Karl Smith stuns Ashford in Modesto masters 110 hurdles

Karl Smith, who once held the M40 world record in the 110 hurdles, handed a rare defeat to the man who succeeded him as record holder yesterday at Modesto Junior College in Northern California. Karl, 48, clocked an amazing 14.61 to edge 45-year-old David Ashford’s 14.75 at the California Invitational Relays. Karl is likely the oldest hurdler to go sub-15 over 39-inch barriers (Pete Mundle’s single-age record book lists 15.4 age-48 bests by Jack Greenwood and Walt Butler. (Karl’s M45 WR remains 14.41 from 2006.) And Aaron Thigpen, 43, ran another sub-11 100l, beating Olympic finalist Jeff Williams 10.96 to 11.31. (And in the open 200, Aaron had a legal 22.47.)


As noted in the comments on the previous blog entry, they were entered in the meet despite being absent from some bad heat sheets I saw. Thank goodness. Great races resulted.
In other masters action, former WR holder Stacy Dragila showed she still has game at 37, Dragila, clearing a season best 4.40 (14-5 1/4) — about 4 inches shy of her W35 world record. Stacy has had surgery on both Achilles’ tendons in the past two years. She also jumped from a short approach, reports say. And M40 Jeff Hartwig jumped 5.50 (18-0 1/2), just short of his WR 5.51 of recent vintage.
In the throws, M35 John Godina took second in the discus with 208-0, and M35 Kevin McMahon had a big winning hammer throw of 246-4. John and Kevin both turn 36 later this month.
Here are the masters results:

Event 37 Men 110 Meter Hurdles Tom Moore Open/Invitational
=====================================================================
Name Year Team Finals Wind
=====================================================================
Finals
1 Karl Smith Unattached 14.61 1.7
2 David Ashford midtown athletic 14.75 1.7
3 Richard Holmes Unattached 14.91 1.7
4 Henry Andrade Unattached 14.92 1.7
5 Peter Grimes Unattached 15.23 1.7
6 Brian Conley Unattached 16.36 1.7
7 Kerry Sloan Chicago Zephyrs TC 17.66 1.7
— Michael Burke Delaware Diamonds DNF 1.7
Official hurdles results are posted here.
Event 38 Men 100 Meter Dash Open/Invitational
================================================================
Name Year Team Finals
================================================================
Section 1 Wind: 1.2
1 Aaron Thigpen Athenian Athletics 10.96
2 Jeff Williams Unattached 11.31
3 Marty Krulee Unattached 11.60
4 Peter Grimes Unattached 11.80
5 David Ashford Unattached 11.89
6 Steve Neubauer Unattached 12.20
7 Kerry Sloan Chicago Zephyrs TC 12.44
Section 2 Wind: 1.1
1 Ray Yeck Unattached 12.88
2 Michael Manney Unattached 13.88
3 Mel Brooks Unattached 15.74
=====================================================================
Name Year Team Finals Wind
=====================================================================
Finals
1 Aaron Thigpen Athenian Athletics 10.96 1.2
2 Jeff Williams Unattached 11.31 1.2
3 Marty Krulee Unattached 11.60 1.2
4 Peter Grimes Unattached 11.80 1.2
5 David Ashford Unattached 11.89 1.2
6 Steve Neubauer Unattached 12.20 1.2
7 Kerry Sloan Chicago Zephyrs TC 12.44 1.2
8 Ray Yeck Unattached 12.88 1.1
9 Michael Manney Unattached 13.88 1.1
10 Mel Brooks Unattached 15.74 1.1
Results of the masters 100 are posted here.
Event 14 Men Pole Vault 18-00 Invitational
==========================================================================
Name Year Team Finals
==========================================================================
Finals
1 Giovanni Lanaro Elite Athletes N 5.80m 19-00.25 1-1
5.20 5.30 5.40 5.50 5.60 5.70 5.80 5.90
P P O P XO P O XXX
2 Jeff Hartwig Unattached 5.50m 18-00.50 1-0
5.20 5.30 5.40 5.50 5.60
P P O O XXX
3 Derek Miles Nike J5.50m 18-00.50 2-1
5.20 5.30 5.40 5.50 5.60
P P P XO XXX
4 Jeff Ryan Skip Stolley Group J5.50m 18-00.50 3-2
5.20 5.30 5.40 5.50 5.60
P P O XXO XXX
5 Tye Harvey Elite Athletes N 5.40m 17-08.50 1-1
5.20 5.30 5.40 5.50
O XO O XXX
— Tim Mack Unattached NH
5.20 5.30 5.40 5.50
P P P XXX
Event 13 Women Pole Vault 13-05 Invitational
==========================================================================
Name Year Team Finals
==========================================================================
Finals
1 Jenn Stuczynski adidas 4.70m 15-05.00 1-0
4.30 4.40 4.50 4.60 4.70 4.90
P P P P O XXX
2 Mary Vincent Elite Athletes N 4.50m 14-09.00 3-3
4.30 4.40 4.50 4.60
O XO XXO XXX
3 Tracy Ohara Unattached 4.40m 14-05.25 1-0
4.30 4.40 4.50
O O XXX
4 Becky Holliday Unattached J4.40m 14-05.25 1-1
4.30 4.40 4.50
XO O XXX
5 Stacy Dragila Nike J4.40m 14-05.25 1-2
4.30 4.40 4.50
XXO O XXX
6 Jillian Schwartz Nike 4.30m 14-01.25 1-0
4.30 4.40
O XXX
7 Nikki McEwen Unattached J4.30m 14-01.25 2-1
4.30 4.40
XO XXX
— Erin Asay Sheffield Elite NH
4.30
XXX
— Andree Pickens Elite Athletes N NH
4.30
XXX
Event 21 Men Hammer Throw 185-00 Invitational/Open
==========================================================================
Name Year Team Finals
==========================================================================
Finals
1 Kevin McMahon Unattached 75.08m 246-04
71.23m FOUL 75.08m 74.94m 72.21m 75.08m

2 Boldizsar Kocsor Ucla 67.45m 221-03
66.82m 66.62m 66.70m 65.73m 67.24m 67.45m
3 Zechariah Whittington Unattached 60.03m 196-11
56.80m FOUL 60.03m 54.27m FOUL FOUL
4 James Begley Colorado 52.54m 172-04
52.54m 51.26m FOUL FOUL FOUL
5 Carter Wells Stanford University 50.76m 166-06
50.76m FOUL FOUL FOUL FOUL
6 Cody Cox Unattached 50.12m 164-05
48.41m 47.82m 49.40m 49.09m 50.12m
Event 40 Men Discus Throw Invitational
==========================================================================
Name Year Team Finals
==========================================================================
Finals
1 Ian Waltz Nike 64.53m 211-08
63.10m 63.93m FOUL 64.53m FOUL FOUL
2 John Godina adidas 63.39m 208-00
51.45m 62.01m 62.80m 62.87m 63.39m FOUL

3 Casey Malone Nike 63.20m 207-04
63.20m 61.12m 62.11m 60.96m 61.18m 61.33m
4 Benn Harradine Australia 62.90m 206-04
58.44m 62.70m 59.04m 61.41m 61.83m 62.90m
5 Greg Garza Ucla 62.42m 204-09
60.49m 57.59m 62.42m FOUL 58.84m 59.54m
6 Jason Young Unattached 61.64m 202-03
57.19m 58.32m 59.40m 58.41m 61.64m FOUL
7 Brian Trainor Unattached 61.25m 200-11
61.23m FOUL 59.56m 59.46m 61.15m 61.25m
8 Michael Robertson Nike 61.14m 200-07
60.95m 61.14m 59.48m FOUL 60.51m 61.03m
9 Martin Maric California 60.04m 197-00
FOUL 60.04m 59.75m 56.10m 57.62m 58.32m
10 Jason Tunks Canada 59.34m 194-08
55.70m 59.34m 58.31m
11 Gaute Myklebust Unattached 59.14m 194-00
FOUL 59.14m FOUL
12 Adam Kuehl Unattached 58.44m 191-09
58.44m 58.18m FOUL
13 William Conwell Club Northwest 57.94m 190-01
55.94m 57.94m 54.54m
14 Jared Rome Nike 55.65m 182-07
FOUL FOUL 55.65m
15 Leif Arrhenius Byu 55.57m 182-04
54.46m 55.57m FOUL
Event 4 Men 200 Meter Dash 20.70 Open/Invitational
========================================================================
Name Year Team Finals Wind H#
========================================================================
1 Tyler Christopher Canada 20.55 0.6 3
2 Mickey Grimes NIKE 20.67 0.6 3
3 Ryan Bailey Club NW 20.69 1.0 1
4 Preston Perry Carl Lewis TC 20.90 0.6 3
5 Leroy Dixon NIKE 20.93 0.6 3
6 Andre Ammons Unattached 21.22 1.4 2
7 Phillip Francis Stolley 21.30 1.4 2
8 Star Roberts Athenian Athleti 21.42 0.6 3
9 Daryl Terrell Unattached 21.51 1.4 2
10 Leo Settle Athenian Athleti 21.53 1.4 2
11 Joel Stallworth Cal St. Stanisla 21.61 1.0 1
12 Hamed AlBishi HSI 21.62 0.6 3
13 Brant Gilbert Double Pillar At 21.66 0.6 3
14 Yahya AlGahes HSI 21.82 1.0 1
15 Will Montgomery Athenian Athleti 21.87 1.0 1
16 Aaron Thigpen Athenian Athleti 22.47 1.4 2
17 Ryun Fitzpatrick Athenian Athleti 22.59 0.6 3
18 Musa Howsawi HSI 22.66 1.4 2
19 Loius Foy Sub10 23.25 1.0 1
20 Cameron Brockmon Athenian Athleti 23.43 0.6 3
— Adel Asiri HSI DNF 1.4 2

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May 11, 2008

18 Responses

  1. Bill Collins - May 11, 2008

    Karl and Aaron, great jobs, and thanks to Modesto for opening up the races to master athletes, this can only help the masters movement. As we continue to display around the world what the master movement is all about. Best to all the runners for the rest of the year.

  2. peter taylor - May 11, 2008

    After Karl “The Quick” Smith ran his 14.41 at Charlotte (2006), I told the crowd “That is what Olympic hurdling looks like,” or words to that effect. Glad to see that Karl is still flying. Aaron Thigpen, you know you can go, there is no doubt about that. Hope to see one or both of you at Spokane (in August).

  3. david ashford - May 11, 2008

    To Mr Smith, congrats, and I commened you for a great race. But for all that were not present, the race procedure was totally inappropriate,with such a great field and everyone prepared to race. First I am in lane 5 ,stop, wait after for some ungodly reason I’m not included in the field and their ready to run the race. Everyone should know ,I have to shift my focus to making sure I’m in the race, which in all my running days, I have never had to go through such last minute changes. My number and lane was assigned to lane 5. I had already placed my number on my leg that the officials gave me 2hrs before. I followed the rules and checed in so I can just focus on the race. In my opinon, no world record holder should have to shift his focus from concentrating on the race to fighting to get a lane that was already assigned. This caused a shift in my focus and my mental drive. The lane assignments were already printed on the heat sheets indicating that Ashford was in lane 5. I love racing against the best and Karl was the best on that day. This is the start of remotivating a lion. I intend to roar on the track.
    It’s great for the sport of masters track because everyone has a chance to win on any given day thats why we train. To all out there, when you get put into lane 1 after lane assignments have been made clearly is a distraction to the athelete. What a te fiasco,from being assign to lane 5, then being told you are not in the race, to be given lane 1. When focus is to break a world record. Its very unfair for the runner to have to go through what I had to go through, but Im not bitter. Just give me some respect, I tried hard and play by the rules,and this situation did not hapen with any of the other races. To all the atheletes who competed in the TOM MOORE LEGENDS RACE, GREAT JOB AND MUCH RESPECT. I KNOW YOU CANT PREDICT WORLD RECORDS,BUT THE TIGER IS READY TO ROAR AGAIN AND I PUT IT OUT THERE. 14.41 IS GOING, GOING, AND WILL BE GONE. THERE WILL BE A NEW STANDARD, I WILL PUT MY HURDLING WHERE THE TRACK, IS BET.
    David Ashford

  4. Ken Stone - May 11, 2008

    My apologies to David for mislabeling him a 44-year-old in the original entry. He’s 45, which I could have confirmed by reviewing my interview with him from 2003. Duh!
    http://www.masterstrack.com/news2003/june10.html

  5. Richard Holmes - May 11, 2008

    I got out quick, but Karl and Dave hunted me down… Congratulations to Karl!
    For those who traveled from afar to compete I personally wanted to say, I appreciated
    your presence at the California Relays, Modesto. I promise top reciprocate the action, should another race of this quality happen in the Masters hurdling world. Count me in! If Willie and Rod had been there, that would have completed the dream field. I hope the two of them are well and healthy and I look forward to competing against them in the near future.
    After being injured from February through mid-April, I was very doubtful if I could make the race. But with all the effort Joy put into getting this thing put together, I did not want to let her, or, our sport down.
    Before this race, I was at a crossroads with my hurdling. The motivation was lost. Injuries took their toll on me physically, but better yet, emotionally.
    “Should I give it up?” is a question I asked myself on a daily basis. As you all know, with working full time, business travel, raising a family, paying bills, etc… At times,
    it can really get to you.
    But this race truly brought my competitive fire back and I promise to be there at Nationals and provide a superior performance than what I posted in Modesto. The fire is back and I’m ready to burn up the sticks! I’ll see you guys in Spokane.
    Respectfully,
    Richard Holmes

  6. Cornell Stephenson - May 11, 2008

    Congrats to all of the masters who represented us quite well in Modesto. The inspiration I receive from reading the results (from all masters sprinters) are like magic pills. I hope to rejoin the circuit later next month. David Ashford, I’m still awaiting the tape of the 2003 Worlds 4×100 please let me relieve the moment. Peace.
    Cornell Stephenson

  7. al cestero - May 11, 2008

    that’s what i’m talking about..!what tremendous effort and spectacular results in what i consider the toughest race out there : M 45 110m hurdles.us slightly older hurdlers, M50 + know what it’s like to gut it through those 110’s. but the best part is the FIRE that this race generated among the competitors…heck i’m 3,000 miles away, and i’m psyched…first ,the shuttle hurdles at nationals and now modesto…what next ?…albert

  8. Jeff Davison - May 11, 2008

    Awesome! Four Masters hurdlers running in the 14-teens in the same race.
    Great job all!
    -Jeff Davison

  9. Mark Cleary - May 11, 2008

    Hey congrats to everyone who ran in Modesto–but special thanks to David Ashford,Richard Holmes and Henry Andrade my team mates–way to represent!

  10. latty - May 12, 2008

    David,its not that serious…Plus, didnt u know Mr Smith is a LION TAMER…congrats to u and all who competed…looking forward to a continuing healthy year.

  11. saladin allah - May 12, 2008

    Niiice running hurdlers ! You guys are doin’it up ! Hey, Karl is one smooth customer….a man who knows hurdling and knows how to win.
    You must be at your best to defeat him……and at 48 he isn’t slowing, fast.
    Excellent running, Karl !

  12. Don Drummond - May 12, 2008

    Congrats to all, but I must agree with David in that it is very hard to shift your focus back to racing while attempting to correct lane changes. Anyone who has ever had to deal with an issue like this can relate to what David is saying and it is not an excuse. Everyone has a routine prior to getting in those blocks and if you have to deviate from it with this amount of effort, you can forget it. I am surprised and commend you for still running.
    No desrespect to Karl, as he looks to be back to his healthy state of hurdling. Situations like this can only make you hungry and I look forward to seeing both athletes go heads up again.
    Karl, I am glad to see that you are healthy again and let the competition continue!

  13. allan tissenbaum - May 12, 2008

    In what has become typical masters athletes whining, what was a great from what I heard was a great event, cudos to Joy has once again focused on the inequities and injustices done to us athletes. I think it was great that we were able to get into this prestigious meet and complaining is not going to help our mission for more exposure. Let your legs and times do the talking

  14. Karl "the Lion Tamer" Smith - May 12, 2008

    I can truly empathize with Dave and I can also attest to the fact that having your lane switched before a race shifts your focus. I too had that experience at Modesto; I was assigned lane 4 and moments before the race I was reassigned to the far outside lane 9 cramped up against the spectator wall. Being my first time going over the hurdles this year, luckily for me, this circumstance and my severely injured groin didn’t stand in the way of good competition nor deter my focus. Thanks to Mr. Miller for an outstanding event and allowing us to compete. It was also good seeing Henry and you other guys and meeting Richard for the first time. Look forward to seeing you all again. Stay healthy!
    PS – David: I agree with you 14.41 is going, going GONE!!! The Lion Tamer awaits you (smile).

  15. Karl - May 12, 2008

    How could I forget…
    Thanks Joy, it wouldn’t have been possible without you. Thanks for looking out…

  16. David Ashford - May 12, 2008

    Thanks King Karl,and I appreciate you having my back in regards to the race situation but the bottom line is you won the race and I will always sincerly give you the utmost respect and honor,because with out competition we would not have as much fun as we do,and keep the dedication us masters champions have and the love for our sport as we do,its shows and I’m being for real, much continued success.I would never trash talk a great guy like you,it’s all to keep the competitive jucies flowing ,I really want you to know that,so with that, lion tamer lets roll! God speed, your boy Dave,ps, remember it might just take more than just the lion tamer to hold me back. Good luck the rest of your season Mr Karl Smith.thank you yor friend and competitor ,DAVID ASHFORD.

  17. saladin allah - May 13, 2008

    YOU GUYS ARE THE BOMB !
    THAT’S THE WAY TO COMPETE !…WITH DIGNITY.
    I see you all have all the stimulus you need now…I will feed on it also. Thanks for the push gentlemen…At 48, I can attest we need alllll that we can get. Hopefully, see you in Spokane.

  18. al cestero - May 13, 2008

    ahh…there’s nothing like the smell of atomic balm in the morning…!!! albert

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