Archive for July, 2011
WMA veep threatens vaulter after gripe over Sac State practice
Sac State campus cops yanked M65 vaulter Joe Johnston from the track at worlds Saturday after he tried to practice in the morning, according to postings on Becca Gillespy’s message board. The Competition Manual said afternoon practice was OK, but Joe pushed the envelope. An argument with meet honcho Alan Bell of Britain led to […]
July 11, 2011
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Sacto CBS affiliate wins gold for most asinine coverage of worlds
With close to 4,900 entrants from 90-plus countries, Sacramento worlds has thousands of compelling stories. So what does the morning CBS-TV show cover the meet? It stages a relay race of guys carrying life-sized cutouts of Kate and William circling the track at 7:45 a.m. Saturday. With hurdles in the background, LOC spokesman Bob Burns […]
July 10, 2011
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Willie Gault highlights day of speed at Sacto world championships
When a 50-year-old man runs the fastest 100-meter dash at the world masters meet — faster than M35, M40 and M45 — you know you’ve seen something historic. So it was as Willie Gault won the M50 title with a 10.96 into a 0.5 wind Saturday at Sacramento State. Willie’s first world masters gold was […]
July 10, 2011
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Americans go 1-2 in W55 javelin at Sacramento world masters meet
Our friend Linda Cohn edged fellow Yank Monica Kendall in the W55 javelin to defend her Lahti world title of 2009. In Finland, she threw 38.12 meters (125-1). Today she threw 37.97 (124-7) in near-stifling heat (high 90s) at Sacramento State University. Silver medalist Monica, the W50 American record holder, was about a foot behind […]
July 8, 2011
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Ralph Maxwell adds to legend with world records in M90 decathlon
Ralph Maxwell started Day 2 of the decathlon at Sacto worlds by lowering his own world record in the 80-meter hurdles to 21.62 (from 21.74). Then he upped his American record in the pole vault from 1.12 to 1.40. And with two events left, he still exceeded the world age-group record in the decathlon — […]
July 7, 2011
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Special guest coming to Sacto worlds: masters founder David Pain
If you attended Spokane masters nationals in 2008, you were treated to the presence of David Pain, literally the founder of masters track in America and the prime mover worldwide. He’s had medical issues for years, including two bouts of pneumonia in the past couple years. But nothing can keep him from attending his beloved […]
July 7, 2011
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Let the worlds begin! And best wishes from Dr. Stephen Peters
With opening ceremonies last night and the first day of hep and dec today, Sacramento worlds has begun. Results are being posted at all four venues. See the overview here. Dr. Stephen Peters, the British sprint star at worlds for decades, won’t be in them, sadly. He writes to share his well wishes for his […]
July 6, 2011
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Lots to chew on: WMA General Assembly handbook now available
Masters Mole No. 3225b sent me the rootin-tootin’ General Assembly handbook for Sacramento worlds, which includes eye-opening council reports and an audit of WMA finances (saying the council traveled too much in 2010 and lost $91,000). See it here. Lots to discuss, including WMA plans to hold the world outdoor track meet in 2016 as […]
July 3, 2011
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Frank Struna still talking about M70 world record TJ at Sacramento
More than a year ago, we noted a Montana jumper named Frank Struna, who told his local paper: “I want to get that world championship and a world record.” Now 70, he’s still talking up his chances, according to the Missoulian, which said: “Starting this week he’ll shoot for the ultimate at the World Masters […]
July 3, 2011
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Mystery solved: Bill Collins diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome
Bill Collins had symptoms at Sacramento nationals last year and was hospitalized this year. Now we know why. Doctors have diagnosed Bill, our superstar sprinter, with Guillain-Barre syndrome, according to a note sent by his wife, Stephanie. She wrote some friends: “Bill has been sick and has been hospitalized, but he’s doing much better now. […]
July 2, 2011
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