Raschker named USATF Athlete of the Week for fourth time

By my count, Phil Raschker has won the top USATF weekly honor four times (corrected from three). First was in summer 2002 after Orono nationals. Next came  September 2007 after Riccione outdoor worlds. Then in March 2008 after Clermont-Ferrand indoor worlds. And then yesterday in the wake of Kamloops, where she won 10 medals (seven of them gold).  I don’t think a check comes with the title, but she deserves one just for showing folks you can go day after day. Phil, who turned 63 last month, was “The Legend” when I started covering masters track in 1996. So what do we call her now?  She defies description.

Phil hurdled at Orono nationals in 2007. That and the vault are her fortes. (Photo by Ken Stone)

Here’s the relevant portion of the Indy press release:

INDIANAPOLIS – All-time Masters track and field great Phil Raschker has been named USA Track & Field’s Athlete of the Week after winning 10 medals at the recently concluded 2010 World Indoor Masters Athletics Championships in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada.

Raschker, a tax accountant from Marietta, Ga., finished the meet with seven gold medals, two silver medals and one bronze in the W60 age group. On Saturday, the final day of the event, she won the 400m in 75.60 seconds, and anchored her 4x200m relay team to a bronze medal with a split of 30.8 seconds. Her eight other medal winning performances in the W60 age group are listed below:

60m: 9.25 seconds (Silver)200m: 31.19 seconds (Gold)

60m Hurdles: 10.40 seconds (Gold)

High Jump: 1.29 meters/4 feet 2.75 inches (Silver)

Pole Vault: 2.40m/7-10.50 (Gold)

Long Jump: 4.19m/13-9 (Gold)

Triple Jump: 9.03m/29-7.50 (Gold)

Indoor Pentathlon: 4,532 points (Gold – won 4 of the 5 separate events)

Now in its ninth 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 13, Jen Clayton; January 20, Shalane Flanagan; January 27, Nolan Shaheed; February 3, Bernard Lagat; February 10, Bernard Lagat; February 17, Shalane Flanagan; February 24, Amber Campbell; March 3, Amber Campbell; March 10, Phil Raschker.

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March 11, 2010

7 Responses

  1. pino pilotto - March 11, 2010

    Phil Raschker = PLUS ULTRA

  2. Rob D'Avellar - March 11, 2010

    Phil’s tremendous accomplishments read like something from “Ripley’s Believe It or Not”. Nominated twice for the Sullivan Award. Lost the first time to swimmer Michael Phelps (but was 38 years older than he).

    My favorite “Phil Fact”: when pole vault was introduced about a decade ago as an official sport for US women, the three top women pole vaulters in the US were aged 18, 19 and 53. I guess we know who the 53-year-old was.

    When is corporate America going to wise up and put Phil’s face on a Wheaties box or make her the spokesperson for some athletic product? She is the pride of the boomer generation and we are a huge market. As a 60-year-old, I am not particularly persuaded to buy athletic shoes simply because they are being hawked by an 20-year-old Olympian. I would, however, be persuaded by a fellow boomer like Phil.

    Isn’t it time for corporate America to spread some of their sponsorship money around and recognize stellar Masters athletes like Phil?

  3. Marie Kay - March 11, 2010

    Congratulations Phil.. you deserve the awards you are amazing!!

  4. Bubba Sparks - March 11, 2010

    A long time hero of mine, I’m still trying to find words to describe Phil as both a person and athlete. She has been a very dear friend for years and I’m always so happy to see her get the recognition she deserves. Bubba

  5. Paul Ciarrocchi - March 11, 2010

    I could not agree more with Rob D’Avellar’s comments.Potential sponsors are missing the boat not using some of the sensational master’s athletes like Phil Raschker, Bill Murray, etc. to attract older consumers to their products. These athletes have great stories to tell and are inspirational examples!Corporate America needs to wake up and smell the coffee (and use a master’s athlete to help sell it!)

  6. Ken Stone - March 11, 2010

    Oops, I missed one!

    Phil also was named USATF Athlete of the Week after Orono nationals in 2002:
    http://www.usatf.org/news/showRelease.asp?article=/news/releases/2002-08-13.xml

    So make that FOUR times!

  7. Grant Lamothe - March 11, 2010

    To Phil:

    It was great to see you in Kamloops.

    This is another award much deserved. You continue to amaze, and your athleticism and enthusiasm are much appreciated.

    BTW, you and Rita and the other 55/60 age group ladies in the call room (waiting for the high jump I think) looked fabulous. Yes, Wheaties should put you all on a cereal box (or Sports Illustrated should put you all on a calendar)to get the boomers inspired.

    I expect you to break some of Olga Kotenka’s records when the time comes -Grant Lamothe

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