Sarasota, Florida, newspaper features masters track in senior story
I had a nice chat yesterday with a reporter in Florida, who produced this nice summary of masters sports. Thomas Becnel writes: “In Englewood, 80-year-old David Rider has set records in everything from the high jump to the 5,000-meter. To match his rivals, the former track coach runs four days a week and lifts weights or stretches on his off days. ‘We all take it pretty seriously,’ he says. ‘Just like a younger guy would.’ Rider holds Florida Senior Games records in the 80-85 age group for the high jump (3 feet, 8 inches) and pole vault (6 feet). He won a national championship as an 80-year-old with a 5K time of 31 minutes, 8 seconds. How long does he expect those marks to last? ‘Not very long,’ Rider says, laughing.” Love it (despite the 80-85 booboo. Common error.)
Nice headline — it's creative rather than dismissive or cliche — for Tom's story.
2 Responses
There are a lot of great masters competitors down here in the SRQ. Mostly roadracers I’m afraid, but we’re working on getting some of them back on the track. It was a nice surprise to see Ken Stone in our local fishwrap this morning. Yea Ken!
David Rider was an outstanding track coach at Mount Vernon HS in Mount Vernon, NY. He was elected to the Westchester County Sports Hall of Fame. I am trying to locate him in order to include him in a book I am writing about ‘the greatest sports figures’ to come out of Mount Vernon. I would appreciate if David could contact me at bfabric459@aol.com or on my cell at 914-772-2434.
Thanks, Bruce Fabricant
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