Gwen Wentland’s Olathe high jump cleared for record acceptance
Six months after jumping an apparent W40 American record at Olathe nationals, Gwen Wentland has received confirmation that her 1.77 (5-9 3/4) mark has been accepted for “pending” status on the USATF website. Gwen writes: “I spoke with [records czar] Sandy [Pashkin] over a week ago and she said that she received my passport (verification of age) through someone, probably Gary [Snyder]. She informed me that was the reason for the hold up on the ratification of my record. She said that she would take care of it and send it through.” Gary also wrote me: “[Gwen] sent me a copy of her passport and her record should be changed to pending – accepted.” But as of Feb. 5, the USATF records page shows no sign of Gwen’s mark. So what does it take? The record should have sailed through at the Indy annual meeting. But it’s still begs the question: Why the oversight? Gwen entered the way we all do — submitting proof of age with her entry fee. Now we may have to wait until this December’s annual meeting in Anaheim for formal ratification. Geeze.
4 Responses
This is great news! Thanks for the update, Ken, and congrats again to you, Gwen!
Of course, I was referring to whether anyone at Olathe told Gwen to send in a second copy of her birth certificate or passport after she got home from the meet? The answer from anything we have seen must be “no.” I am not referring to what has happened in the last couple of months.
If USATF had a copy of her birth certificate that would “seem” to be sufficient – but alas – it is not – always amazing how many hoops must be jumped, how many T’s must be crossed, and i’e dotted for various and sundry officials in order to satisfy the records official. But then – who knows – maybe her birthdate, place of birth, and country of citizenship changed from when she signed up for the meet and set the record. And allegedly if one sets a record at the National Masters Track meet – it will be accepted. Cue the sound of hysterical laughter.
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