Roald Bradstock reaches 245-2 in javelin at age 49, eyes Trials
Roald at 2008 U.S. Trials
Any Seattle-area masters athletes have shot at world/national titles?
Yesterday I got email from a Seattle newspaper writer: “I’m interested in writing about masters athletes and came across your name in that great New York Times story last year. I’m wondering if you might be able to direct me to some athletes in the Seattle area who might make good stories. I see that the National games are coming up in July. Has anyone from around here got a chance?” I supplied these names: Mike Waller, Martha Mendenhall, Dave Ortman and Tony Young. But I’m sure I’m missing some. Don’t be shy. If you want me to funnel your name to the writer, give me a holler.
Martha won the W50 Lahti high jump title (just for my camera's benefit).
Look for Kiwi named Hanson in M70 hurdles at Sacramento worlds
I’ve just met Peter Hanson — through the Interwebs. He’s a 74-year-old hurdler in New Zealand prepping for Sacramento worlds. Story is here. Gotta love this guy: He trains by running 10Ks. Of course, he’s a steepler, too. But he’s entered in the 300-meter hurdles (with a submitted mark of 1 minute even). Won’t be a medal contender, but check out the PVC hurdles he trains with. Lovely video of the gent as well.
Peter Hanson has some work to do on form, but his attitude is world-class.
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West Region Masters championships returning to one-day meet
At yesterday’s Southern California Association masters championships, meet director Mark Cleary had a dilemma: Buy pizza for the USATF officials or print out entry fliers for the June 11 USATF West Region Masters meet. Mark went for pizza. (Cost issue, he says.) The SCA meet, contested at Long Beach City College (with throwing events at Long Beach State University), was sparsely attended, but Mike Sullivan drove 8 hours from his home in Arizona to pull off another great 100-200-400 triple. See results here. And Nolan Shaheed battled stiff winds in low 60s temps to clock a mile in 5:06.01 at age 61. Not an American record, but an amazing solo effort. And, of course, I was the star of the show with my jaw-dropping fourth-place finishes in the 100 and 200 (season best 29.03 with a heavy crosswind on home stretch.) I took a few pictures.
John Dobroth still has the best Brumel form in masters. His 1.55 jump at recent Striders meet is the top M65 mark in the nation. In January, he retired as a Ventura County judge after 24 years on the bench. Time for more track!
Monica Kendall smashes W55 American record in shot with 42-11
Monica with jav in 2006.
Hayward Masters Classic reveals Waller as new M50 long hurdler
Oh no. Mike Waller is a hurdler now! The M50 sprint superchamp at 2009 Oshkosh nationals ran the 400-meter hurdles yesterday at the Hayward Masters Classic in Eugene, clocking a respectable 63.2 after winning the 100 in 12.10 — into a wind. (He’s wearing white in the video.) He appears to be making progress in this tragic year. He lost his wife, Vanessa, in February. She would be so proud of him now, tackling the hardest event in track and field. (At least I am.) Other notable marks include W50 Liz Palmer’s 13.40 in the 100 and 12.70 in the 80-meter hurdles. And 91-year-old Ralph Maxwell entered everything from the hurdles (21.76) to the 100 (20.73) to the 1500 (12:20) and jumps, including pole vault. His 80-meter hurdle time was 0.02 second off his world record from Sacramento nationals. The man is hot! Any great marks I missed?
Jeff Laynes pulls a Willie, betters American records in 100 and 200
Jeff Laynes
Willie Gault named USATF Athlete of the Week for 1/2 WRs in M50
How did I miss this? (Too busy with work, I guess.) Willie Gault’s M50 world records in the 100 and 200 at Oxy last weekend brought him Indy recognition: USATF Athlete of the Week. What’s the matter with the kidlets? Can’t they bring it anymore? In any case, Willie reveals he set the 200-meter WR out of lane 1, making his 22.44 mark even more amazing. What really needs to happen is Sacramento LOC and fellow M50s making a serious appeal for Willie to enter worlds. He could supercharge the 4×1 relay.
USATF dug up some great shots of Willie in action. Can he really be 50?
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Stroke slows M90 record holder Orville Rogers — but not his wit
Orville in USA Today
Magdalene Kuehne claims W80 American record in the triple jump
Results of the Southern California Striders Meet of Champions at Cerritos College are now posted here. And besides the amazing 4:24 world record 1500 by Nolan Shaheed, we also note the American record W80 triple jump of 5.68 meters (18-7 1/2) by Striders member Magdalene Kuehne, who also won the 100, long jump, discus and shot. The listed W80 record was 5.12 (16-9¾) by Johnnye Valien in 2005. Other notable marks April 30 were the 11.62/23.61/51.73 triple by M50 Mike Sullivan and the 12.03 by M55 Damien Leake. In the hurdles, Thad Wilson marked himself as an M60 favorite at worlds with 100/300 marks of 15.52 and 46.53. And Olympic Trials veteran Clare Look-Jaeger cleared 1.60 meters (5-3) in the high jump at age 44.
Thad Wilson leads Steve Cummings in the 100-meter hurdles at Striders.
