Joy Upshaw, Kathy Bergen blast own U.S. records in San Diego

World champions Joy Upshaw and Kathy Bergen saved some of their best efforts for last, setting American records in the W50 long hurdles and W70 200, respectively, on a gorgeous Saturday at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego. They ran in the USATF-sanctioned San Diego Senior Games. Both had busy days. (See results here.) Joy did won the 100 (13.03), 200 (26.90), triple jump (10.50/34-­05 1/2) and the 300 hurdles in an AR of 46.17. All marks were legal wind. Kathy won the 100 (season best 14.78) and 200 in an AR of 31.65 (and also threw the discus and javelin). The listed records are Phil Raschker’s 49.20 and Kathy’s own 32.35 from 2010. But Joy has run under 47 seconds four times this season, so finally a mark that counts! But Joy’s best effort was getting this photo of me in the 100!

When you check the results, disregard the 1:23.71 by “Thaddeus Wilson†in Joy’s 300-meter hurdle race. Thad didn’t make it down from Oxnard. That time was mine. Joy needed three in the race to make it record-eligible, so I jumped in. (She reminded me to take my sweats off, and I jogged around the track in my new Mizuno flats. I stepped over the hurdles.)

Also notable at Point Loma were marks by former NFL’er Phil McConkey and masters newcomer Chris Chen, both M50. Phil ran 12.61 and 6.82 for the 50. Chris ran 7.03, 12.74, 26.15 (behind David Hockersmith’s 26.13) and 58.46 (behind M55 Charles Williams’ 57.13). Chris says he used to run corporate track meets (he works at SDG&E). His all-time bests are 11.1 and 22.8.
 

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September 25, 2011

10 Responses

  1. peter taylor - September 25, 2011

    Joy U. and Kathy B. are beyond sensational; I need some new words to describe them. From Albuquerque through this weekend, both have demonstrated their tremendous talent repeatedly.

    In March at Albuquerque, Liz Palmer had to break the world record to beat Joy in the 60 (shows you how good Liz is), and Kathy broke the world mark in her own 60. Both marks were not accepted, but we know that these superstars were flying. And Joy leaped 5.45 meters in the long jump at Albuq. to beat the mark of Phil Raschker by a remarkable 0.45 meters!

    I did not realize that Joy’s 46.17 in the 300 hurdles yesterday was the fourth time she has been under 47 seconds, and I thank you, Ken, for coming up with that information. A check at http://www.usatf.org shows, indeed, that none of the first three is listed as “pending,” but maybe this one will go down in the record books.

  2. Karen Vaughn - September 25, 2011

    Jeff and I had a fabulous time. It was great to see Joy and Kathy break records and compete with new and old friends. Thanks to SD Senior Games, PLNU, and the sponsors for putting on a wonderful meet.

  3. Mike Sullivan - September 26, 2011

    Great times Joy and Kathy —-Hope to see you both in a few weeks at the Club West Meet….Sully

  4. Jeff Davison - September 26, 2011

    It was a very well run meet, and the stadium has a very nice ocean view – great way to spend an afternoon.

  5. Tom Phillips - September 26, 2011

    Ken, that is a wonderful photo of you getting up to speed!

  6. Ken Stone - September 27, 2011

    Using “speed” and “Ken” in the same sentence is the highest possible compliment, Tom! I’m indebted to Joy for capturing the moment. (And my apologies to David Hockersmith. I cropped him out of photo; he was wayyyy ahead of me!)

  7. Terry Parks - September 27, 2011

    Joy has been simply amazing this year. I am awed by her dedication and her amazing fitness. I hope that I can someday run and jump with the same grace and power. Truely inspiring!

  8. Liz Palmer - September 28, 2011

    Congratulations to both ladies!!!

  9. ??? - September 28, 2011

    Congrats to the ladies on surpassing the listed records! Just a question though, are track marks established in mixed competion acceptable for masters record purposes?

  10. Weia Reinboud - September 29, 2011

    Yes, mixed races are allowed for records.

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