Bill Collins notches 3rd Athlete of the Week honors from USATF
Oldie but goodie shows Bill’s form matching Tyson Gay’s.
The USATF release continued:
Still in recovery from Guillain-Barré syndrome and a mainstay in Masters track & field record books, Collins now owns age group, 200m WRs in four age categories and has American Masters 200m records in six age groups.
Other top performances of the week from USATF Masters Indoor Championships included:
W75 Kathy Bergen, who broke a WR and AR in 60m with her 9.49 finish in addition to a WR and AR clearance of 1.25/4-1.25 in high jump.
W55 Joy Upshaw, who broke a 60mH WR and AR of 9.71, also had ARs in
M70 Ty Brown ran 8.11 to take down the World and American 60m record before running 27:03 in the 200m.
Now in its 15th year, USATF’s Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on www.usatf.org. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.
2016 Winners: Jan. 13, Garrett Heath; Jan. 20, Donavan Brazier; Jan. 27, Kendra Harrison; Feb. 3, Jenn Suhr; Feb. 10, Vashti Cunningham; Feb. 17, Galen Rupp; Feb. 24, John Nunn; March 2, Curtis Beach; March 11, Bill Collins.
20 Responses
Bill’s performances continue to amaze, he is without a doubt the greatest masters sprinter of all time, and a great teammate and person to boot, happy to call him my friend.
Amazing! but I’m confused- isn’t he the second 65 year old to break 25?
24.65 -0.7 Charles Allie
Not a sanctioned meet?
I go back a long time with Bill Collins, and he has come up big on so many occasions over the years that I have lost track. I estimate that I have announced Bill over 100 times in my announcing career, and his recent 24.94 has to rank right near the top.
I went to a dinner tonight with about 16 people, only 1 of whom I knew beforehand. One of the attendees, a woman named Patricia who was very knowledgeable about track and field, was absolutely amazed by Bill’s 24.94 at 65, as she was by Irene Obera’s time in the 100 in W80.
No, I don’t need to talk T&F all the time; I just needed to explain my fatigue to a stranger (told her I was still tired from the 3-day Albuquerque meet).
Matt: Charles ran that 24.65 outdoors, correct? The article should have said that Bill broke the 25-second indoor barrier for men 65+. The 200 is one event where the site (indoor vs. outdoor) can make a big difference, as you know.
Incredible and amazing career, ability, athlete and person.
Congrats to the G.O.A.T. It has been a honor, pleasure, and challenge to know and compete against an athlete with his immense talent. He forces me to take my game up to a level that I would not otherwise do. Keep Em’ going Bill. You are “Da Man”.
Peter- true, it was outdoors.
The first 65 year old under 25 seconds outdoors was Paul Edens in 2006. 24.73
He would have turned 75 a few days ago. I guess he isn’t competing anymore? I also see an 11.99 for him at age 65- not ratified apparently
I’m sure Bill will be going after the outdoor WR.
1980 27.18 10% improvement = 24.46
When I saw the replay of Bill running the 200, I was astonished. It was jaw dropping. He was faster than a speeding bullet and more powerful than a locomotive. Not even a serious disease has slowed him down. It appears that only kryptonite could do that.
There are no words to describe Bill. He just keeps bringing it on. His performance motivates me to keep pushing. And a nice guy.
Ken,Thanks to you and all the readers and supporters of the masters track and field for all the kinds words and encouragement. I’ve been truly blessed and I thank God everyday for allowing me to do what I love, and to return to some form during my illness has been wonderful. I’m not sure how many races the body has left, but I hope I can continue for a few more years. Recovery is very difficult, and all the great people that I have met over the years along with the friendships that have developed because of this sports. I look at my close support group my family and my team-mates, who are some of the greatest people you will ever meet. Peter Taylor, you bring our events to life, and a special thanks to you for what you do so well. My wish is to see how masters program grow to the level that will be admired by all. Also a thanks go out to all the officials and volunteers that put in many hours to put on our meets.
Well said Bill…You are absolutely the BEST.And it is amazing how easy you make it look. Love to watch you sprint. Good on ya Bill.
Thank you very much for your kind words, Bill (post no. 10). I had a pretty decent meet but probably should have done a little better. On the recommendation of the meet director I sat in a spot perhaps 8 meters beyond the finish line and above the track.
Unfortunately, I could not read the clock from my position and thus knew the time of a race only if I asked someone. As a result, I missed Derek Pye’s world indoor mark in the 60 hurdles (M45).
I had requested a table in the infield to do my announcing, but that request was turned down. On Friday, during a break in the running action, I went down onto the infield anyway and did the women’s high jump (featuring our three-time Olympian Chaunte Lowe) and a bit of the women’s pole vault.
I did not venture down into the infield on Saturday or Sunday. Unfortunately, I was too far away to determine the identity of the jumpers (other than Gary Hunter, Bruce McBarnette, and a couple of others). In addition, there were no displays showing the height of the pole vault or high jump.
Furthermore, Bill, I was too busy with the track events. Thus, I performed dismally in the jumps.
As far as the throws, I could not seem them at all, and I don’t like announcing things that are not visible to the people I’m addressing (essentially the people in the stands). I did announce records by Ed Burke and Myrle Mensey, but that was it.
Thus, Bill, on a scale of 1 to 100 I would give myself about an 82 for track events, 3 for the jumps, and 1 (at best) for the throws. The answer might be to have three announcers, one for throws, one for jumps, and one for track events, but I don’t think that would happen or would even be feasible.
A better alternative would be for me to be in the infield and announce primarily the track events while giving at least some attention to the jumps and throws, although the latter would be extremely difficult, as neither I nor my audience could see the shot, weight, or super weight.
Mr. Collins is truly in a league by himself. He is also the role model that all masters athletes should try to follow as he handles everything with class, kindness and dignity. I hope he continues to race for many many years.
I second that, Francois. Bill never tells you that he’s better than you are, never calls undue attention to himself, never asks for special favors. He’s had a rough time physically in the last several years, but you would never know it.
Unless we can come up with someone else (and I can’t) we must regard him as “King of all sprinters”.
It was such a privilege to photograph Bill at the finish line of both his World Record-setting sprints. Truly, history was made in Albuquerque.
Amazing sprinter…of course. Bill is always a great coach, teammate and friend! Training with Bill weekly, I am able to observe Bill’s progression all the way to the time he steps up to the starting line of a big race. Believe me, over the years it has always been amazing to see how he overcomes injury. Additionally, Bill has been an inspiration to me as I have been on the road of recovery from three surgeries over the last couple of years. Always encouraging and supportive… well that is the Bill Collins I have known for over 45 years!
Congratulations, Bill, on your selection as athlete of the week. It was well deserved. WOW,two world records in the same meet. You are an inspiration to us all. A complete and total role model.
Bill, I am honored to be your teammate and friend. It makes me so happy to see you back on the track, after the great struggle you have had to overcome the debilitating disease GBS. With you running fast and setting new world records, things now seem back to normal in the world of masters track.
WELCOME BACK!!
It is one thing for an individual to own such amazing physical ability, work ethic and dedication to a sport.
When that talent is combined with a world class respect for others and a unique ability to see a larger picture beyond himself, well that is what makes me respect Bill as I do, and regard him as a walking instructive example for all of us. Carry on big guy. The best may still remain to reveal itself!
Congrats Bill, good to see you doing what you do best on the track.
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