Ossmann, Brown win shot, vault exhibitions at Albuquerque meet
Sunday’s masters vault and shot exhibitions went off well at the USA Indoor Track & Field Championships in Albuquerque, report event organizers Brad Winter and Jamie Koch. Shot results are here, and vault results are here. M50 Paul Ossmann tossed the 6-kilo ball to win with 15.58 (51-1 1/2), and Charles Brown, 54, needed only five jumps to win at 4.20 (13-9 1/4). Jamie, the M70 shot-put maven, wrote me: “The meet was a lot of fun. . . . I thought the exhibition was very well organized and ran very smoothly. We were fortunate to have top-notch officials. . . . We ended up with eight shot putters. Mike Shiaras hurt his knee, so Steve Ross filled in for him. The meet attracted approximately 3000 spectators, about 1000 of whom watched the shot put exhibition and who reacted enthusiastically to good throws.â€
The Albuquerque 8: (Back row, left to right) Tim Muller, Paul Ossmann, Paul Economides and Dennis Diaz. (Front row, left to right) Gerry Vaughn, Jamie Koch, Bob Ward and Steve Ross. (Photo courtesy Jamie Koch)
Jamie continued:
Medals were awarded to the top three throwers. Each thrower took a total of 4 throws. All of the shot putters are class acts, very personable gentlemen in every sense of the word. Those from out of town stayed together at the MCM Elegante Hotel in Albuquerque, close to the venue. We had a very enjoyable dinner together Saturday night at Nick and Jimmy’s Steakhouse.
About his own efforts, Jamie wrote:
I am not disappointed. Due to snowy weather in Santa Fe, and injuries to my back and knee, I was only able to work out a couple of times in the past several weeks. My form was fair. I threw 11.50 meters but fouled. This year I hope to throw 40-42 feet outdoors. That is my goal. All of the shot putters, with the exception of Bob Ward, were off their distances. Bob Ward had some of his best indoor throws at the meet. His form was excellent.
M55 Brad Winter, a local councilman who organized the masters vault, no-heighted but wrote me:
It was a great meet. Just to have the opportunity to compete in that environment was awesome. The crowd loved watching the masters vault. Even though I did not make a bar, just having the opportunity to be involved was a great experience. The neat thing is that we were treated exactly like the open athletes. I think most of the vaulters did well. The runway was very fast. I think everyone had a great experience. The meet was a sellout both nights.
3 Responses
Paul Ossmann’s throw was a personal best indoors, and the best throw in the nation indoors this year.
If he was off in Albuquerque that is impressive.
From the smiles on their faces, it looks like everyone had a good time. The fact that 1000 people stuck around to watch is great. Maybe this will create some type of buzz for master’s throwing. Way to represent gentlemen!
Jamie stated that everyone but Bob Ward was off during this competition, It must have been contagious as the big boys in the USA Indoor competition had marks that were down…57’2 to make top 10. Was there an issue with the ring being slow or some other factor causing problems?
Don’t quite understand Jamie’s comments. Ossmann’s throw was an indoor and 2010 best indoors.
As far as the big boys Chad, alot of fouls out of left sector and looked like some going through the motions.
Taylor had some big fouls…..near 70. But it’s what you keep in and 69 feet and change was that mark Sunday.
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