added to her legend by improving her own record in one event and destroying another. She writes: “Set a new American record today in the Ultra […]

August 7, 2016   Posted in: Uncategorized  5 Comments

Rex Harvey on masters doping: Penalties should be even tougher

During research for my MyNewsLA.com story on Liz Palmer, I wrote to Rex Harvey and Robert Thomas — the announced candidates to replace Gary Snyder as national masters T&F chair. Robert hasn’t responded, but Rex sent me a long note Friday. He’s in the tough-love camp, but also told me: “I would be more favorable […]

August 6, 2016   Posted in: Uncategorized  42 Comments

Photojournalist Susana Girón reveals masters track with keen eye

A new site (to me) called Geographical has a great overview of masters athletics. It says: “Photojournalist Susana Girón spent two years following some of the best of Europe’s athletes to various meets – Spain’s athletes in particular – visually documenting the passion for competition that still burns fiercely within them. At the last European […]

August 5, 2016   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment

Sabra Harvey, Don McGee, Dave Swarts win USATF grants to Perth

National chair Gary Snyder says Sabra Harvey and Don McGee — both national champions at Michigan — have been awarded $1,500 each to help defray expenses to Perth worlds. Kudos to you! Masters LDR gave M50 walker Dave Swarts $500 (one of two applicants). He was chosen by Paul Carlin and Lloyd Hensen, says Mary […]

August 4, 2016   Posted in: Uncategorized  5 Comments