Sonja Friend-Uhl takes 3K at Eugene; look for a record in 2016

Sonja and her well-earned gold in Eugene.

Sonja and her well-earned gold.

Sonja Friend-Uhl won the women’s exhibition 3,000 meters Saturday morning at the USA open nationals in Eugene, Oregon. Her time of 9:48.16 was short of Carmen Troncoso’s W40 American record 9:27.45. but Sonja turns 45 in March and is a good bet to challenge the listed AR of 9:57.27 by Monica Joyce in 2004. (The listed W45 WR is 9:17.27 by freak-of-nature Yekatarina Podkopayeva.). In eighth was Lesley Chaplin, whose 11:45.05 at age 57 also was notable. The masters men’s exhibition, also a 3000, is Sunday, and the field is very deep. Down in SoCal, Kathy Bergen blasted a 34.32 to claim the W75 American record in the 200 (beating Irene Obera’s 34.82 at 2011 Sacramento worlds). Kathy also had near misses at 1.23 meters (4-0 1/2) in the high jump, hoping to raise her own world record. In the men’s HJ at the Chuck McMahon meet in San Marcos, 6-foot jumpers Pete Hlavin and Willie Banks both went 1.70 (5-7) but had a jumpoff to determine the M55 winner. Both missed fourth attempts at 1.75 (5-8 3/4) before Pete won at 1.70. (Willie turns 60 in March.) Mitchell Zarders, 56, also went 1.70. Photos and video to come.

Our classy field at Hayward Field (Photos via Sonja's Facebook page)

Our classy field at Hayward Field. (Photos via Sonja’s Facebook page)

Here are the women’s results:

1 Sonja Friend-Uhl Atlanta TC 9:48.16
2 Grace Padilla SoCal Roadrunner 10:22.08
3 Andi Camp Oiselle 10:52.49
4 Chris Gentile The Janes El 11:10.88
5 Jenniffer Patenge SoCal TC 11:24.92
6 Jennifer Hegarrty New Balance/Bost 11:31.91
7 Jill Vollweiler SoCal TC 11:41.42
8 Lesley Chaplin Atlanta TC 11:45.05
9 Susan Stine-Melgares Body First TC 12:10.19

On Hayward Field medal stands, Sonja with Grace Padilla (left) and Andi Camp.

On Hayward Field medal stands, Sonja with Grace Padilla (left) and Andi Camp.

Here is the men’s field Sunday morning at Hayward Field:

Ahrlin Bauman Bowerman T C
Oscarr Bauman Bowerman T C
Mike Blackmore Unattached
Kristian Blaich Atlanta TC
Peter Brady Central Park T C
Francis Burdett Greaterr Springf
Lance Elliot Run MN
John Gardiner Cal Coast TC
Joshua Gordon Bowerman T C
George Hanson Unattached
Michael Lynes Club Northwest
Sean Nyhan Town TC
Theodore Towse Nashville Harrie
Mark Williams Garmin Runners

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June 27, 2015

5 Responses

  1. Ken Stone - June 27, 2015

    Here is video of Sonja’s race: http://www.usatf.tv/gprofile.php?mgroup_id=45365&do=videos&video_id=150329

  2. Tom Hinz - June 27, 2015

    Ken,
    Please note that there were 9 competitors in the women’s 3K.
    Susan Stine-Mellgares was also in the race.

  3. Ken Stone - June 28, 2015

    Thanks for the reminder, Tom! My copy-paste messed up. I’ve restored Susan’s results.

  4. Matt B. - June 28, 2015

    Speaking of records: new world records in 800 and 1500, breaking Nolan’s records.
    2:06/4:23

  5. Matt B. - June 28, 2015

    http://www.mastersrankings.com/indresults.php?season=Outdoor&year=2015&nameno=1620260638150618JOSEDOSREMEDIOSRSANT

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