A little paper in Medford, Massachusetts, has discovered masters track. And it’s amazed that folks as old as 47 (!!!) run sprints. The headline on the story reads: “Kicking it old school: Kountze proves hitting 40 isn’t fatal” Subject of the story is M45 sprinter Michael Kountze, who grew up in Medford but now lives in Nashville. More evidence of wacked editing is when the writer says: ” Kountze sprints in the 45-49 category running about 300 feet (100 meters) in 11.8 seconds. He continues to hold a 25-year-old record best of 10.2 second in the 100-meter dash, set during his senior year at his alma mater, Middlebury College in Vermont.” Don’t get me started. Oh well, at least the sport is in the public eye.

Here’s the story, in case the link goes bad:

Nearly two decades after graduating from Medford High School, Michael Kountze is still running wild. The Medford native has earned world elite status as a 47-year old sprinter.

A Cat Financial Syndications Account Manager, Kountze has excelled in track and field during his golden years winning three races at Colorado Springs’ bi-annual State Games of America, Aug. 3-5. The former Medford High Mustang placed first in the 50, 100 and 200-meter events, proving that hitting 40 isn’t fatal.

“It’s a good way to stay in shape,” Kountze said. “It’s not as competitive or cut-throat as in college. You get to really know your competitors and there is camaraderie and brotherhood among the sprinters which is nice.”

Although he won’t be confused with the fastest man in the U.S., the 6-foot, 220-pound sprinters no. 12 ranking in the 100 meters puts him in an elite class. His speed also landed him in the top 20 in the world according to other rankings.

It was clear that Colorado Springs brought out the best in him.

“It was a lot of fun and good competition,” said Kountze, who currently resides in Nashville, TN. “The meet itself is held once every two years and this is my second time participating.”

Kountze previously competed in 2005, winning both the 100 and 200. But all of that paled in comparison to the breathtaking scenery the event was set in.

“It was great conditions and I always enjoy running out in Colorado at the Air Force Academy,” He said. “It’s a beautiful place to run. It feels good.”

More than 10,000 athletes gathered in Colorado for the Olympic-style competition. Participants qualify by finishing in the top three in their event in a state meet. Since Tennessee doesn’t offer these races, Kountze competed in Georgia and won.

Standing on the winners’ platform is nothing new for Kountze. He consistently places well in the four to five races he usually competes in annually across the Southeastern U.S.

Born and raised in Medford, Kountze wasn’t know for his speed around Medford High School.

“I was actually one of the slowest guys on the track team,” said Kountze, who graduated from MHS in 1978. “I didn’t really come into my own until I went to college.”

It wasn’t until he began attending Middlebury College, that Kountze first started to realize his potential. The two-sport athlete decided to drop football his junior and senior year to concentrate on track.

The changed seemed to agree with him, as Kountze earned All-New England honors his senior year at Middlebury College. He still owns the 100 record at Middlebury (10.2) some 25-years later.

Kountze sprints in the 45-49 category running about 300 feet (100 meters) in 11.8 seconds. He continues to hold a 25-year-old record best of 10.2 second in the 100-meter dash, set during his senior year at his alma mater, Middlebury College in Vermont. He continued to run after college, but with work responsibilities, put it on the shelf for a while. He picked up his track shoes again just five years ago to run Masters’ Track, a class category, which begins at age 40. Runners are grouped into five-year age divisions.

“I do it for the camaraderie, my competitors are spread out all over the country and we get to know each other at these meets, like a little fraternity,” he said

A regular user of the Fitness Center at FPD Headquarters, he is also on the Fitness Center Advisory Council for Caterpillar Financial. Weight workouts inside are commonplace, as well as guidance from Fitness Center director Pearlie Pope.

With his wins at the State Games, Kountze qualified for the World events in Italy this September, but he will pass them up.

“It took me about two or three days to recover from the races in Colorado with the altitude there. I want to give my body a rest – coming back to sea level, it took me a while to get my bearings.”

As for future endeavors, Kountze is already looking ahead to the World Masters Games in Sydney Australia in 2009.

“I’m looking forward to participating in that and run the 100 and 200 for the United States,” he said.

His ultimate goal is lifelong fitness.

“As long as my legs keep moving I’m going to keep competing.”