Nadine O’Connor’s encore: American record in debut 300H
Nadine O’Connor, the vault legend and world-record holder in the W65 100, has run hurdles before, “but never more than five,” she told me last night. Well, she’s no longer a long-hurdles virgin. Competing at Long Beach State University alongside Rita Hanscom, Linda Cohn and “a couple of guys,” Nadine yesterday ran the 300-meter hurdles in 56.71 — crushing the listed W65 American record of 62.49 by Barbara Jordan. Yes, it was her first-ever try at 300s. “I wasn’t sure I could even do it,” Nadine told me in a phone chat after the USATF-sanctioned Self-Transcendence Masters Meet (formerly Sri Chinmoy). Unsure of her endurance, she said she was dumbfounded at her success and how “absolutely fun” it was. The seven-hurdle race over 27-inch barriers ends at age 69. At 70, Nadine gets a crack at the 200-meter hurdles. But the listed WR for W65 300H is 55.69 by Holland’s Riedtje Dijknan in 2005. Nadine doesn’t even turn 68 until March, so she’ll have more tries.
Rita Hanscom broke 51 seconds for the second straight week in the 300 hurdles but fell short of her ambitious goal of lowering Phil Raschker’s 49.14 world record for W55.
Linda Cohn also deserves recognition. She’s the American record holder in the W55 javelin who has run sprints before. But she also was trying the 300 hurdles for the first time — just to make sure Nadine’s mark was kosher for record purposes (with a race needing at least three starters).
Linda finished.
For Nadine’s part, “I’ve never been so nervous for an event in my life,” she said of anticipating the 300s, her only event yesterday. Competing out of lane 8 about 1:40 p.m. with temps in the low 80s, Nadine used a left-leg lead throughout but stutter-stepped at least one hurdle, she says.
She also wore a knee brace as insurance, having hurt her left leg at the USATF Masters National Decathlon Championships a month ago (where her age-graded score topped 10,000 points).
But the knee felt fine during the race, Nadine says.
Nadine says the event attracted her from a mental standpoint as well — trying to figure out how to apportion her energy, etc.
Looks like she nailed that, too.
On the Age-Graded Tables. her time corresponds to an open women’s 400-meter hurdle clocking of 55.54 seconds — which would rank fifth on the USATF open list this year.
Nice run, Nadine!
Nadine ran 80-meter hurdles at Club West in 2007.
Nadine O’Connor’s historic sub-30: a windy 200
Running her first 200 since March, 65-year-old Nadine O’Connor of Del Mar, California, ran the 200 in 29.83 yesterday at the Southern California Striders Meet of Champions at Long Beach State. I saw that race, which had an illegal wind, and also heard she set a long jump record for her age group. Results will be posted soon on the Striders Web site. The listed W65 world record for the deuce is 30.46 by Irene Obera in August 1999. As far as I can tell, no woman older than 63 had ever run 200 in under 30 seconds under any circumstances. Nadine, of course, telegraphed her potential here by running a WR 14.11 for 100 at Mt. SAC. I took lots of photos, including shots of Willie Banks triple-jumping. No M50 record, but great efforts.
13 Responses
Very well done of both Nadine and Rita! By the way, it is Rietje, not Riedtje for the world record holder. Rietje has had some difficult years with injuries and illnesses but slowly is coming into shape.
Great run, Nadine! Wow! And congrats to Rita for her so-close race (you’ll get it) and to Linda for finishing!
San Diego Dynamic Duo represenetd. Nadine and Rita you ladies are Truely amazing Athletes.
Hey Nadine:
Nice race!! Another good event in your arsenal!
By the way, I was in the 300m hurdle heat with Barbara Jordan where she set the record you just broke. It was at the Hayward Meet in Eugene and they put all the 60+ long hurdlers, men and women, (four in total so the record was legal), in one heat.
See you in Sacramento next year, maybe you could be our rabbit in the 300m hurdles.
-Grant L.
Congratulations Nadine,Rita and Linda!
I admire your courage and conviction..Regardless of the event and the impressive results, you are all three fabulous athletes, with talent, heart and dedication. I am thrilled to know you and am inspired by your multi-event skills.
All three of you ladies are an inspiration!
I’m also inspired by these 3 women! They work hard, have great athleticism, and show terrific spirit and heart!
“Hats off” to anyone who has ever run the hurdles…I have new found respect for you all!! I
Congratulations Ladies.. being as passionate as i am about track i truley understand your achievemnets.. you are all awesome, great job!!!
Watched the race yesterday. You ladies are amazing! I loved every second of it!
Photos of the hurdles and the rest of the track and field events are at http://www.athlinks.com/gallery/22783/LA-Self-Transcendence-Masters-Track-and-Field-.aspx
She came, she saw, she conquered. Great effort, Nadine.
Many thanks to all for the kind and encouraging words and emails. I need all the encouragement I can get: This is one very difficult and scary event!
Rita was her usual amazing self, as was Linda Cohn, running from event to event with her next event shoes in hand, all the while lending support and help to her friend Lillie.
As usual, Brigalita and her happy crew were efficient, helpful, and encouraging. Plus, they always provide tasty and abundant healthy snacks!
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