At least three world records and 10 additional American records were set over the weekend at the USATF Masters Throws Championships in Lisle, Illinois — site of our 2012 masters outdoor nationals. Neni Lewis, whose W50 hammer records this season are now legend, placed herself squarely in contention for USATF Masters Athlete of the Year with her world record in the throws pentathlon of 4800 points, beating the listed WR of 4763 by Carol Finsrud in 2007, who took second at the meet. Neni also notched a WR in the weight throw of 17.44 (57-2 1/2). Ed Burke continued his assault on the M70 hammer with a WR of 59.04 meters (193-7). Results are here.

Myrle Mensey (front), Roz Katz (left) and W95 Betty Jarvis were among the ladies over 60 at Lisle. Others were Georgia Cutler, Carol Young and Gloria Krug.

Records reported by my sources (although a few may be missing):

1. AR for Paul Economides in the Throws Pent (M65)
2. WR for Neni Lewis in the Throws Pent (W50)
3. AR for Betty Jarvis in the Throws Pent (W95) — WR needs to be checked
4. WR for Ed Burke in the Hammer Throw (M70)
5. WR for Neni Lewis in the Weight Throw (W50)
6. AR for Neni Lewis in the Superweight (W50)
7. AR for Carol Young in the Weight Throw (W70)
8. ARs for Betty Jarvis in the HT, SP, DT, JT, WT and SW (W95)
9. AR for Paul Economides in the Discus Throw (M65)

W55 entrant Martha Green also writes: “Ruth Welding and Sue Hallen are due a huge shout-out for putting on an exemplary Throws Championships. By far the best of the few I have been to, with great facilities, top-notch officials, lots of meet provided implements, good banquet, on-time starts, etc., Additionally, I believe this meet had the largest number of competitors for a throws champs.”

Jerry Bookin-Weiner, USATF Masters throwing events coordinator, also shares this info on awards:

Gage and Feick Presented Pataki and Weinbel Awards at Throws Championships;
Gage Thrower of the Year Award Announced

At the USA Masters Throws Championships banquet on Saturday, August 7, the Lad Pataki and Ken Weinbel Awards were presented to Tom Gage and Ray Feick. USATF Masters Throwing Events Coordinator Jerry Bookin-Weiner also announced creation of the Tom Gage Thrower of the Year Award at the banquet.

The Pataki Award was established in 2007 in memory of Lad Pataki, one of the finest masters throwers of all time. Pataki, who fled his native Czechoslovakia and came to the US in 1985, won numerous national and world championships. He died of brain cancer in 2007. The award is presented to an outstanding American masters thrower who:

1. Exhibits consistent excellence in performance (world and American records and championships), not just in the year in which the award is presented but over time;

2. Consistently encourages and assists fellow competitors;

3. Sets a standard both in throwing and in sportsmanship that others seek to emulate.

Tom Gage, who received the Pataki Award posthumously, had a long career as an elite and masters thrower. He won numerous masters national championships in the shot, weight, hammer and weight pentathlon and held world records in the latter three in both M55 and M60. Past winners of the Pataki Award have been Carol Finsrud (2007) and Betty Jarvis (2009).

The Tom Gage Masters Thrower of the Year Award will honor the memory of Tom Gage, who died in July. It will be awarded for the first time in 2011 and annually thereafter. Bookin-Weiner said “this seemed to our committee to be the most appropriate way for us to establish an on-going memorial to one of the greatest masters throwers of all time.”

The Ken Weinbel Award was established in 2009 to honor Ken Weinbel, former Masters Committee chair, long-time masters thrower, and founder of the USA Masters Weight and Superweight Championships, which have now become the USA Masters Throws Championships. The award is presented to an American masters thrower who

1. Has made exemplary contributions to the masters throwing community over a period of years.

2. Has a strong record of accomplishment both as a thrower and as a meet organizer and administrator

Ray Feick, who was presented with the Weinbel Award at the banquet has been involved in masters throwing since the early days of masters track and field.

He has won numerous championships at the regional and national level and has medaled at both the WMA Championships and the World Masters Games. He went with a delegation of masters to compete in China after the WAVA meet in Miyazaki, Japan in 1993 and is a long-time Master level official as well, serving as head shot put official at the Penn Relays for many years. Feick served for three years as East Region Masters Coordinator.

As a delegate at the USATF National Convention led the charge resulting in the Ultra-Weight Pentathlon first being approved as an official event and then added as a Championship event beginning in 2009. He also has hosted the Throw-a-Thon for nearly a decade each June at Albright College in Reading, PA near his home and is promoting it as a Championship event, having secured its approval as an event several years ago. Tim Edwards was the winner of the Weinbel Award in 2009.