W75 Louise Guardino’s Baton Rouge blog may be best of the year

Louise holds up Carolina Godiva TC coffee mug.

W75 sprinter and thrower Louise Guardino keeps a lively track blog. She recently jotted down her memories (along with dozens of photos) of Baton Rouge nationals — nearly 7,000 words’ worth. (And she did this TWICE, after the computer ate her first post.) She drops a lot of names — many of them her heroines. At one point, she wrote: “While I was taking off my shoes, I was talking to Jeanne Daprano. She asked me to take off her back bib. She then threw it away. The front with her name was already trashed. Whoa, says I. May I have it? She graciously gave it to me. (This is like having a Bolt bib.)” On Facebook a couple weeks ago, she wrote about another outing: “Following in the tracks (😂 ) of my track cohorts — NC Senior Games State Finals were held at Durham County Stadium today. I ran 4 events in this order: 100m (18.94), 400m, (barf, barf, barf), (1:43.16) 200m (42.38) and 50m,(10.31) then did shot put 20′ 3.5″) and discus (47.1′). 1st in all except the shot, in which I was 2nd. My Achilles said HELLO during the 200m. Ice was welcome when I got home. Unlike Barbara Knight Warren, I did not do and would never do, 11 events. Six and done!” I salute Louise for writing down her memories. This is important for family history as well as the archives of our sport.

Louise’s Louisiana results:

W75 200 Meter Dash
=========================
USATF: # 34.82
Name Age Team Finals Wind Points
=========================
1 # 63 Bergen, Kathy W77 SC Striders 34.26# 0.4 8
2 # 311 Green, Rose W79 Potomac Vall 37.29 0.4 6
3 # 671 Robinson, Mary W75 Unattached 40.93 0.4 4
4 # 317 Guardino, Louise W76 Piedmont Pac 42.46 0.4 3
5 # 133 Carter, Ann W75 Atlanta Trac 46.86 0.4 2
6 # 422 Kane, Lana W77 Philadelphia 48.97 0.4 1

W75 400 Meter Dash
====================
75 USATF: # 1:22.59
Name Age Team Finals Points
====================
1 # 743 Smith, Mary W76 Colorado Mas 1:29.85 8
2 # 311 Green, Rose W79 Potomac Vall 1:34.71 6
3 # 671 Robinson, Mary W75 Unattached 1:35.48 4
4 # 317 Guardino, Louise W76 Piedmont Pac 1:48.61 3

W75 4×100 Meter Relay Non Club
================================================================
Team Finals
================================================================
1 Unattached ‘B’ 1:27.15
1) #133 Carter, Ann 75 2) #491 Marriott, Joanne 78
3) #317 Guardino, Louise 76 4) #671 Robinson, Mary 75

W75 Shot Put
====================
75 USATF: # 8.83m
Name Age Team Finals Points
====================
1 # 491 Marriott, Joanne W78 Colorado Mas 7.57m 8
7.34m 7.29m 6.40m 7.57m 6.30m 6.65m
2 # 671 Robinson, Mary W75 Unattached 6.66m 6
6.54m 5.82m 6.49m 6.28m 6.14m 6.66m
3 # 317 Guardino, Louise W76 Piedmont Pac 6.27m 4
4.79m 5.26m 5.49m 4.70m 6.27m 5.18m
4 # 422 Kane, Lana W77 Philadelphia 5.81m 3
5.81m 5.68m 5.67m 5.58m 5.80m 5.08m
5 # 729 Simpson, Jane W76 Tnt Internat 4.82m 2
4.82m 4.79m 4.74m 4.51m FOUL 3.03m

W75 Discus Throw
====================
75 USATF: # 20.14m
Name Age Team Finals Points
====================
1 # 491 Marriott, Joanne W78 Colorado Mas 19.67m 8
FOUL 17.19m 17.73m FOUL 17.54m 19.67m
2 # 63 Bergen, Kathy W77 SC Striders 19.32m 6
FOUL 18.97m 19.32m 17.24m 17.77m 19.12m
3 # 671 Robinson, Mary W75 Unattached 16.09m 4
13.74m 16.09m 14.81m 15.34m 14.98m 14.92m
4 # 317 Guardino, Louise W76 Piedmont Pac 13.81m 3
12.11m 12.58m 13.81m 10.79m 11.62m 12.46m
5 # 729 Simpson, Jane W76 Tnt Internat 11.26m 2
10.21m 11.26m 10.66m PASS PASS PASS
6 # 422 Kane, Lana W77 Philadelphia 10.52m 1
10.24m 10.42m FOUL 9.83m 10.52m 10.47m

W75 Javelin Throw
====================
75 USATF: # 20.91m
Name Age Team Finals Points
====================
1 # 63 Bergen, Kathy W77 SC Striders 19.30m 8
19.30m FOUL 17.77m 18.02m 17.73m 17.50m
2 # 671 Robinson, Mary W75 Unattached 15.49m 6
14.46m 13.13m 15.49m 13.91m 13.03m 12.56m
3 # 422 Kane, Lana W77 Philadelphia 15.05m 4
14.83m 13.74m 14.73m 15.05m 13.95m 12.55m
4 # 491 Marriott, Joanne W78 Colorado Mas 13.98m 3
11.84m 13.98m FOUL 12.30m 11.26m 13.57m
5 # 317 Guardino, Louise W76 Piedmont Pac 12.84m 2
12.01m 11.52m 12.43m 11.96m 12.84m 11.70m
6 # 133 Carter, Ann W75 Atlanta Trac 11.41m 1
7.82m 10.99m FOUL FOUL 10.34m 11.41m

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October 1, 2017

3 Responses

  1. Peter L. Taylor - October 1, 2017

    Thanks for publishing this, Ken. Louise combines the skills of a perceptive travel writer with a wonderful feel for the day-to-day demands of competing in a national T&F championship. I certainly enjoyed her long post, and I really did appreciate the detailed account of her visit to Baton Rouge.

    Regardless of our events, we spend much of the time at nationals not doing the throws, jumps, or track events but rather in performing the more mundane tasks of our daily lives for 3-4 days in an unfamiliar environment. Your devotion to your twin tasks of writing a journal and taking photos is certainly appreciated, Louise.

    (s) One of your many fans, Peter L. Taylor*

    * Last competed at nationals in 1984.

  2. christel donley - October 2, 2017

    Louise, when I met you first – you had the worst cold/flue and I could hardly stand on my feet, after tearing up my knee – 2 yrs ago, in Albuquerque.
    I came home with your cold….took forever to get over it. THANKS!

    Now, how could you forget to OPENLY mention that I showed you how to shot put – I mean, it was “instant coaching”! Can’t remember, if you placed – hi-hi!

    Now seriously, you have become a great friend and were very concerned about my status after the car crash. You sent great pics and your report on the Nationals was great to read, thanks for that as well.

    Now, until we meet again: ALL THE BEST.
    As Peter said: I am also one of your fans!

  3. Louise Guardino - October 4, 2017

    Christel Donley! The first time I saw you, you were hobbling on crutches 2 years ago in Albuquerque! It was this past February, when you gave me shot tips and I apparently gave you a taste of my bronchitis (diagnosed upon return) to take home!

    Wishing us both better years ahead — especially you — breathe easy until well. You are a delight (cheerful and bright) to know. And a fierce competitor.

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