American
Masters Track and Field Championships
Having been distracted by life, I did
not get to these reports as soon as I should have so memory fades and
bits and pieces disappear.
I certainly should have written about
the first ever American Masters Classic T&F, held at Durham
County Stadium on April 14th, since it was hosted by
Piedmont Pacers Track Club. Kevin Gobble and other Pacers put the
event together and worked it as well as competing. This was quite an
endeavor. Most of the usual track events except hurdles, pole
vault, and I think hammer were available to compete in. Race events
ran the gamut from 100m to 10,000m. About 250 folks registered, many
local to NC but some from Maryland, W. Va., Canada, and the Atlanta Track Club.
 |
| Willis, Jacobs, Wilton,Szymkoski, Staab |
The field events were held in the area
above and to the side of the track. There seemed to be a lot of men
competing in those field events. Every time I went up there from the
track (not a good idea to try to fit in both field and track in a one
day event), folks were still sitting around waiting their turn. It
was a warm day. This was the first outdoor track event of the season
for me and perhaps for many others as well. (Turned out to be my
best outdoor 400m of the year at 1:41.20, sigh)
Rick Pack, a Piedmont Pacer in his 30s
ran the 100 (12.82) through the 800 {2:28.83) in his usual fast
times. I often wonder how people run this range since they differ so
much in training. But I guess if you have it, you have it! Some love
track dust. Becky Bowman was just starting back from an injury (not
quite recovered) but did her usual 100 (14.6), 200, and 400
(1:25.47). We even had Barbara Knight Warren from WVa., the legend,
competing. I am surprised at the traveling track folks are willing to
do just to compete.
 |
| Rick Pack |
 |
| Barbara Knight Warren |
This was a successful meet with no
major glitches. Hopefully, it will become an annual event I liked
that it was early in the season because there are so few Outdoor
Meets in the area.
South Carolina Open and Masters
Track Classic June 9
I debated between doing the South
Carolina event at Furman U. Greenville SC, a 5 hour drive, or the
SouthEast Region Masters Championships in Birmingham, AL. I was not
sure what the participation might be at SEM, so I chose the South
Carolina event. Good choice.
The drive was not too bad. I met Ann
Carter there and we had dinner (and wine) the night before. She had
transported hurdles, which it turned out they did not need after all.
My biggest problem with the Meet was finding it! Ann
had told me which way to go, but WAZE sent me a different way so I
had a hell (yes, hell) of a time finding the entrance to Furman (WAZE
kept sending me on odd ball roads which bordered Furman but no
entrance. ) So, anyway, I get there and now I cannot find the track.
No signs at all. I stopped at this one building which was an
athletic something, open, but no one inside. Outside, another car
pulled up looking for the baseball field, just as baffled as I was.
They had a tournament to play (I encountered other baseball players
searching as well) Furman needs more signage! I
finally got pointed the right way by a fellow jogging wearing
a Furman sweatshirt. Else, I would still be roaming, cursing up a
storm. The track was nice, once I found it. (The baseball fields were right behind the track.)
Many
of the NC track folk I know were there: Rick Pack, Becky Bowman, Jane
Barnes, Lane Wilton, Anne Sluder, Melanie Walker, Nicole Kelly. Atlanta Track Club folks, Jeanne Daprano and Terry Ozell took the trek to SC., It
was a hot day. The track distances went from 50m up to 800m then the
mile and 3000m. In the beginning, there was a delay for the start of
the track events. I recall putting the spikes on then taking them
off, going to get water and having to run back to put the spikes on
because they were going to start. I like the 50m except that
it is not enough of a distance for me to build enough speed. Becky
Bowman did it in 7.71 and Jane Barnes (next AG up) in 8.2. I slogged
in in 9.89.
 |
| Terry Ozell |
 |
| 30 and up men 100m start |
I watched Rick Pack run a very fast 400
(56.57) while waiting to do discus.
 |
| Rick Pack -- beautiful form! |
I caught a glimpse of Anne Sluder
doing 80 short hurdles (13.09), and Lane Wilton running the 800
(2:47.63). I missed all of Ann Carter's jumping events etc because I
was either on the track or waiting for discus. There was a huge
delay getting to discus. I think it was the weight throws that
preceded discus. Lots of men throwing. I believe they put a Hold on
the throwing in one of the cages while a track event was ongoing
since it was adjacent to the track. Discus got started quite late so
any conflict I had been worried about was non existent. The event
officials had said not to worry any way since they would fit me in.
By the time I got to discus my throws were short, though I got some
tips from Patricia Clemmons I could not put them adequately in
practice.
It was a long day by the time I got
home (fortunately missing the rain.)
 |
| Daprano and crone at end of day |
 |
| Crone and Rick Pack |
No comments:
Post a Comment