Discus throwers targeting M50, M60 American records Saturday

Ralph’s form in 2007, when he won world gold.

Two discus throwers are aiming for American records Saturday at the Wine Country Games in Santa Rosa, California, according to a Petaluma paper. Cameron Bolles is going for the M50 AR of 62.74 (205-10) by a gent named Al Oerter in 1989, and Ralph Fruguglietti is shooting for the M60 AR of 59.52 (195-3) by Joe Keshmiri in 1998. The WRs are 68.40 (224-5) by M50 Klaus Weiffenbach and 66.36 (217-8) by M60 Klaus Liedtke. Ten years ago, Ralph won at Riccione worlds and came back with a golden yarn that I first reported as a “ghost story.â€

In any case, here’s what the paper said of the pair.

Two nationally known athletes will be competing in the track and field’s discus throw: Cameron Bolles, 53, of Santa Rosa, and Ralph Fruguglietti, 62, of Bakersfield.

Bolles, 53, is a two-time champion in the discus throw in U.S.A. Track and Field’s 45 to 49 and 50 to 54 age divisions. At the Sonoma Wine Country Games, he hopes to break a record set by four-time Olympic gold medalist Al Oerter of 62.74 meters for the USATF 50 to 54 age group.

Fruguglietti is a six-time world champion while competing in the 50 to 54, 55 to 59 and 60 to 64 age categories (five times at the World Championships in Athletics and once at the World Masters Games). He was named the Masters Throwing Athlete of the Year for 2016 by National Masters News magazine. He will be gunning for four-time Olympian Joe Keshmiri’s American record of 59.52 meters for the USATF’s 60 to 64 age group at the Sonoma Wine Country Games.

The Games’ track and field events are scheduled for Saturday at Santa Rosa High School. The discus competition is expected to begin around 1:30 or 2 p.m.

For more information about the Games, go to winecountrygames.com.

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June 6, 2017

2 Responses

  1. Tim Muller - June 8, 2017

    Good luck. I’d love to watch the records fall. I’ve seen Ralph go over 60 meters so he can do it!
    THROW FAR!!

  2. Brad Reid - June 13, 2017

    I was there that day in Orono, Maine when Joe Keshmiri threw his 59.52 meter toss. He may have thrown farther warming up as I recall. Lad Pataki was another powerful thrower from that period. Both are gone now. Time for a new record. Ralph Fruguglietti is the best candidate to make it happen in the 60 to 64 age group. Brad Reid

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