Irene Obera betters W80 high jump AR at Cal all-comers meet

Irene doesn't meed blocks to set W80 records.

Irene doesn’t need blocks to set W80 records.

Irene Obera’s W80 debut last season was awesome, with six (listed) world records in sprints and hurdles. Now the Hall of Famer is adding the high jump. At an all-comers meet Saturday at Cal’s famed Edwards Stadium (site of my ACL tear of 1984 and other historic events), Irene cleared 1.05 meters (3-5 1/4). See results here. That betters the listed American outdoor record of 1.02 (3-4) by Flo Meiler last summer in Winston-Salem. (The listed WR is 1.10 or 3-7 1/4 by Britain’s Rosemary Chrimes.) At Cal, Irene took 23rd out of 23 in a mixed competition. The winner went 1.95 (6-4 3/4). That’s barely a blip in age-graded terms. Irene’s mark is unlikely to be ratified, though, since I don’t see a USATF sanction for this event. But it’s a hopeful sign for another amazing season. Stay focused, Irene!

Irene lands after record jump at Cal's Edwards Stadium. Photo via Facebook.

Irene lands after record jump at Cal’s Edwards Stadium. Photo via Facebook.

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February 21, 2015

7 Responses

  1. Terry Parks - February 21, 2015

    Very nice Irene. I believe that this just your second outing in the high jump, I believe that a multi event World Record can’t be too far off in the future for you.

  2. Alan Kolling - February 22, 2015

    Yes, Irene first tried the high jump last weekend at Los Gatos where she did a respectable 3’2 after getting helpful advice on her steps from John and Sue Rembao. At Berkeley, the officials correctly used metric measurements, and Irene had no real idea what height she was attempting so she didn’t put any pressure on herself. The “non-record” was a nice bonus. With great colleagues like Christel Donley and Flo Meiler, any attempt by Irene at the multi-events will be a tough road indeed, but as we all know Irene loves a challenge.

  3. Nick White - February 22, 2015

    Great mark, doubt it will be ratified. I lost one there 2 years ago due to lack of sanction.

  4. Peter L. Taylor - February 22, 2015

    Congratulations, Irene. It’s interesting to see you branching out after being such a wonderful sprinter over the years.

    I will make a bold prediction, Irene — you will break the American indoor record for W80 in the 800 when you run that event next month in Winston-Salem. I don’t recall ever seeing you compete in that event, and I do know you prefer races shorter than 400.

    Last year, Irene (and everyone else), you ran 1:34.25 indoors at Boston in the 400 at age 80. If you take it easy at Winston-Salem next month and run an opening 400 of 1:48 and then follow that up with a 1:55 you will get the job done in 3:43. With the American record lodged at 4:59.60 you should get the new mark very easily indeed.

    I wonder whether any of the frequenters of this blog see any other records that are going to be destroyed in Winston-Salem.

  5. Alan Kolling - February 22, 2015

    Peter, great prognostications for the 800m. I am guessing that Irene will be happy to run 4:59.50 indoors, and to sweep the 60-200-400-800 events along the way. She did a 4:39 in early November at the outdoor Encore (Senior) Games, and a 4:33 a few weeks ago in training. But the world records (indoors and out-) are clearly not within reach unless the indefatigable Jeanne Daprano pulls her along . . . . literally.

  6. Rob Jerome - February 22, 2015

    Peter…as far as other records that might be set in Winston-Salem, Flo Meiler in the W80 Pole Vault might be someone to watch. Interesting that some of the oldest competitors in the sport are really burning things up.

  7. Ben Ami - February 23, 2015

    i dont know were to write this:
    Dusan PREZELJ WR at M65 1.68m HJ at Balkan Veterans Indoor Championship
    http://istanbulindoor2015.com/index.html

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