The spirit of Oshkosh: Photos testify to our better angels
A small boy glows with pride for his hero dad. Marty Krulee embraces Mike Waller as the new M50 sprint great. An injured hurdler shows his pain. Another hurdler holds his hammie and wonders: Why me? Leland McPhie eats up the attention after his M95 high jump world record. Old and young. Fierce rivals but fast friends. This is the spirit of masters track. Oshkosh nationals had all on display, and my wife, Chris, and I were privileged to witness these moments and capture a few (thousand) on flash memory cards. Thank goodness we don’t buy film anymore!  See our latest gallery. As always, write Chris if you’re interested in a high-resolution image in this bunch.Â
And a final shout-out to the Unsung Heroes of Oshkosh: Dr. John Swanson of the Wisconsin-Oshkosh athletic department and his incredible training staff. They roamed the track and fields all four days, doing triage after sprinters started dropping like flies. Wrapping dozens with ice. Generally patching us up lickety-split.
Dr. Swanson saved me hours of wasted time in an emergency room by treating my head injury in an infirmary under the stadium stands. (I conked my head on a high jump standard, requiring eight staples to close the gash. The staples finally came out Monday afternoon. I’m 100% fine now. No concussion or even a headache. On to Lahti!)
Dr. Swanson also treated Vermont masters legend Flo Meiler after she fell and banged her head on the vault box during a world record attempt. Her cut required only six staples. A day later, she was back hurdling, sprinting and doing all manner of exhausting activities. Wonder Woman personified.
Dr. Swanson relaxes near the water jump, awaiting steepler ouchies.Â
Dr. Swanson chats with Flo Meiler a few days after treating her head injury.
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9 Responses
Ken,
These images are a beautiful conception, artfully executed by the Stone team of two.
I really like the the thematic approach and applaud you and Chris for your hard work combined with thoughtful art.
Yes, athletes will always battle head on, and we always bequeath the struggle with overinflated meaning in the moment of competition, yet we nearly always alight the ego-driven lofty perch for the simple embrace of brother and sisterhood when the dust and the dreaming return to earth.
You have told the story in images, in a powerful and meaning filled way.
And, I am glad to hear your noggin is in tip-top shape.
Nice picture galleries that have been posted from the national meet Ken. For those in the M30-34 shot put competition I posted the video on youtube for all to see. First time doing it so hope you guys like it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzSVpA9kszA
All track pictures where are the women field events?
Those photos say it all. The spirit of the competition, and mutual respect for the fellow competitor.
Thank you to Ken and his wife for all the joy the photos show! Great job!!
To Anonymous,
Just go to the top of the page and click on “Photos.” Looks like about 650 pics in total!
…make that over 1000 pics!
Injured M50-54 Hurdlers? They are
Keith McQuitter and Joe Schwieterman.
Keith is already training again.
Thanks for all the photos..I know some of them have become people’s profile pictures on facebook
I competed in 5 events M50. All very well represented with quality throwers. Not 1 pic!! Where’s the throwers love…..?
Just for fun I went back to Spokane pics from last year. No M50 throwers.
M50’s we need to make more noise or wear funny hats.
The pic’s of everyone else are great. Good work and thanks for the effort.
Look us up next year in Sac. We’re a great group!!
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