Usamasterstrackchamps Atalbuquerqueconv.Ctr. Fri-Sunmarch4-6

FORIMMEDIATERELEASE: March 2,2016
Contact:BobWeiner,USATFNationalMastersMediaChair301-283-0821,

USAMASTERSTRACKCHAMPS ATALBUQUERQUECONV.CTR. FRI-SUNMARCH4-6:

FIVEOLYMPIANS INCLUDING’84FLAGBEARER,TWOENTERTAINERS,

30+WORLDCHAMPIONS,MANYNEWMEXICOSTARS;
MEDIAANDPUBLICWELCOME

(Albuquerque,NM)–TheUSATrackFieldNationalMastersIndoorChampionshipswillbeheldattheAlbuquerqueConventionCenterFriday-SundayMarch4-6,withfive Olympians,including1984Flagbearer/three-timeOlympicthrowerEdBurke,stillsettingagerecords,morethan30worldchampions,andover 40NewMexicoparticipantsincludingmanyofthestarathletesamongthenearly800participantsfromacrossthenation. Mediaandthepublicarewelcometoattendtheeventsfree,withfinalsbeginning8:00AMeachdayto4:30PMFriday,5:00PMSaturday,and2:15PMSunday. ThisisonlythesecondtimethenationalchampionshipmeethasbeenheldinAlbuquerqueandthefirsttimesince2011,fiveyearsago. TheaddressoftheConventionCenteris4012ndStreetNW,AlbuquerqueNM87102

Thedetailedschedulemaybefoundat:

Theoverallmeetwebsitewithentrantsandeventsmaybefoundat

Mediaiswelcomeandwillbecredentialedonsite. Forinterviewsandonsitecoverageinformationcontact:BobWeiner,USATFMastersMediaChair,onlocationoratcells202-306-1200or202-329-1700,.

TheAlbuquerquemeetwillfeatureatleast44athletesfromNewMexico,headedbyLisaValle,49,ofAlbuquerque,amiddle-distancestarand2009worldoutdoorchampioninthe800and1500,competingatthosedistancesplus3000m;PaulFragua,59,ofAlbuquerque,amiddle-distanceacebutwithgreatabilityinthe400,runningthe400and800;andDavidSalazar,65,ofCedarCrest,astandoutinthemiddledistanceswhobecameapentathleteforawhileandnowisreturningtothe400and800. AllthreearemembersofNewMexicoTrackClub.

ThemeetwillbetheMeccaformasterssprinters,accordingtomeetannouncerPeterTaylor. Atlastcount,wehad239inthe60dashalone.

Sprinters,hurdlers,jumpers,andothermastersathleteswholoveanexcellentsurface,asteeplybankedtrack,andhighaltitudeareflockingtoAlbuquerque,NewMexico,onthefirstweekendinMarchfortheUSATFMastersIndoorChampionships. Thesprintsareheadedbyabevyofinternationalstarsranginginagefrom30to99.

ReverendChampionGoldy,fromHaddonfield,NewJersey,takesthehonorsforseniorityamongthemalesprinters,havingbeenbornjustover99yearsand1monthago. Onthewomen’sside,SumiOnodera-Leonard,theHallofFamerfromHuntingtonBeach,California,takesseniorityat87.
FOR FULL RELEASE AND CHARTS OF STARS, OLYMPIANS, AND NM ATHLETES:

THREECHARTSOFSTARATHLETESFOLLOWBELOW:

*Thefirst,byUSATFNewMexicoMastersChairDaveLopez,is“NewMexicoLeadingMastersT&FProfiles”ofathletesentered.

*Thesecond,byAnnouncerPeterTaylor,is“MTFAlbuquerque2016Stars”.

*Thethird,byUSATFMastersAwardsChairMaryTrotto,is“MTFAlbuquerqueStatsonOutstandingAthletes”,peoplewhowonlastyear’soutstandingoveralloragegroupawards,includingworldchampionsbolded,whoareentered.

NewMexicoLeadingMastersT&FProfiles
ByDaveLopez,NewMexicoUSATFMastersChair

PaulEconomides–Age70–fromAlbuquerque,NM–enteredinShotPut,WeightThrowandSuperWeightThrowin2016NationalIndoormeet–holdstheWorldRecordinThrowsPentathlonandAmericanRecordinDiscusThrow(M65)–hasparticipatedmedaledinnumerousnationalmeetsovertheyears–hasbeenthrowingsincetheseventhgrade–slowedoverthepastfewyearsbyatornAchillesheelbutrecoveryhasgonewellandhopestomakearunatthethrowsrecordsinhisnewagegroup!

RogerAssink–Age70–fromAlbuquerque,NM–enteredin60Mand200MDashesin2016NationalIndoormeet–neverrantrackinhighschoolorcollege–startedrunninginlocalCorporateCupeventsinhismid30’s–underwentopenheartsurgeryin2009–recoveredenoughtoplace3rdin60MDashand2ndin200MDashin2011MastersIndoorChampionships,thelasttimethemeetwasheldinAlbuquerque–lookingforwardtocompetingin2016OutdoorNationalsinGrandRapids,Michigan,whichisminutesfromhishometown.

DavidSalazar–Age65–livesinCedarCrest,NM–enteredin400MDashand800MRunin2016NationalIndoormeet–hasparticipatedinmanyUSATFMastersIndoorOutdoorChampionships,startingin1990–winnerofnineNationaltitles,in800MRun,1500MRunandPentathloninvariousagegroups–memberofSoCalTrackClub4x800MRelaythatseta50-59worldrecord.

LisaValle–Age49–fromAlbuquerque,NM–enteredin800M,1500Mand3000MRunsin2016NationalIndoormeet–triplegoldmedalist(800M,1500M2000MSteeplechase)in2009WMAWorldChampionshipsinLahti,Finland–doublegoldmedalist(800M,2000MSteeplechase)andsilvermedalist(1500M)in2011WMAWorldChampionshipsinSacramento,settingaW45WorldRecordinthe2000MSteeplechase(6:58.98)–fourtimegoldmedalistindoorsandseventimegoldmedalistinoutdoorUSATFMastersNationalChampionshipssince2008.

PaulFragua–Age59–livesinJemezPuebloandAlbuquerque,NM–enteredin400MDashand800MRunin2016NationalIndoormeet–hascompetedinmanyMastersNationalChampionships,bothindoorandoutdoor,datingbackto1992–winnerofmultiplenationaltitlesoverthisspan,includinggoldsinM55800M1500MRunsin2014MastersOutdoorChampionships–atribalmemberofthePuebloofJemezNewMexico,atribeknownforitshonoredrunningtradition.

DickCroghan–Age80–fromAlbuquerque,NM-oldestNewMexicoathletecompetinginthisyear’smeet–enteredin400MDash,800Mand1500MRunsin2016NationalIndoormeet–startedrunningingradeschoolhasneverstopped–coachedtrackfieldinhighschoolandcollegeinthePhilippinesforthirteenyears–hasachievedAllAmericanstatusmanytimesovertheyearsinroadracing,ineventsrangingfromthe5Ktothemarathon.

***MTFAlbuquerque2016Stars***
ByPeterTaylor,MeetAnnouncer

MEN

40-44

AntwonDussett:Peoria,Illinois,age40. Antwonranablazing47.34secondsinthe400towintheM35goldatthe2011outdoorworldsinSacramento,California. Alsointhatmeet,hewonthe200withacollege-liketimeof21.57. Twoyearslater,atage38,hewonthe400intheworldsinBrazilwithanabsurdlyfasttimeof47.37,just1.37secondsslowerthantheprovisionalqualifyingtimeforthe2012USOlympicTrials.

InAlbuquerque,Dussettwillcompeteinthe200and400. In2011atnationalshesetthestill-standingAmericanindoorrecordforthe200dashintheM35agegroup:21.67seconds. Enoughsaid.

45-49

LeeBridges: Homewood,Illinois,age48. Lee,whostarredfortheUniversityofIllinois,isbynomeansahouseholdnameinmasterstrack,buthehasmadepeoplewakeupinahurry. Forexample,at2015Lyonworldsheuncorkeda50.79atage48inthe400toprevailoverastrongfield,andhealsofashioneda22.89inthe200totakeabronze. Hiswinningperformanceinthe400(52.57)atlastyear’sindoornationalsonaflattrackwasextremelyimpressive,almostaworkofart. AtAlbuquerque,Leewillcompeteinthe200and400.

55-59

BrianHankerson:Hollywood,Florida,age56. BrianownstheAmericanindoorrecordformen55-59atastunning6.12meters(20feet,1inch). Atlastyear’smastersindoorsinNorthCarolinahewonthe60dash,tookgoldinthe200bydintofbeingfirstAmericaninthatevent(hewassecondoverall),andwonthepentathlon. Atthe2013worldsinBrazil,heprevailedinafieldof17longjumpersinthe50-54groupasoneofthe“oldmen”at54. InAlbuquerque,Brianwillcompeteinthe60dash,longjump,highjump,andtriplejump.

Paul Babits: Fort Wayne Indiana, age 55. Star pole vaulter: 2011 outdoor world champion 4.60, 45-49 indoor world record holder 5.14, 50-54 indoor world record holder 4.75, 10 masters world indoor records.

60-64

GaryHunter:FortWayne,Indiana,age60. TheholderoftheworldM50outdoorrecordinthepolevaultatastupefying4.75meters(15feet,7inches),GarysetanM55Americanindoormarkin2013at4.31meters(14feet,1¾inches). HealsohastheAmericanoutdoorrecordforM55,at4.36meters(14-3½). Backin2011,GarytookthegoldattheoutdoorworldsinSacramento,andheisamemberoftheUSATFMastersHallofFame. GarywillconfinehisathleticactivitiestothepolevaultinAlbuquerque.

65-69

CharlesAllie:Pittsburgh,PA,age68. Charleswonaveryspecialhonorin2013,asWorldMastersAthleticsnamedhimthetopmasterstrackandfieldperformerintheworld. Outdoors,AlliehastheM65worldrecordsinboththe200(24.65)andthe400(56.09). Indoors,CharlesholdsthelistedworldrecordforM65inthe200at25.41(sincebetteredbyBillCollins)andisaco-holderoftheM55400recordat53.20. AmemberoftheUSATFMastersHallofFameandaproudgraduateofHamptonInstitute(nowHamptonUniversity),Charleswillcompeteinthe60,200,and400inAlbuquerque.

BillCollins:Houston,Texas,age65. ArguablythegreatestmalesprinterinthehistoryoftheAmericanmastersT&Fprogram,Collinshasbeendoggedinthelast5yearsbyGuillain-Barrésyndrome. Althoughhewillprobablyneverreturntofullstrength,inJanuaryhestunnedthemasterstrackcommunitybyrunningthe200metersin25.25secondsforaworldindoorrecordinM65. AtAlbuquerque,Billisenteredinallthreesprints(60,200,400). Giventhestrengthofthisagegroup,asweepseemsoutofthequestion,buttheformerAll-AmericanatTexasChristianUniversityhassurprisedpeoplemanytimesbefore.

NolanShaheed:Pasadena,California,age66. NolanisanotedjazztrumpeterwhohashadsomephysicalproblemsrecentlyandhopestouseAlbuquerqueasaspringboardtobetterthings. ShaheedisanextremelyversatiletrackperformerwithnumerousAmericanorworldrecordsandamembershipintheUSATFMastersHallofFame. Forexample,NolanhastheAmericanindoorrecordsinthe3000forthreeconsecutiveagegroups--50-54(8:54.73),55-59(9:10.27),and60-64(9:48.84)--butthatinnowayishisgreatestachievement. Evenmoreimpressiveisthatheisthelistedindoorworldrecordholderinthemileforthreeconsecutiveagegroups(50-54,55-59,and60-64),albeittwoofthethreemarkshavebeenbetteredrecentlybutnotyetaccepted.

AnotherofNolan’smoststunningtrackachievementswouldbehis2:08.56inthe800outdoorsatage61(aworldrecord). InAlbuquerque,Shaheedwillrunthe800,1500,and3000.

70-74

TyBrown:Washington,DC,age71. In2013,attheageof68,Tyroaredthroughthe100-meterhurdlesoutdoorsin15.20secondstosetanM65worldmarkthatstillstands. Indoors,heremainstheworldrecordholderinthe60hurdlesforthisagegroup(9.17seconds)andlastyearbecametheworldrecordholderinM70aswellbycompletingthe60hurdlesinjust9.44seconds. Ayouthful-lookingcompetitoroutoftheUniversityofMarylandwhohasimpeccableform,Brownmayhaveevenmorerecordperformancestocome. AtAlbuquerque,Tywillcompeteinthe60,60hurdles,and200.

KentonBrown:Austin,Texas,age71. Dr.Brown,apsychiatristbyprofession,hasgivenfreereintohisathleticselfrecently,andhehasbeenmostimpressive. Atthe2015outdoorworldsinLyon,hedashedtoasilverinthe100in13.20andabronzeinthe200at27.57. Lastyearatindoornationals,hesetaworldrecordinthe60dashfortheM70groupat8.18seconds. InAlbuquerque,Dr.Brownwilltakeashotatthe60and200inverycompetitivefields.

75-79

EdBurke:LosGatos,California,age76. Ed,athree-timeOlympian,currentlyholdstheAmericanindoorM70recordsintheweightthrowat20.93meters(68feet,8inches),whichisalsoaworldrecord,andinthesuperweight(35pounds)atatitanic11.67meters(38-3). AtAlbuquerque,Edwillcompeteintheshotput,weightthrow,andsuperweight(seeseparateentryforOlympicathletes).

BobLida:Wichita,Kansas,age79. Lida,whoranfortheUniversityofKansasasacollegian,stillrunslikeathoroughbred. Outdoors,Bobhastheworldmarksinthe75-79categoryforboththe100(13.49)and200(27.73). Indoors,hehastheworldrecordsinthesameagegroupforthe60(8.44)and200(27.64)andtheAmericanrecordforthe400at1:03.90. Amazing. Fortheyear2012,BobwasselectedastheoutstandingmalemastersT&Fathleteintheworld.

InAlbuquerque,thisHallofFamerisenteredinthe60,200,and400.

WOMEN

35-39

BrandiBernert:Denver,Colorado,age38:Thisex-ColoradoStateUniversityhotshotcanstillmotorwiththebestofthem;evencollegiansshouldwatchout. Inthe2013outdoorworldsinBrazil,Brandithrewdowna12.33inthe100anda25.35inthe200,bothgoodforagoldmedal. Twoyearslater,atLyonworlds,shefinishedthirdinthe100at12.66,butagainstasignificantwind(-2.2mps). Currently,sheistheAmericanindoorrecordholderinthe60dashforthe35-39categoryatamarvelous7.75seconds,whichsheachievedinwinninggoldatthe2014worldindoormasters. Brandiwillcompeteinthe60and200atAlbuquerque.

40-44

SonjaFriend-Uhl:Brentwood,Tennessee,age44. AformerstandoutattheCollegeofWilliamandMaryandaparticipantinthe2000OlympicTrials,Sonjahasturnedouttobeanoutstandingmastersperformer. In2011shewonboththe800and1500attheoutdoorworldchampionshipsinSacramento,andsheiscurrentlytheworldindoorrecordholderinthemileforwomenaged40-44at4:44.81whilealsobeingthelistedAmericanoutdoorrecordholderforthatagegroupinthe1500withafabulous4:16.99. AtAlbuquerque,Sonjawillcompeteinthe400and800butwillskipthe1500.

RachelGuest:Surprise,Arizona,age40. RachelhasquicklyemergedasoneofthemostformidableU.S. mastersintheall-aroundevents;shecurrentlyholdstheW35indoormarkforthepentathlonandtheW40outdoormarkfortheheptathlon,whichshesetinfinishingsecondlastyearattheworldsinLyon. AlsoattheLyonWorldMasters,Rachelwonthe80hurdlesinbrilliantfashion(11.67seconds). AtAlbuquerque,Rachelwillcompeteinthe60hurdlesandthepentathlon,thelatterwithaneyeonapossibleAmericanorevenworldmark.

45-49

EmmanuelleMcGowan. HanoverPark,Illinois,age47. ArapidlyrisingstarinU.S. masterstrackandfield,Emma,whowasborninFrancebutisnowaU.S. citizen,recentlyran59.30inthe400forapendingAmericanindoorrecordinthe45-49division. AtLyon,France,lastyear,shewontheworldtitleinthe100(12.85,butthewindwas-1.9mps)andfinishedsecondinthe200(25.91)and400(59.02). AtAlbuquerque,Emmawilltryforgoldinthe60,200,and400.

50-54

ReneeShepherd:Merchantville,NJ,age51. NodoubtoneofthefourbestfemalesprintersinAmericanmastershistory,Renee,whoranfortheUniversityofPittsburgh,co-owns(withPhilRaschker)theAmericanrecordoutdoorsinthe100forW40at12.31andhastheW45Americanmarkwithapreposterous12.10. Inthe200,herAmericanoutdoormarkforW45is25.28. Indoors,sheholdstheAmericanmarksinthreeconsecutiveagegroupsinthe60dash:W40,7.78;W45,7.86;andW50,8.03. Inthe200,herAmericanindoormarksare25.34forW40and25.47forW45. Yes,Reneedoesn’tslowdownmuchasshemovesupthroughtheageclassifications. AtAlbuquerqueshewillcompeteinhersignatureevents,the60andthe200,aswellasthe400.

55-59

CarolFinsrud:Lockhart,Texas,age59. CarollastcompetedintheUSOlympicTrialsin2000,butsheremainsaformidablethrower. Herperformancesinthediscushavebeenremarkable,andsheowns,almostunbelievably,theofficialoutdoorAmericanmarksinthateventforfiveconsecutiveagegroups:W35,W40,W45,W50,andW55,albeittheW35markhasbeenexceeded. Butinthismeettheywillthrowindoors,andCarolwillacquitherselfverywellinthatenvironmentaswell. AmemberoftheMastersHallofFame,shewillbecompetingintheshotput,weightthrow,andsuperweight.

MarieKay:Wollongong,NewSouthWales,Australia,age56. Oneofthetwobestfemaleall-aroundathletesinthehistoryofmastersT&F,Mariewasnamedworldmasterstrackandfieldathleteoftheyearin2010. SheholdstheworldoutdoorheptathlonrecordsforbothW45andW55,andherlongjumpof5.41meters(17feet,9inches)madeoutdoorsin2010stillstandsastheworldmarkforwomen50-54. Indoors,shehastheworldrecordinthepentathlonforthesameagegroup.

Marie,whohaswoncountlessworldtitlesduringherlongandgloriouscareer,willbecompetinginthe60hurdles,200dash,longjump,andpentathloninAlbuquerque.

60-64

KathyMartin:Northport,LongIsland,NewYork,age64. Kathyisknownforhertremendousrange,astherecordbooksattest. Indoors,KathyhastheAmericanindoormarkfortheW55andW60categoriesinthe800,butshealsoholdsmarksindoorsinthe1500,mile,and3000.

Shehastheworldindoorrecordinthemilefor55-59at5minutes,19.87seconds,andKathywasthefirst60+womaninthehistoryoftheworldtobreak6minutesinthemileindoors,with5:50.46. Later,sheran5:47.25,andthatremainstheworldstandardforW60. Inaddition,shehastheworldindoormarkforW55inthe3000at10:35.76,astunning5:41.1permile.

Outdoors,Kathy’srecordsgoaslongasthe50,000meters(31.07miles),wheresheholdstheW60Americanroadrecordof3hrs,58minutes,30seconds,abitunder7:41permile. AmemberoftheMastersHallofFame,Kathywillcompeteinthe800,mile,and3000.

65-69

MyrleMensey:St. Louis,Missouri,age67. MyrlewastheUSATFmasterstrackandfieldathleteoftheyearfor2013andisatourdeforceinthethrows. ShewillputtheshotandthrowtheweightandsuperweightinAlbuquerque,andtheonlyquestionishowmanyrecordsshewillset. FortheW65divisionshehasallthreeU.S. indoormarks:9.26meters(30feet,4¾inches)intheshot,16.91meters(55-5)intheweightthrow,andastaggering10.89meters(35-8)inthesuperweight(20poundsinthisagegroup).

75-79

KathyBergen:LaCanada,California,age76. AtAlbuquerque,Kathywillcompeteinthe60and200dashesaswellasthehighjump. Fairenough;afterall,sheholdstheworldindoormarksinthe70-74and75-79categoriesforbothsprints:9.21and9.55,respectively,inthe60andanamazing31.86(W70)andmind-boggling33.06(W75)inthe200. Yes,shehastheworldindoormarkinthehighjump(1.22meters)forW75aswell. Kathyemergedabouttwodecadesagoandquicklyestablishedherselfasastandoutperformer;eventuallyshemovedtoall-worldstatus,whereshehasremainedforquiteafewyears. SheiswithoutquestiononeofthefourbestwomeninthehistoryofmasterssprintingintheU.S.

80-84

IreneObera:Fremont,California,age82. AmemberoftheoriginalclassofsevenintheUSATFMastersHallofFame,IreneisenteredinseveneventsatAlbuquerque,the60,60hurdles,200,400,800,longjump,andpentathlon. Obera,whocompetedinthe1960and1968USOlympicTrials,“runsyoung”andhascountlessadmirers. ThebroadspectrumofeventssheistryingatAlbuquerquemayindicatethatsheneedsnewchallenges. Afterall,sheholdstheworldmarksoutdoorsinthe80-84groupforthe100atanamazing16.81andthe200inafabulous36.80. Indoors,shehastheworldmarksforW80inthe60at10.37,the200at36.53,andthe60hurdlesat13.76,eventhoughthehurdlesisbynomeansoneofherbestevents. Ireneistheothermemberofthe“fabfour”(thefourbestwomeninmasterssprinthistoryintheU.S.).

FAQ Where are The “Fab Four?”

Without question, Phil Raschker, Irene Obera, Kathy Bergen, and Renee Shepherd (formerly Renee Henderson) are the Fab Four of American sprinting among the women in the history of the program. Of the 51 American indoor age-group records for the 60 and 200 and the American outdoor marks for the 100 and 200, those four currently hold 32, or 63%. It’s almost unbelievable that four women could be so dominant. Three of the four--Obera, Bergen, and Shepherd -- will compete in Albuquerque.

Five OlympiansintheChampionships

ChauntéLowe:Loganville,Florida,age32. Chaunté,agraduateofGeorgiaInstituteofTechnology(GeorgiaTech),competedinthe2004(Athens),2008(Beijing),and2012(London)OlympicGames. ChauntéistheUnitedStatesrecordholderintheindoorhighjumpat2.02meters(6feet,7½inches),settingupamostunusualcircumstanceatAlbuquerque:Thecurrentopenrecordholderwillbecompetinginamastersmeet. Shewillconfineherselftothehighjumpinthechampionships.

EdBurke:LosGatos,California,age76. Burke,athree-timeOlympianfortheUnitedStates,isperhapsbestknownforcarryingtheU.S. flagintotheLosAngelesColiseumatthestartofthe1984Olympics. Hecompetedinthe1964(Tokyo)and1968(MexicoCity)OlympicsaswellastheLosAngelesOlympics.

UnlikemostU.S. Olympians,whoaftertheiropencareerseithershunnedmastersT&Faltogetherortookabriefdipinthepoolandthenabandonedthesport,EdBurkehashadawonderful,record-settingcareerinmasters(seeseparateentryundermen75-79).

JimBarrineau:Burke,Virginia,age60. JimcompetedfortheU.S. inthe1976OlympicGamesinMontreal. AquickreviewoftheAmericanrecordsshowshimwithanindoormarkof7feet,¼inchinM35andanoutdoorrecordof6-11inM40. Jim,aformerstandoutattheUniversityofGeorgiaandnowretiredafteracareerasanofficerintheU.S. army,hopestowingoldinhissignatureeventatAlbuquerque.

HowardLindsay:NewYork,NY,age52. Howard,whowasborninJamaica,competedforAntiguaandBarbudainthe1984Olympics(LosAngeles),the1988Olympics(Seoul),andthe1996Olympics(Atlanta). Lindsayraninthe200dashandthe4x100and4x400relaysin1988,andinthe4x400inboth1984and1996. AtAlbuquerque,Howardwillcompeteinthelongjumpand60hurdles.

Ena Guevara Weinstein: Peru and Miami FL, age 57: Part of history—competed in first Olympic Marathon 1984, and also 1992.Pioneer on long distance from 3000 to marathon running in Peru.At ABQ, will compete in 400, 800 and 1500 USATF Medical Team 2009-Present

USATF Paralympic Medical Team

StarsintheEntertainmentWorld

NolanShaheed,asindicatedinthesummaryabove(men65-69),hasbeenastarintheworldofentertainmentfordecades. ShaheedhasworkedwithDianaRoss,PhilCollins,NatalieCole,ArethaFranklin,andStevieWonder,amongothernotables,andhewasleadtrumpetwithCountBasie. NolanresidesinPasadena,California.

DamienLeake,VanNuys,California,age63,hasbeenaTVandmovieactorformanyyears,havingappearedinSerpico,ApocalypseNow,andnumerousotherfilmsaswellasontelevision. Inthelastcoupleofyears,Mr. Leakehasemergedasanoutstandingsprinteraswell. Infact,inthe2014nationalindoorsinBostonheupsetarecentinducteetotheMastersHallofFame,thevauntedOscarPeyton,inthe60dash,scorchinga7.60toOscar’s7.63(Americanrecordis7.52). Thenextyear,atWinston-Salemindoornationals,Leakerana7.71todefeatPeytonagain. Clearly,Leakeismorethanjustaprettyface. AtAlbuquerquehewillcompeteintheeventinwhichhehasmadehismark,the60dash.

ALongLifeCountsforaGreatDeal(TwoOldestMen,TwoOldestWomen)

Men

Rev.ChampionGoldy,Haddonfield,NJ. Age99. The“goodreverend”willtaketheprizeatAlbuquerqueforbeingthemanwiththemostlifeexperience. “TheChamp”turned99earlierinJanuaryandwillbelatedlycelebratethateventbysprintingthe60,puttingtheshot,andhurlingtheweightandthesuperweightatindoornationals.

OrvilleRogers,Dallas,Texas. Age98. Orvilleisinneedofachallengingworkout,andthushewillrunthe60,200,400,800,and1500inAlbuquerque,afterwhichhewilltakeagoodrest. Orvilleholdsavarietyofworldindoorrecords,includingtheM95standardforthe400(2:24.51),800(6:52.84),andmile(14:39.91). HisworldindoorrecordinthemileforM90istrulyspectacularat9:56.58.

Women

SumiOnodera-Leonard. HuntingtonBeach,California. Sumi,an87-year-oldsprinter,will“hitchitup”inthe60,200,and400atAlbuquerque. SumiisamemberoftheUSMastersHallofFame.

IreneObera. Fremont,California. Ireneis82,butsherunsabout40orso(ifyou’reinsupershapeatage40,thatis). AlsoaMastersHallofFamer,sheisthesecond-oldestwomaninthemeet.

REIGNINGNATIONALANDWORLDCHAMPIONSCOMINGTO2016INDOORCHAMPIONSHIPS
ChartByMaryTrotto,MTFAwardsChair(Bold:WorldChampions)
KATHYBERGEN,LaCanadaCA / 70 / 60M,200M,HIGHJUMP / OUTSTANDINGFEMALEATHLETEOFTHEYEAR2015
IRENEOBERA,Fremont,CA / 80 / 6 60m,60mH,200,400m,High,Long,
TriplePent. / OUTSTANDINGFEMALEATHLETEOFTHEYEAR2015
WOMEN30-39
Bernert,Brandi,DenverCO / 36 / 60m / DefendingChampionIndoor60m
Cane,Debra,BoyntonBeachFL / 39 / 60mHurdles,mile,3000m / DefendingChampionIndoorMile
WOMEN40-49
Friend-Uhl,Sonja,BrentwoodTN / 40 / 800m / DefendingChampionIndoor800m
Guest,Rachel,SurpriseAZ / 40 / 60mHurdles,Pent / RecordHolderHept.
McGowan,Emmanuelle,
HanoverPA,Il / 46 / 60m,400m / DefendingChampionIndoor60and400m
WOMEN50-59
Chaplin,Lesley,AtlantaGA / 55 / 60m,400m,800m / DefendingChampionIndoor800m
Finsrud,Carol,LockhartTX / 58 / Shot,Weight,SuperWeightThrows / DefendingChampionIndoorShot,Weight,SuperWeigh
Fox,Vicki,CenterportNY / 55 / 60mHurdles,200m,400m,Pent. / DefendingChampionIndoorPentathlon
McCarthy,Sue,S.PortlandME / 52 / 60m,400m / DefendingChampionIndoor400m
SuteraStrange,Marisa,PleasantValleyNY / 50 / 1500m,3000m / DefendingChampionIndoor3000m
WOMEN60-69
Cohn,Linda,NorthridgeCA / 60 / 60m,Shot,Weight,SuperWeightThrow / DefendingChampionWeightThrow
Hanscom,Rita,SanDiegoCA / 60 / 60m,60mH,200m,PoleVault,Long,TripleJump / DefendingChampions60mHurdles,60m,HjPoleVault
Matthews,Brenda,AnaheimCA / 65 / 60m,60mHurles,200m,LongandTripleJump / DefendingChampion60mH,60m,200m,Long,TripleJump
Mensey,Myrle,St. LouisMO / 65 / Shot,WeightandSuperWeightThrow / RecordholderShot,SuperWeightDefendingChampion
WOMEN70+
Robinson,MaryGahannaOH / 73 / 60m,200m,400m,Shot,Weight,SuperWeight / DefendingChampionIndoor60m
Roman,Mary,NorwalkCT / 80 / Shot,WeightandSuperWeightThrow / DefendingChampionIndoorShot,Weight,SuperWeight
Donley,Christel,ColoradoSpringsCO / 80 / 60mHurdles,HighJump,TripleJump,Pentathlon / RecordHolderHIGH,TJDefendingIndoorChampion

OUTSTANDING Men: 2015NATIONALCHAMPIONSCOMINGTO2016INDOORCHAMPIONSHIPSINALBERQUERQUE,NM

NamesinBoldarealsoWorldChampions,winningGoldatLyonFranceinAugustof2015

Name / AGE / EVENTSATINDOORNATIONALS
Men30-39
Dussett,Antwon,PeoriaIL / M39 / 200,400m / DefendingChampionIndoor200,400m
JustinBishop,W.ColumbiaNC / M34 / 60mH,PENT. 1500m,3000m,Shot,WT,SWT / DefendingChampionIndoorHurdles,3000,HJ
Men40-49
Souza,Jeferson,MiamiFL / M40 / 60mHURDLES,PENT.,HJ,Shot / DefendingChampionIndoorPent,Hurdles
Bridges,Lee,HomewoodIL / M45 / 400m / DefendingChampionIndoor400m
Pye,Derek,LongBeachCA / M45 / 60m,60mHurdles,LongJump / DefendingChampion60m
Men50-59
Beck,Wendell,MesaAZ / M55 / PoleVault / DefendingChampionIndoorPoleVault
Hankerson,Brian,HollywoodFL / M55 / 60m,High,LongTriple / RecordHolderLongJump;DefendingChampion
McBarnette,Bruce,SterlingVA / M55 / HighJump / DefendingChampionIndoorHighJump
Tissenbaum,Allan,PittsburghPA / M55 / 60m,200m / WorldChampion2015
Yelverton,William,MurfreesboroTN / M55 / 200,400, / DefendingChampion400m
Men60-69(5)
Allie,Charles,PittsburghPA / M65 / 60,400m / DefendingChampionIndoor400m
Osland,Doug,RosevilleCA / M60 / High,Long,PoleVault,Pent. / DefendingChampionIndoorPoleVault,HighJ
Muller,Tim,ScottsdaleAZ / M65 / Shot,WeightSuperweightThrow / DefendingChampionIndoorSP,WT,SWT
Men70-79(3)
Brown,Ty,WashingtonDC / M70 / 60m,60mHurdles,200m,Shot / DefendingChampionIndoorHurdles,200m
Isett,Don,AnnTX / M75 / PoleVaultandHighJump / RecordHolderDefendingChampionIndoorPV
Men80+
Donley,Jerry,ColoradoSpringsCO / M85 / 60m,PoleVault,Shot / DefendingChampionIndoorPoleVault
Poche,John,LakeCharlesLA / M86 / Shot,Weight,SuperWeightThrow / RecordHolderDefendingChampionShot,WT

OtherAthletesofNote:

EdBurkeM70–competingintheShot,WeightandSuperWeightThrow

KathyMartinW60-competinginthe1500mand3000m

BobLidaM75-competing200m

JeanneDapranoW75-competing200,400,800m

JoyUpshawW55-competing60mHurdles,LongJump