Peter Taylor isn’t done. His tales from Boston continue: “Before I start, let me thank Steve Vaitones, Lee Hess, Carroll “Butch” Blake, Ken Robichaud, Gary Snyder, Pat Lavelle, Laurie Boemker, Phil Byrne and others for all of their support relative to helping me do a good job at Boston 2007 and for making the meet a good one in general. By the way, some rumors are true and others are not – apparently the reason for the late opening on Saturday was some unexpected work on the public transportation system that caused the person with the key to be late.”

Peter continues:

Is Phil Raschker (age 60 years, 1 month) good or what? I go back with Phil to the 1982 National Masters Sports Festival (Franklin Field, Philadelphia); we had heard of her but needed to see her in person. When she hit the line in the 400 in 1982, as I recall, the clock on the Weightman Hall wall said 56.9; I believe her FAT was 56.99. “Coxie” (Bill Cox, one of our top officials) thought there had been an equipment malfunction – how could a woman run a 56.9? Twenty-five years later (on Sunday) Phil went to the line in the 200 and proceeded to scorch a 28.94 (57.88 pace for 400). Wow!
When Mel Larsen was doing his thing I made sure people knew that the “Iowa Cyclone” was 82 years old. Mel knocked out a 33.63 in the 200 to show us all that he still has some serious speed. Nadine O’Connor (All World No. 2; Phil Raschker is All World No. 1) has just been named USATF Athlete of the Week, I understand, for her performances at Boston. Way to go, Nadine. By the way, Joy Upshaw-Margerum, whose father broke Jesse Owens’ longstanding high school record in the long jump several decades ago, is All World No. 3. To be in this category you must be a woman and be brilliant in the sprints, hurdles, and field events (thus the “All” applies to both the world and to the breadth of track and field).
Randy Frey (M45), who fell (and hurt himself badly) in the 60 several years ago (I think it was 2004) had two sensational wins — beating Val Barnwell by 0.01 sec in the 60 and edging Val by 0.03 sec in the 200. I have never seen so many tight races as we had at Boston 2007. My friend Sid Howard, by the way, won the M65 800 by 0.05 sec over Mack Stewart.
James Morton (M50) shocked a lot of people by opening up a huge lead early in the 800 over national champs Steve Chantry and James Robinson and then for some reason holding on to win by a large margin (in 2:04.67). I didn’t even know he could run an 800 and felt sure the pack would reel him in.
Sharon Warren (W55, New York City) was up to the task once again, as she handled everyone in the 60, 200, and 400. Sharon is one of my fans, and Randy Frey (see above) now sees himself as one of my fans as well. Always good to have some fans.
Larry Barnum (M60), who could also be called “The Luckiest Man in Reno, Nevada,” was the third finisher in that spectacular 400 in which Roger Pierce won by a nose (literally) over Ron Johnson. Imagine being the luckiest man in a city of 200,000 people.
David Quick (M50), one of the most neglected top performers in our sport, showed me something in the triple jump with 12.74 meters /41’ 9 1/2”). John Oleski (M55) was right, the field event people are the most neglected performers we have. Good to see Ruthlyn Greenfield-Webster (10.73 in the triple, or just over 35’2”) out there, as this was her first nationals, I believe (she’s in W35). She loved the meet, as did the crew at Athena TC and, I hope, many others. They did not want to go home !!!!!
Housekeeping details: We had a temporary lost and found near the finish line; if anyone (such as Rick Easley) lost glasses or anything else I believe they should contact Steve Vaitones directly by e-mail.
Announcing details: I will announce the Southeastern Masters meet at Duke (Durham, NC) in early May and the USATF National Masters Outdoors at the University of Maine (Orono, ME) in early August. Both will be good meets; I hope to see you there.