Peter Taylor: ‘How I Spent the Last Weekend in March’
With the help of around 10 donors, who chipped in $25 to $50 to raise the requested $500, Peter Taylor was brought to Boston again to announce the USATF Masters Indoor National Championships, reports Steve Nearman, who organized the fund drive at the behest of Boston meet organizers. And Peter delivered. He also delivers the latest in his first-person reports on the meet.
Peter writes:
On Friday, March 28, I got up at 4:02 a.m. and ate a light breakfast. Another nationals, and everything I had done at previous championships meant nothing. I am older now, and I don’t have the intellectual sharpness I used to enjoy.
Would I be a flop? I doubted it, but the proof would be coming shortly. As things turned out, I had a self-weighted grade of 89 (93 for Friday, 94 for Saturday, only 75 for Sunday; the grade is weighted by multiplying the Saturday score by 2).
After flying from Washington Dulles to Boston Logan, I took a van to the host hotel. It was still before noon, and there I met Lesley Chaplin-Swann and son Colin in the lobby. Neither Lesley nor I had been given a room (there must have been others waiting as well), and I began to make plans for coping with the situation. I was also starving.
Soon, however, I was awarded Room 709, and in the afternoon I went to “The Reggie.” Robert Hahn, the gentlemanly Texan, bought me something at the Dunkin’ Donuts in the arena, and I was ready. Thank you, Robert.
I announced pretty well on Friday, and the highlight for me was Doug Goodhue’s record-setting 10:29.75 in the M65 3000. I was ready for it, and as the saying goes “I had him all the way.” When I was sure he would break the record, I broke the news to the crowd, and they responded very nicely.
On Saturday we had an excellent crowd, and they made some noise. I believe this was one of the best days we have had at the masters indoors (I have announced all but one of the last 13), as people seemed to enjoy what was going on and said something about it. In the mile I particularly liked Frank Condon’s performance. Grandson Giovanni was in the audience (he’s 11), and I mentioned him in my introductions. Frank was pumped, and he really poured it on, especially in the second half. Both Frank and Giovanni were thrilled with Frank’s world record (M65) of 5:11.43.
In the 400, I was greatly inspired by Phil Raschker’s world record performance in the W60 race. Phil reached back for everything she had and blazed to the finish in 68.34. Actually, she blazed the first 350 meters or so, then had to gut the last 50. She fell at the finish and lay there for quite awhile (perhaps two or three minutes). Eventually she got up, and she returned to do the 60 hurdles (and win).
In the men’s 60 hurdles we had three impersonators. Three athletes who appeared to be top-level college hurdlers (Rod Jett, Dexter McCloud, and David Ashford) put on a stunning display (times of 8.21, 8.52, and 8.61, respectively). I am told they are actually in M40 (Jett) and M45 (McCloud and Ashford), but that is ridiculous, as men in their 40s can’t attack the hurdles like that. To put things in perspective, Rod Jett’s 8.21 is the same pace as a 13.68 100 dash, and he did this over a set of 39-inch hurdles from a dead (motionless) start. Impossible, but I swear I saw it happen.
On Saturday evening I stayed late to announce the 20-pound weight throw, and I got to see a different side of things. Historically I have slighted the throwers, in part because I can’t see what they are doing (and don’t know how far they are throwing). A nice group. I did the M50 only, which was won by Ken Jansson with 20.56 meters.
On Sunday I enjoyed the torrid battle in the W40 800 between Bernadine Pritchett (believe she is from London, England) and Kim Sheffield (Sarasota, Florida). Bernadine got there in 2:20.78; Kim ran 2:21.24. In the 200, Bill Collins (age 57) ran 23.63, but as in the hurdles, I don’t think that is possible. Mid-level collegians probably run high 21s through 22s, and thus for a 57-year-old to run 23 and change is theoretically beyond human limits. And yet I saw him do it, and that is what the USATF Web site says. Must have happened, but I still don’t believe it. No one could run that fast. Or maybe if your name is Bill Collins you can.
In the M40 200, we had an unusual circumstance. Eric Merriweather (I think he was in lane 6), appeared to hang on for the victory over the aptly named Johnny Speed. I told the crowd that I thought Merriweather had won it, and indeed he did. Yes, he ran 24.064, while Speed ran 24.065 (both given 24.07). To say it another way, he won by 1/1000 (not 1/100) of a second. Guess my eyesight is still pretty good.
John Hinton took a very good field in the M45 800 to school, as he went out fast but forgot to come back, winning in a scorching 1:58.73. I will remember John’s performance.
13 Responses
As always, a terrific job Peter! I am amazed by your memory. Great job and thank you very much.
Peter,
You’ve always had nothing but kind words for me from day 1 that I entered Masters Competition. I must confess, I STILL get a thrill when we start a race and I hear you announce all the competitors.
You are the face I see when I think of Masters Track & Field.
Thanks for all you do
The masters meets are lucky to have Peter deliver his real time calls that mix accurate facts with unfolding drama including world record pace, which he consistently is immediately right on top of. People pause, watch and cheer when Peter informs us something special is in progress. His distinctive voice really brings energy and life to the races.
Also, he was very gracious to me personally at this meet and at the Hartshorne mile.
He’s one of a kind for sure!
Peter, I would like to add my resounding DITTO to the above comments. You are the face and voice of Masters Track and you elevate us all. You are a class act, my friend.
It just wouldn’t be the same without you announcing. Another brilliant
performance.
Thank you Peter Taylor!
My stepdaughter’s comment when she first heard Peter Taylor’s voice: “Oh good! It’s the same announcer; he makes it so much fun!”
one of the competitors in the above-mentioned M50 Weight Throw (actually weighs 25 lbs, Peter!)
was Ray Bzibziak….I have been to many competitions, and the throws officials checking us in for the event usually mispronounce or hesitate or are unsure of the correct pronunciation- Peter Taylor did it flawlessly!
Thank you for staying late; we were the last event of the entire Saturday program, relocated to the infield to accommodate long throws, and it was great to be announced and recognized!
and how about that gentleman in the short sprint who stopped just prior to the actual finish line (didn’t realize the real finish) and Peter Taylor talked him over the line!! Priceless!
I had the honor of assisting Peter during the Nationals. Initially I thought that that almost anyone could do the announcing – just read off the names on each heat sheet. How wrong I was!
He’s “on” for three straight days. To those listening to his flawless running commentary, they would never know the preparation before each heat. Pete pours over each heat sheet to see if he needs to refer to his notes regarding the AR or WR and to jot down splits so he can tell if a competitor is on record pace. Without needing to refer to his notes he knows the HS and college of every top contender, the records they set, their finishes in past indoor and outdoor national and world championships, hometowns, nicknames, proper pronunciation of names, even difficult ones. He’s a living, masters track and field encyclopedia.
He takes his announcing as seriously as any top athlete takes their event. He comes with a briefcase containing mouthwash, a stopwatch, a calculator (for converting metric to imperial) his notebook and assorted other tools of his trade. He checks the clock constantly to help keep the meet running on time. If there is a delay, he wants to know why and what’s going on. At any time, even if there is a heat underway, he is constantly bombarded with requests from officials to announce clerking deadlines, from meet organizers to announce shuttle bus schedules, from competitors to announce results or records. And through it all he never misses a beat.
Pete is hardest on himself if he fails to announce any AR or WR at the moment it was broken. In many heats and finals there are multiple age groups competing simultaneously and Pete is trying to assess the possibility of which records might be broken. I would guess that he caught 98% of them but when he missed just one, he was genuinely upset with himself for the miss. But like a great wide receiver who missed a pass, he has to put it out of his head and get back out there – and he does.
Pete perhaps takes his responsibility just a bit too seriously. The pressure he puts on himself to perform flawlessly caused an upset stomach for all three days, and he didn’t sleep well. He’s working from before the first event of the day until after the last. He doesn’t step away from the mike for lunch, instead catching a bite to eat or drink in the very brief pauses between events. Even when there’s a lull on the track, Pete is looking over his shoulder at the jumps runways to see if he can add a bit of commentary to that action. When your event is over, Pete is still hard at work.
It should be noted that at the Athletes Meeting on Saturday night, when many of the finest masters athletes received pins and recognition for outstanding performances, one special administrator of the year award was given to Pete Taylor for his outstanding contribution to our sport. Peter Taylor IS the voice of Masters track & field. Great job Pete!
Pete sure deserves that recogition. When it comes to pronunciation of names, he even pronounces my Japanese name and Japanese college name (Fukuoka University, respectively) correctly. Last year he was so upset when he somehow found out that he had been pronouncing my name incorrectly. It was just a little accent that was off and nobody pronounces my name correctly, but he was so sorry and tried to make it right. That was sooooo sweet of him. I think that’s why we all love him dearly. Every time I go to the meet I look for that light pink shirt and a microphone even before I look for a ladies’ room or a packet pick-up. When I hear his voice I know I’m at the Nationals and I get all psyched. We’re so lucky to have someone like Pete and we all appreciate his talent and devotion. We should never take that for granted. Thanks so much, Pete. Hope your stomach feels better.
Mr Taylor,
Passion and Excellence -What we all strive for, Thanks Mr Taylor, Sully
i wasn’t able to make it to Boston, but i gotta tell you, just READING Peter Taylor’s words, made me feel as if i was there.He’s a national treasure…i’m looking forward to the next time i hear him announce…albert
I agree with the comments above. Pete Taylor does an outstanding job of calling the meet. He understands the nuances of each of the competitions and the individual matches within. When we (Colonial Road Runners from Williamsburg, VA) were on track for the American Club record in the M50 4 X 800m relay, he gave a thrilling play by play that got the crowd cheering and kept me pushing the pace! He knew what the record was and knew we were on pace to get it. Thanks again Pete.
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