Indianapolis — The 2023 USATF Masters Indoor Championships are set to be held Friday, March 10 through Sunday, March 12 at the Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center in Louisville’s Russell neighborhood. Over 1000 athletes ages 25-100 are entered to compete at the state-of-the-art facility. Home to one of the fastest tracks in the U.S., competition is shaping up to be fierce as entrants include 20 world Masters record holders, 52 American record holders, and a pair of Olympians.
Three-time Olympic race walker Michelle Rohl, 57, (1992, 1996, and 2000) and James Barrineau, 67, who was an Olympic finalist in the high jump in 1976 and a qualifier in 1980, are among the most notable names entered.
With five entrants over 90, the oldest athlete entered in the Championships is 100-year-old Roy Englert, entered in the 400, 800, and 1500.
The M70 60m is among the most intriguing events on the schedule, with former world masters champion Oscar Peyton, actor Damien Leake and Louisville’s own Tim Jenkins. Peyton was a double sprint winner at the 2011 World Masters Championships, while Leake holds the American M65-69 record for 100m. He has appeared in many movies and TV shows, including Apocalypse Now and Tyler Perry’s Assisted Living. Jenkins has overcome abuse, addiction, and homelessness to become an inspiring and competitive national masters athlete and was a 100m finalist at last year’s outdoor championships.
Over 150 USATF Registered Clubs are represented, which foretells a hard-fought battle for the top three team trophies, for men’s, women’s, and the overall win based on team scoring.
LOUISVILLE COMMUNITY
To give back to the local communities who give so much to us each spring and summer, USATF Masters is partnering with two local charities: A Place to Sleep, which provides beds for children who do not have one, and Home of the Innocents which provides residential care for children who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned. New bedding supplies (pillows, pillowcases, sheets, blankets, and comforters primarily twin-sized and toddler/crib sized) will be collected for A Place to Sleep and necessary personal care items for Home of the Innocents at the Executive Committee table. The items will be donated to the organizations at the end of the meet. There will also be a jar for cash donations and checks as well.
World Masters Record Holders Competing
INDOOR
Charles Allie, M75 – 200m, 400m
Paul Babits, M62 – Pole Vault
Kathy Bergen, W83 – 60m, 200m, High Jump
Inocencio Cantu, M89 – Mile
Lesley Hinz, W64 – Mile
Oneithea Lewis, W62 – Weight Throw
Kathryn Martin, W71 – 800m, 1500m, Mile, 3000m
Bruce McBarnette, M65 – High Jump
Florence Meiler, W88 – 60mH, HJ, Pole Vault, Pentathlon
Myrle Mensey, W74 – Weight Throw
Antonio Palacios, M56 – Long Jump
Arthur Parry, M76 – Pole Vault
Gary Patton, M77 – Mile
Oscar Payton, M70 – 60m
Derek Pye, M55 – 60mH
Nolan Shaheed, M73 – Mile
OUTDOOR
Kathy Bergen, W83 – 100m, 200m, High Jump
Kenton Brown, M78 – 100m
Carol Finsrud, W66 – Discus, Throws Pentathlon
Gary Hunter, M67 – Pole Vault
Damien Leake, M70 – 100m
Oneithea Lewis, W62 – Hammer Throw, Weight Throw, Throws Pentathlon
Kathryn Martin, W71 – 1500m, 3000m, 5000m, 2000m, Steeplechase
Florence Meiler, W88 – 80mH, Pole Vault, Pentathlon
Nolan Shaheed, M73 – 800m, 1500m
More information, including a list of entries, can be found here.
Media are welcome to apply for a credential via USATF.org/media-center by 11:59 p.m. ET on March 8.
Join the conversation with USATF on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook using the hashtag #USATF.
