Yanks helped set turnout, meet records at Toronto nationals

Ben James had the track to himself in the M55 400. See Doug Smith's photo galleries.

Ben James had the track to himself in the M55 400. See Doug Smith’s photo galleries.

A week before North Carolina nationals, the Maitres Canadiens held their two-day indoor nationals in Toronto. Their showing was 235, not exceptional by American standards but still “the largest turnout at a Masters Indoor event in Canadian history,” said CMA. It helped that at least a half-dozen south of the border types took part, including M55 long sprinter Ben James, who won the 4 in a meet record 57.74. Some 19 Canadian records were set at the March 14-15 event, plus 98 meet records, detailed on this page. M30 American high jumper Richard White Jr. set an MR at 2.05 meters (6-8 3/4). M65 Yank Lewis Breese threw a MR in the shot of 10.82 (35-6) and M70 Yank John Kasperski claimed a weight throw MR of 14.87 (48-9 1/2). Results are here. (Other Americans competing Up There were M55 Rodney Wilson and the alliterative Horace Hudson in M60 and Phillip Pillin in M50.) Nice job, gents!

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March 24, 2015

3 Responses

  1. Bill McIlwaine - March 25, 2015

    Actually the turnout of 235 is very exceptional by U.S. standards. For the U.S. to have a similar turnout they would need around 2300 base on their population being around 10 times that of Canada’s.

  2. Jerry Bookin-Weiner - March 25, 2015

    Ken, I think John Kasperski will be very surprised to hear that he’s a Yank. He’s most definitely a Canadian. As far as I know, he always has been. Great to see him throwing so well.

  3. Phillip Pillin - March 28, 2015

    The drive from Northeast Ohio was just a little over five hours. It was a nice meet. Nice venue! It is always nice to go somewhere and “not know anyone” but leave after meeting many nice people! it was especially nice to meet Karla Del Grande and Doug Smith, both very passionate about the sport and doing a nice job putting on the meet! Many Thanks!

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