Lofton is back; Leland McPhie sets two M95 world records
In his comeback from knee surgery, NFL Hall of Famer James Lofton ran his first good 400 meters in a while Saturday at the USATF Southern California Association Masters Championships — 55.42 at age 52. Complete results are here. In other highlights, Leland McPhie of San Diego high-jumped 0.91 (2-11 3/4) and triple-jumped 3.94 (12-1 1/4) to set the first world and American records in that age group in those events. None are currently listed. (Leland already holds M95 indoor records in those events.) He also becomes the oldest jumper on record apparently.
Leland wowed officials at Spokane nationals last year, when he was only 94.
The turnout at Soka University in south Orange County was slim, mainly because many 50-plusers opted for the friendly confines of Caltech and the California Senior Games.
If not for the turnout of SoCal Track Club athletes — loyal to coach and meet director Mark Cleary — the SCA meet Saturday would have been a huge bust.
Meet organizers of the Caltech meet the same day were angry with Mark for scheduling his meet the same day as the traditional Senior Olympic date — and have let Mark know they won’t accept a competing SoCal masters meet on the same day next year.
Cleary wrote me: “Tom Patsalis of SoCal Track Club age 87 broke the American record in the triple jump with a mark of 6.63 (21-9).It was only a single-ge American record — Ed Lukens has the 5-year mark of 7.78 (25′ 6 1/4″).”
More on James Lofton:
In mid-April, James wrote me: “Had surgery on both knees Jan 2. On the mend; hope to get in a meet sometime in June.”
Although James lost his coaching job with the Oakland Raiders after head coaches were changed, he remains with the team in a player personnel role. He’s entered in the USATF West Region Masters Championships at the end of this month at Soka University.
11 Responses
What a shame that the USATF SoCal meet was scheduled for the same date as the Senior Games. I hope that mistake is not repeated. Having the opportunity to compete in both meets is certainly more in the best interest of master athletes than is having to choose which one to attend. BTW- the Senior Games organizers were not the only ones angry about the poor scheduling. I heard a lot of complaints from fellow master/senior athletes…
Mark Cleary informs me that paperwork wasn’t filled out for Leland’s world records — because Leland had not informed anyone that he had set a record.
Don’t get me started.
I have august 12 as Leland’s birthday, but that must be wrong as he is 95 already. Can you find out? And what is the location of the meet?
At the 2007 National Senior Games, Robert Stewart high-jumped 0.81 (2-7 3/4) in the M95 age group — a mark that never made its way into the WMA or USATF record books. Typical.
So who knows whether Leland’s 0.91 is really a record?
Geezers don’t count, I guess.
Results from 2007 NSG:
http://www.nsga.com/secure/Documents/results%20book%20updated%20-%20results%20only.pdf
Also: Everett Hosack jumped 0.76 (2-6) at age 96, according to Pete Mundle’s Masters Age Records:
http://nationalmastersnews.com/ageRecTrack.htm
Leland turned 95 in March according to our records.
Soka University is in Aliso Viejo, California:
http://www.soka.edu/page.cfm?p=192
Which is important to note since it’s only about 45 miles from the site of the Pasadena location of the Senior Games held the same weekend. NOT COOL of Mark to schedule the SoCal meet for the same weekend, long after the Senior Games dates had been announced, especially given the close proximity of the two venues!!!!!!
Not just the same weekend; the same day at the same time.
OK Aliso Viejo. And born in march, but which day?
By the way, yesterday I have updated my high jump statistics and gave it a new web address: http://home.xmsnet.nl/weiatletiek/
But I have to update it again when I know Lelands birthday. And because yesterday there was the oldest 2.28 in history: Dragutin Topic in Thessaloniki.
Leland’s birthdate is march 10 1914. I’ll update my site tomorrow.
Leland’s birthday is March 10 1914 is correct.He live in Linda Vista ,Ca.
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