NATIONAL MASTERS INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS
March 26-28, 2004; Host USATF-NE
Boston/Roxbury, MA, Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center
Selected Media Coverage
FOX TV NEWS
Saturday, March 27, 10:45 P.M.
(Transcript of Broadcast)
Anchor Dan Jaehnig:
An elite group of athletes from 30 to 100 show how to stay fit (shows clip of meet) at the National Masters Track and Field Championships in Boston. Coming Up next…
(Commercial…)
Anchor Jaehnig:
Well, we all know the expression that you’re only as young as you feel. (Show clips of sprints at the meet)
Anchor Bianca Delagarza:
And that definitely rings true for a group of athletes competing in a national track and field event right here in Boston today. Fox 25’s Rob Nikoleski here now to tell us more about it.
Correspondent Rob Nikoleski:
Retirement? The athletes we met today don’t know the meaning of that word. Some 800 athletes taking part in the National Masters Track and Field Championships at the Reggie Lewis Center today and the age range, 30 years old all the way up to 87. Some former Olympians, track and field champions, even former pro athletes from all over the country (shows pan shot of the track and close ups of ongoing sprints including starter and racers from both ends of track, and as sprinters start, finish, and gather at end after finishing).
There’s Todd Christiansen. Remember him? He used to play tight end for the Raiders. He competed in the shot put (show Christiansen competing).
All of the participants are showing they still have it. (Shows several groups of athletes and organizers/officials).
But athletes like Champion Goldy stole the show. He’s been taking part in this event for 17 of his 25 years and he’s 87 years old (shows Goldie winning 60 yard dash).
Rev. Champion Goldy (interviewed at trackside):
I ‘ve been doing this since I’ve been seventy years old. I’ve won about 200, 250 Gold Medals; I work hard and do five events. I do the 100, the 200, the shot put, discus, and javelin.
Todd Christensen (interviewed relaxing in stands before his events):
I’m impressed by the fact that it seems to me that you would think that at a certain age your competitiveness ends but it really doesn’t. And I think that you have to admire the participants here that travel from all over to come here and get the opportunity to excel because in truth, not a lot of people are going to go home with medals. But they appreciate the experience.
Nikoleski:
One notable local athlete competing today, Steve Sergeant of Charlestown. He was a 1988 Olympics qualifier in the 1500 and a New England collegiate champion at Northeastern University.
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THE BOSTON HERALD
Monday, March 29, 2004
CANADIAN POSTS
MIRACULOUS MILE
By Joe Reardon/
Track Notebook
There was probably no buzz louder at this past weekend's National Masters Indoor Track Championships than that surrounding the ease with which Canada's Earl Fee demolished the 75-79 age group's mile mark in a staggering 5:41.3.
Fee's decisive 2:32.47 victory in yesterday's 800 at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center was no less impressive for the Mississauga, Ontario resident.
``I like feeling fit and young,'' he said. ``I feel like a 30 year old. I didn't run for about 32 years. I took a rest and then started running with my boys. When they stopped, I just kept going.''
Fee takes a simple approach to his training and does workouts he enjoys. Tuesdays and Thursdays are reserved for interval workouts on the track and he runs long and medium long on Tuesday and Thursday, respectively. Interestingly enough, Fee's favorite workout consists of 45 minutes of pool running on Mondays. Running in the water offers plenty of resistance without the relentless pounding of the legs. Friday is Fee's lone off day and Saturday entails a 400 or 800 time trial or a short race.
Fee avoids the cold, Canadian winters entirely.
``It's pretty cold and slippery, which makes it really tough to run,'' Fee said. ``All my training is done indoors during the winter time.''
This summer, Fee will be concentrating on breaking the world marks in the 400, 800, and 100-meter hurdles. As for how long he'll be competing, Fee is giving the sport another 20 years.
``I'll keep going until I'm 95,'' he said with a smile.
Howard still on run
Sid Howard has no intention of slowing down any time soon either. The 65-year-old Howard has been on a tear of late, breaking American age-group records in the 800-meter run (2:19.4), 1,500 meters (4:56.36) and the mile (5:23.1).
The soft-spoken Plainfield, N.J., resident's 60-year-old mark of 2:12.71 in the 800 is still the fastest ever run.
Howard is still on a high from the recent World Masters Indoor Track Championships in Sindlefingen, Germany. Racing against some of the best Master athletes in the world, Howard used his deadly kick to take home the gold medal in the 800 and 1,500.
``The Lord blessed me with this gift and I'm sharing my gratitude,'' Howard said matter of factly. ``I hope when they call for all the guys 100 and over to the starting line, I'll be one of those guys.''
Howard wasn't about to share first place on the Reggie Lewis track. Racing in the 65-69 800, Howard got off to a strong start and was never challenged as he crossed the line in 2:23.79, nearly three seconds ahead of Mack Stewart of Katy, Texas (2:26.36).
Howard plans to rest up over the next few weeks and focus on August, when he'll be competing at the nationals in Decatur, Ill., and the North American Championships in Puerto Rico.
Howard hopes his achievements on the track inspire both his peers and younger athletes. ``If anybody can see me and take a benefit from anything I've achieved, that's important to me,'' he said.
Martin wins 800
Middle-distance aces Catherine Stone-Borkowski of Ringwood, N.J., and Kathy Martin of Northport, N.Y., wrapped up phenomenal weekends on the track as both captured wins in the 800.
Stone-Borkowski used her dominant kick over the final 200 meters for a 2:25.26 win in the 40-44 division. The win was her second after copping the gold in Saturday's mile.
Martin showed no ill effects from her American-record win in Friday night's 3,000-meter run and Saturday's mile victory in the 50-54 age group by falling just one second short of the world record with a 2:28.07.
``I felt strong,'' said Martin. ``I just miscalculated the first lap. I was going for the world record and I just missed it.''
Said Stone-Borkowski, ``I was hoping someone would take it out. I didn't go for time today, just the win.''
Steve Sergeant of Charlestown ran away from the field in the 800 in 2:00.77 and Boston's Everad Samuels won the 45-49 200-meter dash in 22.88.
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THE BOSTON SUNDAY HERALD
Sunday, March 28, 2004
RUNAWAY VICTORY:
Champion rolls on in mile
By Joe Reardon/
Notebook
Sunday, March 28, 2004
Defending 800-meter champion Catherine Stone-Borkowski of Ringwood, N.J., warmed up for today's 40-44-year-old group race by using her blazing kick to take the mile in 5:18.85 yesterday at the National Masters Indoor Championships at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center.
The former University of Arkansas All-American defeated runner-up Mary Beth Evans of Scarsdale, N.Y., by almost seven seconds.
Stone-Borkowski, a national body-building champion, took a 10-year hiatus from track to concentrate on bodybuilding and only recently returned to the oval, toned and 20 pounds heavier.
``I took the time and completely changed the look of my body,'' said Stone-Borkowski. ``I used to be really thin. I feel a lot stronger now. It helps me a lot.''
Stone-Borkowski captured the cross-country nationals in the 40-44 division last fall in Holmdel, N.J.
``I was really surprised,'' said Stone-Borkowski. ``I had only run one cross-country race prior to that in 20 years.''
Despite her uncontested win in the mile, Stone-Borkowski wasn't totally pleased. She hoped to conserve a little more energy for the 800 race. ``Unfortunately, I kicked harder than I wanted but I'll be all right for tomorrow,'' she said.
Stone-Borkowski hasn't ruled out a run at her personal best time she accomplished during her college years. She has recently run 2:19. Today, though, she'll be going for the win.
``My best was 2:13 and I don't think that's out of my range,'' Stone-Borkowski said. ``We'll just see what this race holds. I really want to win here and worry about time later.''
Not enough jump
Eight-time national champion and two-time world champion in the 45-49 high jump, Bruce McBarnette of Sterling, Va., failed to better his age-group world record of 6-foot-4. He still came away with the win in an impressive 6-2. McBarnette, 46, attempted to better his mark with attempts at 6-4, but came up short.
``I was hoping to break my world record today,'' McBarnette said. ``But the only way I was going to jump higher than 6-2 today was to break the world record.'' . . .
Former Northeastern University standout Steve Sergeant of Charlestown held a 35-yard lead in the mile before taking a strong second (4:29.35) to Jeff Mann of Reno, Nev., (4:27.92).
Earl Fee, 75, of Mississauga, Ontario, set a world age-group record in the mile in 5:41.95.
Newton North assistant track coach Jon Waldron finished second in the 45-49 mile in a time of 4:34.96.
Next year's meet will be at the Jacksons Track at The Idaho facility in Napa, Idaho, before returning to Boston for the 2006 meet.
Legs hold out
After racing to an American record win Friday night in the 50-54 division of the 3,000-meter run (10:23.84), 52-year-old Kathy Martin of Northport, N.Y., bided her time in the mile before taking off with a 35.1 over the final 200 meters for an easy 5:24.03 win yesterday.
Martin was an overwhelming favorite to defend her title, especially after setting the world 50-54 age-group record in the mile at 5:13.9 at The Armory track in New York City last week.
Martin, who will be competing in today's 800-meter run, expected to feel a little sluggish.
``I ran the 3,000 yesterday so my legs were a little flat today,'' she said. ``It was a tough field. I just said legs don't fail me now.''
There was one scary moment with 2 laps to go when Martin was accidentally tripped up from behind and nearly fell. She regained her balance in a hurry and had plenty left for her kick over the last 200 meters.
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THE BOSTON SUNDAY HERALD
Sunday, March 28, 2004
CHRISTENSEN TAKES A SHOT
ON THE TRACK
By Joe Reardon
(PHOTO: Heave-Ho: Former NFL star Todd Christensen throws the shot put during his second-place finish yesterday at the National Masters Indoor Championships in Boston. Staff Photo by David Goldman)
Todd Christensen is spending more time soaring over hurdles and heaving the shot put than working on his golf game these days. The five-time Pro Bowl tight end for the Oakland raiders competed in his first track meet of the year yesterday, finishing a strong second in the 45-49 shot put division with a 42-foot, 9 ¾-inch toss at the National Masters Indoor Championships.
The 46-year-old Christensen took up track and field two years ago when a coach suggested he give it a try after watching him work out.
"I was doing sprints and plyrometrics and working on my flexibility at the time," said Christensen, who averaged a gaudy 12.7 yards per catch with 461 receptions and 5,872 yards during his NFL career.
Christensen wasn’t far off his personal best of 47 feet with his runner-up showing at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center. He competed in just two meets last year but is hoping to be a more familiar sight on the starting line and in the shot put circle this year.
"My first year, I competed in quite a few meets," he said.
He said track is a drastically different sport than football, arguably the ultimate team sport. "It’s tougher," Christensen said. "You have to be very self-motivated. In an individual sport, the training is more taxing. One of the great things about football is that if you’re having an off day, you have teammates to pick things up. In track, if you fail, you fail on your own."
Christensen still follows the NFL and was quite impressed with the Patriots’ Super Bowl wins over the Rams and Panthers.
"That’s very impressive," he said. "Two championships in three years in this age of parity is something you just don’t see. Kudos to (Scott) Pioli and (Bill) Belichick."
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March 31, 2004
FEATURE STORY
National Masters Meet Includes
Former NFL All Star, Body Builder, And More
by Bob Weiner, National Masters Track Media
Chair
75 year-old Earl Fee of Mississauga, Ontario epitomized the fire and spirit of last weekend's National Masters Indoor Track and Field Championships in Boston. With a smile and yet a determined fire in his eyes in his last lap of the eight, he blazed a 5:41.3 new world mile record for 75+. The crowd of 1000 competitors, spouses, and meet officials roared approval and support during and right after his effort. It was only one of three world records he set at the meet, including the 400 (66.28) and 800 (2:32.47).
USATF-New England President Gary Snyder, whose group hosted this meet as well as the US Open Championships two weeks earlier, both at the world-class Reggie Lewis Track, said, "This meet is the best. To see people 30 to 90 compete is inspirational."
Everyone was particularly inspired when track-stopping former national female body building champion Catherine Stone-Borkowski, 42 years old from Ringwood, NJ, won not one but two national championships here, with a strategically brilliant hold-for-the-end sprint in the mile (5:18.85) and a going-away victory in the 800 (2:25.26).
Kathy Martin, of Northport, NY, 52, tripled with wins in the 3000 (10:23.84), mile (5:24.03), and 800 (2:28.07) -- breaking the American 3000 age record and missing a world 800 record by one second. Her performances and her gracious charm showed why she was picked to star in Nike's TV ads.
Sid Howard, 65, of Plainfield, NJ appropriately owns and manages "Super-Fast Deliveries" (for furniture, household, and business items) when he is not running--but that isn't often. Back from winning double gold at the World Indoor Championships in Germany earlier this month, Sid repeated his wins here in the mile and 800, but did not need to best his recent American records of 5:23.1 and 2:19.4. All around the track, Howard is recognized as one of America's best ambassadors for the sport and mission of masters track with his enthusiasm and support for everyone involved from athletes to organizers.
Todd Christensen, 46, five-time Pro Bowl All-Star for the Oakland Raiders, participated in the meet for the first time and had a ball--taking two quite remarkable seconds in the shot put and hurdles and telling the Athletes' Meeting that "Very few will go home with medals but everyone wins by participating." Tom Gage, 60, of Billings, MT demolished the American super weight record by 10 feet with 74' 10 ½ ".
In all, 26 world and 42 American records were set during the three-day meet. But maybe the best part was riding the meet's shuttle buses from the hotel to the track and listening to the chatter: "In the '69 World's..." "In '88 in the Triple Jump..." "That first sub-four mile by Beatty at Millrose..."
Masters Track and Field is unique, memorable, and memory-borne.
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THE BOSTON SUNDAY GLOBE
Sunday, March 28, 2004
(Page Two, Sports:)
TODAY’S SCHEDULE
Track: National Masters Indoor Championships at Reggie Lewis Center, Boston, 9AM
(Also Page Two, Sports:)
SPORTS LOG
A pair of 90-year-olds, Max Springer of Knoxville, Tenn., and Leland McPhie of San Diego, combined to break three world records in the USA Masters Indoor Track and Field Championships at the Reggie Lewis Center. Springer's mark was in the long jump (3.15 meters) while McPhie's were in the high jump (1.05 meters) and shot put (6.71 meters).
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THE BOSTON HERALD
Saturday, March 27, 2004
SPORTS IN BRIEF
Cathy Martin (3000 meters) and Bob Ward (weight throw) set American records at the U.S. Masters Indoor Championships at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center. Lenore McDaniels set a world record in the pole vault at 5 feet, 10 ¾ inches.
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THE BOSTON GLOBE
Saturday, March 27, 2004
(Page Two, Sports:)
TODAY’S SCHEDULE
Track: National Masters Indoor Championships at Reggie Lewis Center, Boston, 9AM
Also, separately:
SCOREBOARD
Track
NATIONAL MASTERS INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Reggie Lewis Center
Distances in meters
3000
(Listed 5-year age group winners)
Pole Vault
(Listed 5-year age group winners)
Weight Throw
(Listed 5-year age group winners)
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THE SUN SENTINEL
March 25, 2004
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Track meet draws big names
By Sharon Robb, Sports Columnist
Former national champion Roberto Castillo and Henryk Kupczyk, both of Miami, Joseph DeMartini of Coral Springs and Jimmy Metayer of Coconut Creek will compete against the nation's best Friday through Sunday at the USA Masters Indoor Track and Field Championships in Boston.
The field of 800 features athletes from all walks of life, including
former Olympians and pro football players.
Five-time NFL Pro Bowl tight end Todd Christensen, world sailing champion Phil Byrne, Kathy Martin, who has been in Nike ads this past year, and Desmond Margetson, inventor of the inflatable tennis dome, will compete at the Reggie Lewis Center.
Last year the indoor championships had 14 world and 38 American records broken in five-year age groups from 35-39 to 85-89. The first timed final will be the 3,000 meters. The competition continues over the weekend with sprints, relays, distance races, racewalk, hurdles and field events.
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ASSOCIATED PRESS
Daybook
March 26, 27, and 28, 2004
Friday, March 26, 4:00 P.M. and Saturday-Sunday, March 27-27 10AM, U.S. Masters Track Indoor Championships Finals, Reggie Lewis Track, 1350 Tremont Street, Boston-Roxbury:
800 Competitors 30-100 years old including include Olympians, world track and field champions, 5-time NFL Pro Bowl All-Star Todd Christensen, Oakland Raiders; world sailing champion Phil Byrne, Charlestown MA; national female bodybuilding champion Catherine Stone-Borkowski, Ringwood NJ.
Contact: Bob Weiner 202-329-1700/202-361-0611.
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U.S. Masters Track Indoor Championships March 26-28 in Boston: Reggie Lewis Track, 1350 Tremont Street, Boston/Roxbury
3/23/2004 12:03:00 PM
To: Assignment Desk, Daybooks
Contact: Bob Weiner, 202-329-1700 or 202-361-0611
News Advisory:
-- 800 Competitors From 30 To 100 Include World Champions, Olympians, NFL 5-Time Pro-Bowl (Todd Christensen, Oakland Raiders), World Sailing Champ, National Female Bodybuilding Champ, Inflatable Dome Inventor, Nike Ad Star, Famed Nutritionist, Brother's Kidney Donor
Friday, March 26, 4 p.m. -- Finals begin with 3000 Meters; Saturday-Sunday, March 27-28, 10 a.m. -- Finals continue
Spectators Free, Media Welcome for Coverage & Interviews
Many of the world's best ever track and field athletes will be competing at the U.S.A. Track & Field Masters Indoor Championships in Boston Friday-Sunday, March 26-28.
On Friday, March 26 at 4 p.m., the 3000 Meters is the opening final at the three-day meet at Reggie Lewis Track, 1350 Tremont Street, Boston/Roxbury. Finals continue Saturday and Sunday, March 27 and 28 at 10 a.m., including sprints, middle distances, field events, and relays. Spectators are free and welcome.
800 competitors from 30 to 100 include Olympians, world track and field champions, a 5-time NFL pro bowl all-star (Todd Christensen, Oakland Raiders), a world sailing champ, a national female bodybuilding champ, the inflatable dome inventor, a Nike ad star, a famed nutritionist, a kidney donor to her brother.
"Athletes from across the USA will compete in the meet," said Steve Vaitones, meet director and managing director of the USA Track & Field-New England, hosting the meet. "The track is recognized as lightning-fast and top quality, conducive to world and national records." Co-director Phil Byrne added, "This meet and masters running sends a message of competitive fitness for an entire lifetime."
At last year's meet, 14 world records and 38 American records were broken, and this year should have similar caliber.
NOTE: Media are invited for coverage and athlete interviews. For more information or interviews, please call Bob Weiner at 202- 329-1700 or 202-361-0611, or locate Bob trackside. Media credentials are required. More schedule information, participant list, and meet specifics are available on Web at: http://www.usatfne.org/masters/boston2004/
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/© 2004 U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770
A division of 
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(Press Release:)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MARCH 26, 2004
Contact: Bob Weiner (National Masters Media Chair) or Jeff Buchanan Tel. 301-283-0821/ 202-329-1700
U.S. MASTERS TRACK INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS MARCH 26-28 IN BOSTON:
REGGIE LEWIS TRACK, 1350 TREMONT STREET, BOSTON/ROXBURY
800 COMPETITORS FROM 30 TO 100 INCLUDE WORLD CHAMPIONS, OLYMPIANS, NFL 5-TIME PRO-BOWL (Todd Christensen, Oakland Raiders), WORLD SAILING CHAMP, NATIONAL FEMALE BODYBUILDING CHAMP, INFLATABLE DOME INVENTOR, NIKE AD STAR, FAMED NUTRITIONIST, BROTHER’S KIDNEY DONOR
FRI., March 26, 4:00 PM Finals Begin with 3000 Meters;
SAT.-SUN., March 27-28,10:00 AM Finals Continue
SPECTATORS FREE, MEDIA WELCOME FOR COVERAGE&INTERVIEWS
(Boston, MA) Many of the world’s best ever track and field athletes will be competing at the U.S.A. Track & Field Masters Indoor Championships in Boston Friday-Sunday, March 26-28.
On Friday, March 26 at 4PM, the 3000 Meters is the opening final at the three-day meet at Reggie Lewis Track, 1350 Tremont Street, Boston/Roxbury. Finals continue Saturday and Sunday, March 27 and 28 at 10:00 AM, including sprints, middle distances, field events, and relays. Spectators are free and welcome.
800 COMPETITORS FROM 30 TO 100 INCLUDE OLYMPIANS, WORLD TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONS, A 5-TIME NFL PRO BOWL ALL-STAR (Todd Christensen, Oakland Raiders), A WORLD SAILING CHAMP (Phil Byrne, Charlestown MA), A NATIONAL FEMALE BODYBUILDING CHAMP (Catherine Stone-Borkowski, Ringwood NJ), THE INFLATABLE DOME INVENTOR (Desmond Margetson, New York City), A NIKE AD STAR (Kathy Martin, Northport, NY), A FAMED NUTRITIONIST (Gary Null, NYC), A KIDNEY DONOR TO HER BROTHER (Marianne Torrellas, Clinton, CT).
"Athletes from across the USA will compete in the meet," said Steve Vaitones, Meet Director and managing director of the USA Track & Field-New England, hosting the meet. "The track is recognized as lightning-fast and top quality, conducive to world and national records." Co-Director Phil Byrne added, "This meet and masters running sends a message of competitive fitness for an entire lifetime."
At last year’s meet, 14 world records and 38 American records were broken, and this year should have similar caliber.
*** NOTE: Media are invited for coverage and athlete interviews. For more information or interviews, please call Bob Weiner at 301-283-0821 or cell 202-329-1700, or locate Bob trackside. Media credentials are required. More schedule information, participant list, and meet specifics are available on Web at: http://www.usatfne.org/masters/boston2004/
(Source: Robert Weiner Associates 301-283-0821 and USATF-NE)
*** SOME ATHLETES COMPETING IN 2004 NATIONAL MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIPS ***
Charles Allie – (Pittsburgh, PA) set world age mark in 400 of 52.24 in 2003 worlds outdoors. Amazingly won by almost three seconds against a world-class field that included defending world champion Roger Pierce (see below) who placed second. Unbelievable time for someone aged 55. Will try to sweep 60, 200, 400 sprints at Boston.
Phil Byrne – 63, lives in Charlestown, MA. Won world championship in decathlon (Brisbane 2001, and had highest score (7606 points) at worlds for all masters age groups. Rated #1 in the world for 2001. As an aside, was also part of two world championship sailing teams/programs on the maxi circuit in 1990 and 1992 -- interesting sports combination. Will compete here in shot put.
Alston Brown – (Mount Vernon, NY) Jamaican national, now 55, ran a WIR of 2:03.0 (hand) in 800 recently, crushing world mark. Entered in 200, 400, 800, mile.
Todd Christensen – (Alpine, UT) 5-Time Pro Bowler tight end for Oakland Raiders, 47. In the 60 dash, 60 hurdles, and shot.
Bill Collins – (Houston, TX) All world, 53. TCU All American, member of US national team. While entered in 60-200-400, recently injured at world championship and not certain.
Jeanne Daprano – (Fayetteville, GA) A recent electee to Masters Hall of Fame is running wild, will try to sweep 200-400-800-mile at Boston at age 67.
Karla Del Grande – (Toronto, Ontario) Sensational Canadian invader, 50, will try to sweep 60-200-400 sprints.
Don Denoon – (Claremont, CA) 3000 racewalker, 60, was standout as open competitor and is a standout as a master.
Earl Fee – (Mississauga, NM, Canadian citizen), best in world, turns 75 right before meet, may break a slew of records in 200-400-800-mile.
Thomas Gage – (Billings, MT) 1972 Olympian, Cornell grad, Hall of Fame for Masters, at 60 will try to sweep weight, shot, and super weight events.
Champion Goldy – (Haddonfield, NJ) 87-yr-old reverend is still very active in church. Holds M85 indoor marks in 60 and 200. Will compete in sprints (60 and 200) with Roderick Parker in battle of the high 80’s (see Parker, below). Also entered in shot.
Ed Gonera – (Bardowin, NY) Many-time national champ, 51, is one of our biggest sprinters (in size), entered in 200, 400, long jump.
Courtland Gray – (Monroe, LA) Just turned 60 and has bettered world 60 M hurdles record 3 times. Also entered in 60 dash.
Sid Howard -- (Plainfield, NJ) 65, Won two World Championships this month in Germany and favored here in 800 and mile.
Gary Hunter – (Fort Wayne, IN) This Hoosier is still pole-vaulting big heights at age 48.
Mel Larsen -- (Ames, IA) multiple national champion in sprints and LJ, here competing in 60, 200, 60H, and LJ.
Onithea Lewis – (Bayside, NY) Won the open shot at Millrose Games last year even though she is a masters (43) competitor. Entered here in shot, weight, and super weight.
Jeff Lindsay – (Tulsa, OK) 45, anesthesiologist, grad of Harvard Med School, will try to add the 800 title to his list of national golds.
Mitch Lovett – (Brooklyn, NY) 42, of NJ upset headliner Willie Gault in the M40 60m. He's a threat to triple since the 200 and 400 are his even stronger races.
Kathy Martin -- (Northport, NY) 52. You saw her in the Nike ads. Will be very tough to beat in this meet in middle distance events 800, mile, and 3000.
Desmond Margetson of New York, NY, M75. An inventor - among his inventions is the ubiquitous inflatable tennis dome, actually a spin-off from a military application 40+ years ago. Won age group World Masters X- Country Championships in Boston in 1992. Competes now in pentathlon and 3000m.
Bob Matteson, 85 (Bennington, VT), USATF Masters Track Athlete of the Year award winner (200, 400).
Bruce McBarnette, 46 (Sterling, VA) -- Eight-time national champion and two-time world champion in the 45-49 high jump is a TV and movie actor.
Marie-Louis Michelson – (Stony Brook, NY) late-bloomer, math professor at SUNY Stony Brook has broken all sorts of records (now 62) in middle distance and is entered in 200, 400, 800, mile, 3000.
Harold Nolan – (Navesinic, NJ) 57, who defeated Bill Rodgers in winning the 3000 meters last year and is a multiple national champion, will race 3000 and mile.
Gary Null – (New York, NY) nationally known nutritionist, 59, is an outstanding racewalker, entered in 3000 RW.
Roderick Parker – (Amity, AK) Retired dentist, 85, won both sprints at Gateshead Worlds (1999) and will lock horns with Champion Goldy (see above) in 60 and 200. Also entered in 400.
Emil Pawlik – (Jackson, MS) is by far the best combined events guy in the U.S. over the last 10 years, and is undefeated (except Brisbane in 2001 when he was 2nd to Byrne, above) in the pent, hep and dec. Won the world decathlon in '99 and '03, and will break all kinds of records this year, since he turned 65 in January. He should be in the Hall of Fame. Entered in 60 Dash, 200 dash, 60 hurdles, long jump, high jump, and pentathlon.
Roger Pierce of Essex, MA at age 59 is still running well (ran legs on three world record setting M50 -59 relay teams in the past year - 4 X 400, 4 X 200 and very recently sprint medley relay). Roger is also a world M55 champ (Brisbane 2001) and won silver in the M55 400 and two relay golds in Carolina, P.R. Worlds 2003. Entered in 60-200-400.
Aaron and Adrian Sampson, twins – (Salt Lake City, UT) long jumping twins sensation, 42. Aaron broke the 25’ barrier in Long Jump in 2002. Together they are world record holders for the longest jumping twins in the long jump with a combined distance of 50 feet 10.5 inches set in 1983. Also are the first twins to place first and second at the NAIA Championships (1983). PRs are: Aaron - 25'7.5", Adrian - 25'3".
Frank Schiro of NYC, M51, and Carroll Blake of Boston, M53, also ran legs on the above mentioned world record setting relay. Frank is running really well and could be a dark horse winner against Gonera in M400. Carroll is a 400, 800 runner who will place in one or both events.
Steve Sergeant – (Charlestown, MA) 1988 Olympic Trials qualifier in the 1500 meters. Ran a best of 3:41.87 in Dedham MA on June 13, 1987. A New England Collegiate Champion in the mile (4:03.15) in 1984 for Northeastern University.
Karl Smith – (Silver Spring, MD) 1984 Olympian (Jamaican team), 44, U. of Texas, ran 13.96 in 110 hurdles to win M40 in 2001 worlds.
Catherine Stone-Borkowski – (Ringwood, NJ) former All-American at Arkansas, 41, national bodybuilding champ (natural division) will try to defend track title in 800 and secure gold in mile – her two-sport national championship is unique.
Jim Stookey, 74, of Dickerson, Maryland, retired veterinarian, has won myriad national and world championships in record performances, in the 200 Meter Dash, 60 Meter Hurdles, Long Jump, Triple Jump, and High Jump
Robert Thomas – (Indianapolis, IN) 2-time All American at SW Michigan Community College has won a slew of golds at Boston and at 37 may win 3 more in 60-200-400-800.
Maryanne Torrellas – (Clinton, CT) former elite open walker donated a kidney to her brother but will still try to win gold here at 45 in 3000 RW.
Anna Wlodarczyk -- (Orange, CA) 1980 Olympian (Poland) finished 4th in LJ there. Will try to win at Boston at 53 in 60, long jump, triple jump. She is a coach at Chapman Coll. in Calif.
(For more information or interviews, please call Bob Weiner at 301-283-0821 or cell 202-329-1700, or locate Bob trackside.)
The Washington Times
Northern
Va. man keeps raising the bar
April 4, 2004 Section: SPORTS
WEEKEND
ATHLETE: RUNNING
Page:
C11
by Steve
Nearman, THE WASHINGTON TIMES
When
Bruce McBarnette takes his life to new heights, he is not kidding
around. His
passion is the high jump, and he is among world's elite in that
discipline.
The
46-year-old Sterling, Va., resident was somewhat disappointed that he
merely
won another gold medal at the U.S. Masters Indoor Track & Field
Championships last weekend in Boston. He really wanted to break his own
world
record of 6 feet 4 inches for his 45-49 age group.
"There
are things I am striving for," said McBarnette, who was the 2003 USA
Track
and Field Athlete of the Year for his age group. "As far as track, I
have
achieved as much as I can, short of being in the Olympics. I do it
because it
is fun. I like to compete. I like to do my best. I like to support the
other
athletes. At the same time, there is a personal challenge to do your
best that
day. It may not be the best you had 10 years ago."
McBarnette
needs some new incentives because just winning championships might be
getting
old. He earned his ninth masters championship gold on March 27 with a
jump of 6
feet 2 inches, adding to a trophy case that contains hardware from two
world
championships. His leap was half-inch short of his own height.
His
lifetime best is about 7-1, which is 4 inches shy of jumping over
Houston
Rockets star Yao Ming. That jump came in 1984 at the Rutgers Relays,
the most
memorable feat of his career.
"Jumping
7-1 has to stand out," said McBarnette, who began competing in masters
track as a 30-year-old in 1989 and has always medaled at national
meets.
"My PR before that was 7 feet. That was pretty memorable, too; that's a
huge barrier for a jumper to break. My father saw John Thomas become
the first
human to jump 7 feet in Madison Square Garden in 1959, so it was
special for
him when I called him to say I jumped 7."
McBarnette
said his father missed his 7-1 jump when he fell asleep in his car
after
watching and waiting for hours for his son to compete.
McBarnette's
competition would be challenged to live as full a life as he does.
The
Princeton grad is president of Summit Connection, a real estate
investment
company; he also holds a law degree that came in handy when he was
legal
counsel for a U.S. Senate committee, a judge advocate attorney for the
U.S.
Army and a senior counsel for Fannie Mae before joining Summit.
McBarnette
also teaches courses on real estate and memory techniques at Northern
Virginia
Community College, George Washington University, Prince George's
Community
College and Hagerstown Junior College.
In
his spare time he is an actor who has appeared in such television shows
as
"The West Wing," "Homicide" and "Law and Order,"
as well as several major films. A call to his voice mail reveals there
is a
separate mailbox for casting agents.
But
McBarnette's greatest contribution is his charity work. He has been
honored by
the Trey Whitfield Foundation for his athletic accomplishments and for
raising
hundreds of thousands of dollars for the homeless in Washington.
He
counts at least 2,000 schoolchildren a year who have heard his speeches
about
personal success and solutions to homelessness.