W40 runner Latashia Key of Indiana quietly showed up at the USATF Anaheim meeting but went BOOM! with a short but passionate speech on why she should be chosen active-athletes rep on the USATF Masters T&F Executive Committee. Blew us away — us being the couple dozen otherwise unattached delegates eligible to vote. W65 Mary Trotto had been active-athletes rep (having succeeded now-W75 Becky Sisley). But even Mary would concede Latashia had star power. After the convention, I queried LK. She graciously replied. My takeaways: She wants to bring masters into the 21st century via social media. And: “Create a Welcome Package email/blast for First Timers who are planning to compete at a Masters National Championships & WMA championships and those new to International travel.” Please join me in welcoming the lovely and talented Latashia Key — and giving her feedback.

Masterstrack.com: Tell me about your track career, all-time PRs, recent bests.

Latashia Key: My running career started when I was in fifth grade on a XC course and to this day I still love XC! I think the day my track career began was when I ran at the county meet a year later as a sixth-grader in the 800. I got third and loved the feeling it gave me so hence my passion of running and competing truly began.

I am a distance runner and compete in the 3000, 5000, but enjoy the 1500 and 800 and of course XC. I received an athletic scholarship from Morgan State University (B.S. in Physical Education-Sports Administration emphasis) and my master’s degree from Indiana University (Kinesiology-Administration emphasis).

After college, I ran a few road races until I learned about masters track and field in 2001 from one of my best friends. I wasn’t able to compete due to my travel schedule of my previous job until 2009. I ran my first WMA event in Kamploops in 2010 and I continue to compete at national and international competition when my schedule allows.

How did you get involved in Indiana USATF? How did you become president? Why this role?

I began my involvement with USATF IN in 2005 when I attended my first USATF Annual Meeting in Jacksonville. I decided to get involved with the Indiana association in 2006 as the Open Women’s chair and over the next nine years learned how to host a meet, worked as an official (became certified in 1997 when IU hosted the NCAA Outdoor Championship) and held a number of other positions within the association.

I felt in order to make changes in the sport, I needed to understand the “behind the scenes” of the organization, and I wanted to give back to the sport that has given me so much joy and so far has afforded me a lot of opportunities in my life.

As president of the Indiana Association, I have been able to implement policies and procedure, help improve our infrastructure, built strong and solid relationships with colleagues, other leaders, partners and sponsors. As a team-oriented individual, I am able to work collaboratively with others and I have learned how to incorporate the ideas and opinions of others in order to work toward a compromise.

Also, I am currently a meet director and I understand the needs and desires athletes have when attending a championship event.

What drew you to the active-athletes rep position?  

After competing in several national and international meets, I wanted to help athletes have fun and get to know other athletes in other event areas and improve communication prior, during and after our competitions, to name a few.

Can you replicate your 2-minute talk at Anaheim, which got you elected?

I’ll try. I wanted to let the athletes who were present during the masters session in Anaheim what qualifications I possess and my ideas to help athletes stay informed and feel welcomed to the world of masters track and field. Most importantly, bring some fun and unity to masters track and field.

What are your goals as active-athletes rep?

• Communication to all Masters Athletes through an eblast, website and use social media (still researching)

• Create a “Welcome Package” email/blast for First Timers who are planning to compete at a Masters National Championships & WMA championships and those new to International travel. I believe this is needed so others can understand what is expected and try and answer questions they might have and meet other USA athletes. (A work in progress and details are not yet defined.)

• A dedicated email will be used by the active-athlete rep for any USA Masters Athlete to express their concerns, suggestions and ideas. (Email: mastersactiveathlete@gmail.com)

• Create a survey for masters to comment on what can be improved upon at the national, regional and international championships.

Are you interested in higher office in USATF — masters national chair or better?

Not at this time as I have other personal goals and endeavors that I want to pursue in my life.

What are your competition plans this season?  Your goals by event?

I am still in the process of getting back in shape and my competition plans are to compete at indoor and outdoor nationals and in Lyon. I haven’t decided which events I will compete in for 2015 at this time.

Tell me about your family — spouse, kids, cats, dogs?
 
Both of my parents live in Maryland and I have three siblings, no animals and currently single.

How would you grow masters track, especially the younger age groups?

These are my thoughts and some of them might work or might not work — but it would be worth a try and it will be a slow process that will take more than one person’s efforts to increase participation in the younger age groups.

I think if we are able to plant the seed when the athletes are in college, it might help persuade them to stay or come back to the sport once their careers and/or families have been established. A detailed plan has not been created yet as these are just ideas.

• I believe in order to attract younger masters athletes, if they can see and read about those who are making a difference in the sport who are in their age category it might encourage them to stay and recruit others to the sport. Media outlets such as Facebook (FB), Twitter and their local association website for example.

• Contact association presidents and their communications/PR chair or the person who sends out emails to their members to encourage masters athletes to participate at their association meets.

• Each One, Bring One Promo — Recruit an athlete to compete in either the association, regional or national meet with the goal of increasing participation in masters meets.

• Younger age groups many times do not realize or know they can compete after college in track & field.

If we are able to let college athletes know that they can still compete in their 30s and beyond, we might be able to recruit and retain future masters athletes. One idea is to get college athletes (freshman-seniors) at D1, D2, D3 and NAIA schools to become USATF members and send them an “info card” about life after competing in college and join masters track once they turn 30.

Also, host 1-2 exhibition races in conjunction with a youth meet and/or invite them to a masters association and/or regional meet.