PSU Is 800U In Florida

At the Florida Relays, Penn State threw down some fine early season times in the 800M!

• Danae Rivers won the 800M with a nation's #1 time of 2:03.63
• Domenic Perretta ran the 800M in 1:47.75 for the #2 NCAA time

AND:

• Billy McDevitt, Colin Apert, Gary Ross and Domenic Peretta won the 4 x 800M in 7:19.50

Meanwhile in Frozen Head State Park, Ron Moore waits patiently in camp as rain, thunderstorms, sleet and snow blankets the area ONLY in the Park confines.  The poor bastards out in the elements have little chance of finishing this year at the Barkley Marathons.

Ron Moore represents us at the Start/Finish gate.

Disappointed In Not Receiving The Invitation To Hell On Earth

I am disappointed.  But Ron Moore is way more disappointed than I am.  I was actually somewhat prepared for the ordeal, but Ron was really well prepared for much, much more.  One hundred (thirty) miles in the most rugged terrain in America with no help except between each of the 5 loops in less than 60 hours.

The start.

The Barkley Marathons participants are "out there" now.  I suppose that means 39 people are somewhat lost in the woods and all are hurting somewhat.  If you aren't familiar with what it means to be a Barkley runner, you had better brush up.

Let's let Ron refresh us on the Hell that is Barkley...

Barkley Marathons

The race started at 9:23am this year, one hour after the blowing of the ceremonial conch shell.  The race usually has 40 runners, but a last minute drop-out (a big no-no in the Barkley world) meant that the next runner usually gets a chance.  The "weight-list" included a no-show at #1 and Ron Moore at #2!  He would finally be in!   But wait....

Lazarus Lake.

Race organizer and omnipotent Lazarus Lake has made up a new rule that excludes last minute entrants, and despite widespread opposition, ruled Ron out.  With typical Nittany Lion grace, Ron took the news with dignity, despite having prepared monumentally for the chance and being logistically ready to run.

I was only minimally disappointed in comparison as I was to be part of Ron's support crew for the race.  He contacted me this week that he would likely not be getting in this year, and not to make the 10 hour drive to rural Tennessee for the weekend.  I was originally goint to bring my small camper (Podd 2.0) to the campgrounds to help.  But in another recent Commandment, Laz has banned RVs from the starting area.  Oh well, I can tent too...  Which I will do next year to support our Erwin Shroedinger Endowed Chair of Advanced Physics.  I will be meticulously prepared and I know Ron will be too.  That is, if I don't apply with my Press credentials to cover the whole race for real!

Podd 2.0

 

Six seconds too late after 60 Hours.

Mid-Tourney Slump

So, Spott Moskowitz lost some momentum in the 2nd round of the NCAA Tourney.  He has taken it well, and hopes to rebound in the remaining games.  KKOB's dog Kierrun has overtaken him in the standings.

The standings in the PSU Pool run by Ken Cooper seems to be dominated by the younger set.

1	Stoffel, Connor	56
2	McCarthy, Dennis	55
3	Chapman, Mark	54
4	Bisko, Brooke	54
5	Pruitt, Christopher	54
6	Rupe, Avery	54
7	Stewart, Kerry	54
8	Cecchini, Evan	54
9	Caldwell, Ryan	53
10	Pritchard, Simon	53
11	Heitzmann, Madison	53
12	Liddell, Chuck	53
13	Cole, Braden	53
14	Crescenzi, Noah	52
15	Oliver, Ryan	52
16	O'Brien, Kevin Kelly	52
17	Heitzmann, Colin	52
18	Williams, Jay	52

David Vs Goliath: Porn, B-Ball, Nike, Extortion and Bank Fraud In The Age of Madness

Apparently, Nike has been cooperating with an NCAA investigation into illegal payments made to college basketball players.  Or, if you believe Stormy Daniel's ex-lawyer Michael Avenatti, they have not been cooperationg with the investigation.

The nicest thing about him is his suit.

Either way, now there are multiple indictments against Avenatti concerning extortion of the company to the tune of $25M, as caught on tape by the law firm Boies Schiller Flexner!  Avenatti also has separate indictments in CA for bank and wire fraud charges.  In a still separate case, he faces charges of domestic abuse.

My money is on Nike and President Mark Parker.

Spott Moskowitz Is Relaxed

The first round of the NCAA Basketball tourney is over, and Spott Moskowitz, my mutt of a Jack Russell is probably ahead of you in the standings. 

Spott "Nostradamus" Moskowitz

He seems relaxed and confident with his picks, and stands in 11th place out of the record 207 entrants into Ken Cooper's elaborate pool.
                                                

1	Venne, Lisa Anne		13	15	28
2	Arosemena, Che		16	12	28
3	Stoffel, Connor		16	12	28
4	Stewart, Kerry		15	13	28
5	Hamer, Allison G		14	13	27
6	Gross, Michael		14	13	27
7	Johnson, Keyshawn		15	12	27
8	Storm, Hannah		15	12	27
9	Liddell, Chuck		12	15	27
10	Cole, Braden		14	13	27
11	Moskowitz, Spott		14	12	26
12	Walter, Anne		14	12	26
13	Hoover, Douglas		14	12	26
14	Snake		14	12	26
15	Miller, Keith		13	13	26
16	Crescenzi, Noah		12	14	26
17	Rupe, Avery		15	11	26
18	Munro, Scott		12	14	26
19	Dewberry, Amelia		12	14	26
20	O'Brien, Kevin Kelly		14	12	26
21	Cecchini, Evan		14	12	26
22	Greenberg, Mike		15	11	26

It Is About Time To Get Ready For The Reunion And Golf Tourney!

First, you must enter the tourney or get your bona fides for the Reunion by sending in the required monies to Harry Smith.

DO THAT NOW!

Now that you have that completed, it is time to think about the proper attire.  And there isn't anyone more in tune with what is required on the Golf Course (or Board Room) than Bill Murray.  So head on in to his web site and grab yourself some swag including Bucket Hats and even Bill Bottoms!

William Murray Golf  

I personally will be sporting a pair of his greatest Bill Bottoms for the tourney.  these have a very tasteful pattern inspired by his mom.  I have actually invited Bill to our tourney for years. He will take us on eventually, I'm sure.

 

Can You Beat Spott Moskowitz?

It's that special time of year when all thoughts wander to Ken Cooper's NCAA Bracket Pool for PSU Track Alumni (and just about anyone else!).  The 25th Annual!

Spott, my dog, has a rather good record in the tourney prognostication.  He has been at the top of the Dog Division numerous times and I trust all of my own picks to him.  Let's see if you can beat him this year.  I will add that he is not a fan of Duke.

1.       MAIN POOL - Everyone is in the Main Pool.  It is free and pride only.  Last year we had 201 people.  This is great for kids.  Last year, we had 43 kids in 8^th grade or under and they had 4 of the top 20 overall placers.  You are encouraged to include kids and pass along to other friends. 

Enter Here!

Coach Of The Year, Athletes Of The Year, And Another 800M Champion!

First up, Artie "Knute" Gilkes became the PIAA Boys Indoor Coach of the Year with his Little Lions victory at the State Meet.  Artie excels at coaching the jumps, of all things, but Nick K. tells us he gives a very good "Gipper" speech as well!  Congrats Artie.  And don't forget to golf this year!

While there is no video, I had the pleasure of hearing Artie’s pre-meet speech.  He comprehensively laid out the scoring possibilities so the team could see for themselves what had to be done in a way that empowered them to take control of the outcome.  No emotional BS.  

(Steve) Shisler’s mission was to re-establish, in his words, “a culture of achievement.”  Gilkes is extending and deepening that ethos.  As an SC alumnus, I am really grateful the young athletes again have outstanding coaches - including the event coaches, who genuinely care about guiding kids to steeper life trajectories through track and field.  During that championship Sunday, one could literally see guys mature and take a big step forward as they competed - not everything went as planned - and then put their hands on the prize.  Inspiring!     -Nick K.

State College Shows Off Depth

Not to be outdone by Penn State Track and Field Alumni, two present team members garnered awards for the season as well.  

Maddie Holmberg continued her great career and won the Mid-Atlantic Field Athlete of the Year.  She then set a PR at the NCAA Championships to place 9th in the Pentathlon. 

 Last, but not least, Danae Rivers backed up her Mid Atlantic Track Athlete of the Year award by winning the 800M at the NCAA Championships!

Danae used the tried and true tactic used by Dave Wottle in 1972, even splits, which took her from the middle of the pack to the victory in dramatic fashion.  Thus accentuating PSU is 800U! 

 Danae wins the 800M

Onward To Nationals!

Six Nittany Lions made it to the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships.  Remember, only the top sixteen individuals and the top 12 Relays can make it.  That's one of the hardest "makes" in all of track and field.

Women:

• Alexis Holmes   400M   
• Danae Rivers      800M
• Maddie Holmberg     Pentathlon

Men:

• Domenic Perretta     800M
• Morgan Shigo          Weight Throw
• David Lucas             Weight Throw