Ken Weinbel honored at National Throws Championships
Ken Weinbel was the USATF Masters Track and Field Committee chairman in the late 1990s, and he took a lot of guff (from me) in a day when I wasn’t up to speed on his powers and organizational limits. But Ken was upfront with me at all times. In recent years, he’s been battling various ailments. But he’s still hanging in there, and he must have been mightily heartened by being honored at this month’s masters national throws championships. A trophy was named for him — the perpetual Ken Weinbel Outstanding Ultraweight Pentathlon Athlete Award (presented in absentia to M60 Tim Edwards).
George Mathews (right) congratulates Ken Weinbel on trophy in Ken’s honor.
Besides the photo, I also received this bonus information on the meet, which was a lot better than the original USATF news release suggested. The meet at the Concordia University Throw Center in Portland, Oregon, produced 24 American and two world records, according to Sandy Pashkin.
We also learn:
The score of 5234 points by Harvey Lewellen breaks Gerhard Schepe of Germany world record of 5135. Harvey broke German Arthur Dreher’s world record of 16.87 with a mark of 16.88 in the weight throw.
Being the first time that the Throws Pentathlon, Ultrweight Pentathlon and superweight were held on the same weekend the meet enjoyed a record turnout of 71 participating overall with a record 48 participating in the ultraweight pentathlon and 51 competing in the National Superweight Championship.
Highest point scores awards went to following:
Mens Throws Pentathlon, Bob Ward, M75, 5576 points.
Harvey Lewellen, M80, also went over 5K, 5234 points
Womens Throws Pentathlon, Oneithea Lewis, W45, 4954 points
Mens Ultraweight Pentathlon, Bob Ward, M75, 6043 points
Womens Ultraweight Pentathlon, Oneithea Lewis, W45, 6390 points
The perpetual Lad Pataki Outstanding Throws Pentathlon Athlete Award was presented to Betty Jarvis, W90 (age 94)
RECORDS SET 8/22-23/2009 IN THROWS CHAMPIONSHIPS
Throws Pentathlon
M35 Mark Landa 3881 pts
M80 Harvey Lewellen 5234 pts
W60 Myrle Mensey 4462 pts
Ultraweight Pentathlon
M35 Mark Landa 4274 pts
M40 David Bickel 3840 pts
M50 Bruce Navarre 4364 pts
M55 George Castelli 3754 pts
M60 Todd Taylor 5320 pts
M70 Dick Hotchkiss 4534 pts
M75 Bob Ward 6043 pts
M80 Harvey Lewellen 5592 pts
W35 Trinidad Nelson 1599 pts
W45 Oneithea Lewis 6390 pts
W50 Carol Finsrud 4976 pts
W60 Myrle Mensey 6027 pts
W75 Gloria Krug 4320 pts
Hammer
M80 Harvey Lewellen 41.14m
Weight Throw
M35 Mark Landa 16.58m
M80 Harvey Lewellen 16.88m
Superweight
M35 Mark Landa 11.60m
M40 David Bickel 9.63m
M80 Harvey Lewellen 10.51m
W35
W90 Betty Jarvis 3.65m
4 Responses
Message from Ken’s wife Noelle
Ken Weinbel:
In April Ken moved to a new facility …
European Senior Care
“The Andover House”
4002 45th Ave. SW
Seattle, WA 98116
…where I am able to visit him every day.
Even though Ken is now wheelchair bound, he looks forward to receiving cards and letters through the mail and outings with his caregiver, Prince, twice a week. He enthusiastically transmits his remarkable spirit through his dimples and sparkling blue eyes.
We celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary by renewing our wedding vows in late July. In our Catholic tradition, the sacrament was blessed by our Pastor, and proved to be very meaningful and reaffirming for both of us.
Even though this is not the retirement Ken or I wished, it has given us an incredible opportunity to deepen our faith and demonstrate our appreciation and love for each other. To those of you who have unselfishly remained steadfast companions through this ordeal, we offer our humble thanks. Love comes from unexpected places, not always from the places or the people you most expect, but from the places and people you least expect. Each of you who have extended yourself to “be there” for us is a true blessing.
Ken may be physically down a bit, but he’s certainly not “out.” Visits and small attentions are always welcome, enjoyed and appreciated.
Noelle
Ken’s correct address is 4002 46th SW.
George
Good evening Coach Weinbel.
Coach Weinbel…for you to perhaps remember me, we have to go back over 40 years ago to my days at Colby College. I ran the mile, 2-mile, and cross country for you from 1966-1970. My best friends and running partners were Sebs Mamo, Tom Maynard, Ken Borchers, and Ilan Hadani. Rich Lewis was the team manager. Hope my name might ring a bell with that bit of introduction.
I was sadden by the lost of Tom, Rich, and most recently, Ilan. I know that Tom and Rich lost their battle to cancer, but I still don’t know how or what caused the death of Ilan Hadani.
Ilan was my best friend at Colby. Actually, I couldn’t believe the news that Ilan had passed away. I called Sebs Mamo this morning to see if he knew the cause of Ilan’s death, but Sebs didn’t even know that Ilan had died back in April. I only read about in an earlier issue of Colby Magazine which had been sitting in my California home all summer while I was on a 4-month trip to China. Coach Weinbel…is there any information you could share with me about what caused the passing of my best friend, Ilan?
Well…I’m 63 now…I guess you’re about 84? Where has the time gone? Life really is too short. Talking with Sebs Mamo this morning made it seem like just yesterday we were running up the Colby ski slope together or doing training runs under your tutelage. I hope that our paths cross again before it’s our time to leave. I lived in the Sea-Tac area before moving to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1979. Both are great places to live – and run. Yes…I’m not ashamed to say I still run and love it as much as I did back in 1970. Thanks for for bringing the best out of us and helping to instill a life-long love for the sport
Hoping that our paths cross again, I remain…
Sincerely,
Craig Johnson
2609 Falcon Court
Union City, CA 94587
510-487-7138
Kamloops 2010 World Masters Championships « G. Martin Bingisser - December 17, 2012
[…] Like many in this sport, I am forever in debt to masters athletes. Specifically, I am in debt to Ken Weinbel of the Seattle Masters Track Club. His efforts built the only hammer cage in Seattle and he also […]
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