Health update, and more Orono, from Peter Taylor
Masters meet announcer Peter Taylor reports: “As of 7 p.m. on Thursday evening (August 9) I am feeling reasonably healthy, but I am still having strange feelings on my left side. Should know a lot more in 24 hours.” And in part 2 of his Orono nationals narrative, he writes: “My grade: In my first message I mentioned my desire to do well at Orono. How did I do? I was spectacular at times and not so good at others; I would say my grade was 82. I am planning on announcing at Boston in 2008.”
Peter continues:
As for Spokane (2008 outdoor nationals), I do not know. They would have to want me, and the conditions would have to be appropriate (housing, some place reasonably close to eat breakfast, protection for the announcer against excessive heat, etc.). I have not been contacted by meet management in Spokane.
Clarification: When I say someone does not have a beautiful style I don’t mean they have an unattractive style; I simply mean that in my humble opinion absolute beauty has not been reached. Even very attractive styles (e.g., those of Karla Del Grande and Jai Black) I will not call beautiful; I reserve that term for the very few. Now go to the “Winners” classification just below.
4. The Winners: I believe that Rita Hanscom (W50 sprinter and jumper) has the most beautiful style of any of our women – her style is absolutely gorgeous. She is like silk, unbelievably smooth, all the while incorporating great power. Another woman I must mention is Alisa Harvey (W40 middle distances and our masters award winner for 2007); Alisa is truly a big-time runner and glides around the track in just that way. She is essentially perfect. Among the men the winner is Saladin “Sal” Allah, even though I would probably use the term “amazing” in preference to “beautiful.” In the 800 trials (M45) Sal simply “jogged” around the track for two laps. I swear he took the fewest strides, at no time appeared to be giving even the slightest effort, etc. He is an illusionist, just like the big-time runners. His time for his “jog”? 2:05.72. He transforms power into speed like no one else.
5. More than one sport: Interestingly, some of our smoothest performers have spent a lot of a time in another sport. Sal Allah was a body builder, as was Catherine Stone-Borkowski, former US “natural” body-building champ. Catherine has great form in the 400, 800, and 1500. Mary Grene (W45 middle distances) comes from biking, and she has wonderful form. BJ Freeman (W45) was apparently a gymnast (BJ is from Canada), which seems to have aided her in track and field. Kay Glynn (W50 both track and field) seems to have a great background in gymnastics or something similar. Perhaps being in more than one sport, or more precisely having a background in another sport, is very helpful. I was glad to talk to Kay about her various TV appearances (Dave Letterman, Oprah among them) and to have my photo shot with her (or rather I got into a photo with just two people – Kay Glynn and yours truly).
Speaking of one sport, my hat is off to those who come a long way, or even not such a long way, to compete in a single event. I am thinking of Tom Fahey (California, discus), Trish Porter (New Mexico, high jump), Bruce McBarnette (Virginia, high jump) and others. They are aficionados in the best sense of the term (they combine the intellectual and physical approaches extremely well).
7. Back to style: Karl “The Quick” Smith (1984 Olympian for Jamaica) has the best form of any of our hurdlers, but he did not follow up his visit to Charlotte with a trip to Maine. In his absence I give this year’s award to Don Drummond (M35) of Texas, who looked truly collegiate in the 110 hurdles.
10 Responses
Peter, you are by far the BEST I have heard in person or even on TV, thank you, you truly make the meet, it would not be the same without you.
Work kept me from Orono, but Peter’s reports here make me feel like I was there. His work over the years, under very tough conditions, especially this year and Charlotte last summer, and in the face of his own physical struggles, make him a Master Hall of Famer and in many ways our most irreplaceable asset. I was abe to watch most of the meet on the webcast, and Peter’s announcing brought the whole meet to life. In my event (800, M60) I was able to fully appreciate the great races of my friends as the race unfolded. So thanks again, Peter, for another great year, indoors and out!
Your writing is like your race announcing – It makes you want more. I’m just sorry that I am unfamiliar with many of the runners you described. I wish I could see short clips of them after reading your descriptions.
Most importantly, I would like to wish you a good prognosis with what ever your current health problem turns out to be.
Peter,
Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate your efforts and hope you recover quickly. There would be no national championships (or any other meet) without the hard work of people who volunteer their time. You have a passion for the sport and deserve our thanks and admiration. Get well soon!
Peter:
Best wishes on a speedy recovery. Your presence in masters track brings a feel of professionalism to all of us. There isn’t a racer out there who cannot say hearing you call our name during a race doesn’t send chills up the spine. See you at Indoor Nationals!
Unfortunately, I had to miss the meet but like others at home I thoroughly enjoyed watching the meet on the web and listening to Peter announce was like being there in person.
It would be great to see the webcast a permanent fixture of our national events.
Glad to hear that you plan to announce in Boston Peter. Take care my friend.
Peter, I hate that I had to miss this Meet it seemed like it was a good one. Hope you are recovering, you are in our prayers for a speedy recovery. You know, what you do you do so well. Not many of us know the athletes and their background the way you do and we talk to them more often than you. I watched the archived video of the Meet and everyone looked great and you did a great job at announcing.
Peter, it was a joy and honor to meet you. Your voice is right up there with my good friend from Baylor, Mr. Frank Fallon. I look forward to hearing you again next season somewhere. This time I’ll bring my ‘A’ game as you do each and every day.
Peter–
Best wishes for good news for you on the health report. You are truly a masterful announcer and I agree with Steve Nearman, one can’t help but feel the rush of excitement when hearing you call their name both before and during a race. My M50 middle distance group which is so deep with talent all heard you acknowledge the competitiveness of our races. (I am going to have to stop tripling in the Nationals and focus on just one -maybe two.) You get the award for the endurance athlete of the meet. To stay at the edge as you do for 4 successive days is incredible. Thanks for being there. And to the Masters leadership -count me in to assist with any contributions to make sure that “our” meet announcer can get to these meets.
Best wishes to you Pete and a speedy recovery. You are the voice of masters track. In all the years of my competing the best Ive heard. You are professional, do your homework and a pleasure to talk with. I would feel a big void without you announcing our meets. Take care my friend.
Leave a Reply