More awe in Utah: Obera, Neidig add names to record books
The legends came out to play yesterday at the Huntsman World Senior Games. Continuing her comeback, Hall of Famer Irene Obera of Fremont, California, won the 100 in 16.67 seconds to erase one of the oldest sprint records on the books — the W75 American record of 16.87 by Polly Clarke in 1985. (The world record is 15.91.) And Don Neidig of New Mexico ran a lap in 57.07 to inch closer to Guido Müeller’s M65 400 world record of 56.37 — once thought untouchable. Track director Cindi Blevins graciously shared yesterday’s results from Snow Canyon High School in St. George, Utah. Not to be overlooked was four-time Olympian Jay Silvester, the former world record holder in the discus. He hails from Lindon, Utah. On the meet’s final day, Jay at 72 threw 45.97 (150-10), likely a single-age world record with the 1-kilo disc. (The best I can find is 148-0 3/4 by Wendell Palmer in 2004.) Now it’s on to Sydney for the World Masters Games, where the track meet starts October 11 and lasts eight days (with one rest day).
Irene Obera, shown a few years ago, is in at least four Halls of Fame.
5 Responses
What a performer Irene Obera has been. I think back to the 1995 Worlds at Buffalo, where I had the distinct pleasure of announcing her in a 100 trial (quite sure that Al Sheahen announced the final).
I knew I was announcing a big star, and I played it that way. Irene won the 100 (13.51), the 200 (29.98), and the 400 (1:07.80) at the age of 61. In 1999, I think it was, Irene told Audrey Lary that she was turning things over to her — Audrey was amazed and honored.
Now we are in 2009, and Irene is back. At the Sr Games she ran 16.66 in the 100, with Audrey Lary second in 17.01. Audrey turned the tables in the 200, winning in 35.57 to Irene’s 36.30, just two of the many fabulous sprints at Stanford.
Wait a second. Irene ran 16.66 at the Sr Games, and this posting says she ran 16.67 at Huntsman. And so the Stanford performance was actually the record, presuming the wind was allowable. Interesting.
Way to go “Reno” are you staying with it? Next January, I will join you and Audrey in the 3/4 of a century!!!
Now, PLEASE tell me, the Huntsman Games were sanctioned!!!!
Polly Clarke did not have that problem.
Yes, HWSG are USATF-sanctioned:
http://www.usatf.org/calendars/searchResults.asp?startDate=10%2F02%2F2009&endDate=10%2F11%2F2009&ageGroup=M&includeAllAges=ON&eventType=O&name=&series=&city=&state=UT&country=&associationNumber=&prizePurse=&distanceSelection=other&distance=&distanceUnits=&distanceComparison=%3D&submit=Search
Thanks, Peter, for the heads up on Irene’s 16.66 at Palo Alto!
No wind in that race:
http://www.sml1.com/recordtiming/seniorgames09/090805F153.htm
But no USATF sanction for the meet.
Still waiting to hear how this is being resolved.
Thanks, Ken. Would love to see this mark accepted as well as all the others set at Stanford. If they ran exactly 100 meters, if the starter says it was a good start, and if there was a nice FAT crew there, what’s not to like?
PLT
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