M60 Bill Collins back on top—named USATF Athlete of the Week
Bill vs. Tyson Gay
Here’s the USATF news release:
INDIANAPOLIS – Masters standout Bill Collins of Houston, Texas has been named USA Track & Field’s Athlete of the Week after he set three American and two World Records last weekend at the USA Masters Indoor Track & Field Championships in Albuquerque, N.M.
Collins won the national title in every flat event under 400m for the men’s 60-64 age division. He ran 24.32 for 200m, 55.68 for 400m, and his time in the 60m is still under review.
“I knew I had trained well, but it was only my second meet of the year,” Collins said. “I didn’t expect to run at the level I did, and I attribute that to my competitors, the tremendous atmosphere in Albuquerque and the fabulous track facility out there.”
Collins has been running at an elite level since high school including competing internationally for Team USA, and now is a fixture in the masters track and field community.
Collins explained, “Once you get to masters, it is a joy. There is so much camaraderie with the athletes; it is like a reunion of family and friends when we get together.”
Now in its tenth year, USATF’s Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on the USATF website. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.
Winners: January 5, Bill Tribou; January 12, Tyler Sorensen; January 20, Josh Cox; January 26, Ben Shorey; February 2, Ashton Eaton; February 9, Ashton Eaton; February 16, Bernard Lagat; February 23, Ryan Crouser; March 2, Jillian Camarena-Williams; March 10, Bill Collins
17 Responses
Bill, you do not have a lot of nicknames. How about this one: King of All Sprinters.
You had a wonderful series of sprint performances in Albuquerque, as did many others. At times there was an electrifying atmosphere, certainly very conducive to flying over the track.
This was the first time I got to see Bill Collins run. It was so awesome! The 400 really stood out for me as it was truely a race and the 200 was just beautiful to see! SO Awesome!!!
BILL, GREAT GOING .
Great Job Mr. Collins! Records are made to be Broken! Sully
Great times,Great guy, well deserved honor.
On occasion, we are given examples of great talent married to humility, perseverance and genuine goodwill toward competitors, and the fans that observe the sport. Bill fits in a category with the likes of Cal Ripken, John Wooden and other examples worthy of emulation. Masters track is continually blessed by his presence.
Congratulations Bill, I know personally how hard you work.
“Nothing is more contagious than example, and no man does any exceeding good or exceeding ill but it spawns new deeds of the same kind.”
-Francois La Rochefoucald-
I agree with all you guys in regards to Mr. Collins. He is a true great in every sense of the word.
Congratulations to the greatest one to ever lace up Masters track sprint shoes. It has been a privilege to compete with you. Oh yeah, watch your back…
What Bill has been able to accomplish as a Master’s sprinter is unbelievable. If you look at his times over the years, he looses about a tenth of a second (or slightly more) per year. Has any man other than Bill run under 11 seconds at 50 or above? Congrats on an amazing career. I hear you Big O(Oscar Peyton).
Just to answer the stat question (sub-11/50+), Thane Baker did it, wind-aided – 10.99 at 52, in
’84 at Arlington.(Auto time?) Also, a 10.94 (0.9w)by Kerry Smith(Can)at 52?, which might be a hand time. Plus hand 10.8s, by Ike Murphy, Ron Beadle,
maybe others.
A few of us get to train with Bill on a weekly basis. He is no doubt one of the greatest sprinters of all time. I was asked the other day if I would share or knew any of his training secrets. Okay, I will share three; his faith, his hard work, and he has a great wife(Stephanie)at his side, who assists with our training (Houston Elite. Here is another big secret, I think Stephanie is a tougher coach! 🙂
Bill..welcome to the 60s! It is always an honor to be on the same track as you. Everything the other folks wrote here is true..you are indeed the greatest masters sprinter ever. Congrads on the Athlete of the week honor.
Thanks to Ken, Pete and officials, along with all the great athletes and friends past and present that have supported me and the masters program over the years. The late Payton Jordan was one man I admired greatly and we became good friends. Now to have my name associated with his and the great Ronald Taylor, along with other great athletes leaves me speechless. This sport has brought a lot of joy to myself and family, from all the great people that we have meet around the world, many of them along with their families have now become life long friends, too many to name but you know who you are. One could look at greatness as those that have exceptional talents, or by remarkable achievements.
My version, “Count your garden by the flowers, never by the leaves that fall, count your days by golden hours, don’t remember clouds at all, count your nights by stars not shadows, count your years with smiles not tears, count your blessings not your troubles, count your age by friends not years”.
Congratulations from Spain Bill.!..
Andres
Bill Collins…you are an inspiration!
Hey Bill, missed you at the Worlds Masters Track and Field Championship in Sacramento, CA this year but I heard you were sick. I hope your back up on your feet and training once again. You were always an out standing runner especially back in the days at TCU. I know because I trained with you. Continued much success and maybe our paths will across once again.
Bill Collins—my friend,USATF
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