Olympian Harold ‘Hal’ Connolly, hammer legend, dies at age 79
Hal Connolly
Former world record holder Hal Connolly took third in the M40 hammer at the first masters worlds in Toronto, back in 1975.
Scribe discovers that injured athletes don’t like to change sports
Gina Kolata
Eurovets claim 15 world records at their Hungary championships
Andrea Benatti reports on the Italian track site Web Atletica that 15 world age-group records were set at the European Veterans Athletics Championships last month in NyÃreygháza, Hungary. See the list. But aside from reporting that nobody failed a drug test, the official Eurovets website has little to say about these amazing results. No summary of records, for example. “Do you know what’s frustrating?” writes Andrea. “That you play a European Championship and Masters, in fact, an event so important that no stays occasional track here and there on the net. The site of EVAA, the European Federation of Athletics Master is there to say that he has sufficiently the event, but from a technical standpoint there is very little. I would say nothing.” (That’s a rough translation.)
The Eurovets home page features this shot of tired photog Kurt Kaschke at its Hungary championships in July -- but no pictures of athletes.
Wally Dashiell dances away with two American records in Maryland
Wally Dashiell
Proof positive that Dave and Trish tied the knot: the wedding video!
The minister called everyone close to the stage. Organ music started, playing “Here comes the bride.” And Dave Clingan escorted his gorgeous partner, Tricia Snell, to the front. Here’s my video of the ceremony. It was shot with a modest Flip video camera set on a cute little tripod about 6 inches high. Thankfully, the minister didn’t step in front of it when young Lucas sang John Lennon’s “Love is real.”
Love is real: Dave Clingan weds before hundreds of friends
Dave Clingan, my partner in crime, found a new partner for life last night. He married Tricia Snell. Nearly 200 friends and family members celebrated their marriage with hoots, cheers and flash photos galore. Masters running buddies Rich Burns and Pete Magill also attended, and Bill Donahue of Portland, the freelance writer who brought Tricia and Dave together, treated the revelers to a reading of their introductory email exchange. A touching tune played on guitar and sung by Lucas, Tricia’s high-school son, thrilled everyone. He gave an amazing rendition of “Love is real,” written by John Lennon. The potluck meal and informal setting at Staver Locomotive (home to a scale-model railroad and catering business) was perfect for Tricia and Dave, who had both been married before. Dave’s son George, headed off to the College of Puget Sound this fall, also was present. This morning, Dave and Tricia head off for a week’s cruise in Alaska, where their love will melt the glaciers. Congrats, my friends. You won the biggest race yet.
Tricia and Dave joyfully approached the podium in Portland to recite their vows. (Photo by Ken Stone)
There outta be a law? Pitch some to USATF for annual meeting
Jimmy Stuart of the USATF Officials Universe writes: “2010 is a Rule Change Year for USATF. If you would like to submit a rule change, now is the time to do so. The format and instructions for submitting a rule change are outlined in Article 21-E of the USATF Bylaws and are included below for your convenience. As is mentioned below, when submitting a rule change your proposal must have the recommendation of someone other than yourself that’s listed in Article 21.” So if you think masters deserve four tries at each height in the high jump or three false starts per sprinter, now’s the time to chime in. Seriously, what here needs changing for masters?
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SoCal TC issues press release to boast of Sacramento title
I wasn’t going to mention the club champion from Sacramento nationals, but I couldn’t resist riffing on this curiosity: SoCal Track Club just sent a press release to announce its latest outdoor title. Check out this version. It starts: “MISSION VIEJO, Calif., Aug. 11 /PRNewswire/ — The SoCal Track Club won the USA Masters Track & Field Championships in Sacramento July 22nd -25th (held at Sacramento State University).This was the third straight year in a row that SoCal Track Club took the National Team honors.” This is silly. (Do the Lakers issue a press release when they win NBA Finals?) It’s also unnecessary. USATF lists team scores.
Aussie masters track site offers folks a piece of the blogging pie
Geoff Bramley
Neni Lewis leads heavy assault on records at Lisle throws nationals
At least three world records and 10 additional American records were set over the weekend at the USATF Masters Throws Championships in Lisle, Illinois — site of our 2012 masters outdoor nationals. Neni Lewis, whose W50 hammer records this season are now legend, placed herself squarely in contention for USATF Masters Athlete of the Year with her world record in the throws pentathlon of 4800 points, beating the listed WR of 4763 by Carol Finsrud in 2007, who took second at the meet. Neni also notched a WR in the weight throw of 17.44 (57-2 1/2). Ed Burke continued his assault on the M70 hammer with a WR of 59.04 meters (193-7). Results are here.
Myrle Mensey (front), Roz Katz (left) and W95 Betty Jarvis were among the ladies over 60 at Lisle. Others were Georgia Cutler, Carol Young and Gloria Krug.
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