The essence of masters track epitomized by indoor hep nationals
Andrew Boyce
From left: Christel Donley, Phil Raschker and Rita Hanscom in Wisconsin.
But let me remind you about Andrew and Rita:
In 2009, I featured Andrew for his YouTube video vaulting onto his roof. But in January 2010, Andrew had a terrible accident, nearly fatal. He wrote me later that year:
It has been a very difficult road.. After finding out in January that the hospital missed that my neck was broke and I had 3 bulging discs, my dream of Indoor Nationals was gone! … I went from being 185 pounds up to 225 pounds. I have lost 20 of it and at the weight of 205 pounds, I pole vaulted 13 feet yesterday and high jumped 5’8″… I hope to be 185 for Nationals again! so, I signed up and will be ready to hopefully finish out a fantastic recovery in 7 months.
A week ago, Andrew wrote:
If you remember last year you did the story on me after my near fatal accident… you can run any parts of that story you would like now if you wish… to top that off, Jeff Watry finally convinced me to do the Heptathalon. I competed in my first Heptathalon at the National Indoor meet this weekend. I won with a score of 4800 points and improved my ranking in multiple events. Actually had a very good two days and jumped over 20 feet for first time since accident in long jump and over 4 meters in pole vault, etc etc… now ranked in I think five events. It was very fun as my children got to watch me soar, today I am the other sore!!! I would say I am fully recovered with some occasional equilibrium issues…. makes pole vaulting a little interesting.
So what about Rita? At Sacramento worlds, she did a number on her plantar fascia, and watched the meet from crutches. (She had the injury going into worlds and just went for it at Sac State.)
But when Rita wrote me a week ago, she chose to focus more on Phil than herself:
Just returned last night from snowy Wisconsin for a beautifully run indoor heptathlon. [Meet director] Jeff Watry is an amazing man, able to juggle his events, run a meet, and deal with all requests with calm, efficiency and finesse. Phil’s marks most certainly are an American record since there isn’t one for her new 65 age group. My marks in 6 events are better than Kay’s 2008 marks in every event but the pole vault. Kay is still Queen of the Pole Vault. Her American record point total is 5258. [Update] I thought my point total was 5,705 but after it was refigured, it was 5,928.
Phil has had a history of injuries as well. So congrats on her latest record! I don’t know much about Jefferson Souza (except he was M35 world champ in decathlon last year), but I’ll bet he has a Timex story of his own.
Keep on ticking, superstars.
10 Responses
Rita is correct, Jeff Watry is an amazing guy. He is the one who pushed me to try the Heptathlon. He is very inspirational in his ventures… working the meets that he also competes in. Thanks for all you do for the sport Jeff… You too Ken!
Andrew
Way to go Phil….Breaking your own record…Priceless.
It was great see everyone — new surface is great — staff at Carthage make it a pleasure — I have started (posted ages I have completed first cut)a top ten for the Hept (US only) for each age group.
You will noticed that in some case the listed American record may only be the 3rd or 4th best mark. All these marks are from the National Meet — Just for whatever reason the earlier years are not recognized.
Well done, Rita and Phil — impressive as always! Don Ritchie set a Canadian record with his M50 win. Well done, Don!
Rita and Phil, your results bode well for Indoor Worlds in Finland. See you next month!
congratulations to all…!!!
Fantastic results — congratulations!
Andrew ,your performance speaks volumes comeback story thats is one that us masters folk can all say,all things are possible and through track and feild ,you can regain what was lost for a short time and really become healthy and compete,and set american records,,,,,,i was pulling for you all the way,i wish i could have given it another whirl i landed real hard training the pole vault,so im out,so i will stick to hurdles for outdoor us championships here in illinois,good luck ,, i followed your journey and i really happy for you congradulations, Andrew big time boyce,,,,,
Dave,
Thanks Dave, was really looking forward to competing with in the Heptathlon… It has been a long hard two years since my near death experience and head trauma. You, Antonio Palacios, myself and one other fast track athlete from the Chicagoland area should put on a 4 X 1 relay team to show our skills this Outdoor National meet in Lisle Illinois? Let me know if your interested!!
Andrew i think that would be a honor all in
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