Honorary Coach Groves International Alumni 400m April 2020

Harry Smith compiled all the reported times from around the world into one list.  This was inspired by Ken Cooper's challenge to all of us.

In my defense, I didn't try to run a fast time, I only surged for a 10:00 mile in the middle of my regular treadmill run.  I easily could have run a 2:10 400!  Hee hee hee

One more time. here is the up to date list: (5 decades now with Luke)

 

Karl Tewold '74 Finisher

Hugh Hamill '76 Finisher

Kelly O'Brien '80   84.

Brian Boyer '80 2:33 (500m)

Mark Hawkins '81  74.6

Larry Mangan '81  93.  (* Lane 5 conversions not available)

Donnie Skerpon '81 1:56

Dave Baskwill '81 2:30

Harry Smith '84  90.78

Clark Haley '85  DQ (false start-LOL)

Steve Balkey '88  81.21

Phil Caraher '88  2:03.90

Chuck "no sweat" Malone '89 Finisher

Chris Mills '89  1:58.30  (appealed not making Championship of America heats, appeal denied)

Samuel Harris '89  Monday heat - results pending

Doug Walter '90  84. (Altitude conversions also not available) 

Jay Novak '90  79.  

Bob Radzwich '92  67.16

Ron Moore '92 81.88  

Ken Cooper '94  59.89

Ron Caldwell '94  61.

'Tom Bisko '94 ?? (Finisher, can't find time reported)

Jake Bartholomy '95  77.8

Che Arosemena '97 Sunday Heat, results pending

Jayson Jackson '99 80.5

Matt Lincoln '06  53.

Luke Watson '13 59.

-(and in the background the PA announcer is still paging Sam Harris of Penn State,"please report to the starting corrals and check in for your 400m heat!")

Regards,

Harry

Penn Relays Old School Style: Complete With Crimes!

Steve Balkey celebrated both the Penn Relays and Coach Groves' birthday by breaking into the Outdoor Track and running his very own 400M to complete the challenge from Ken Cooper. With his Alumni Singlet, no less.  Well done.   And in 81.39.  That will be nearly twice as fast as my coming treadmill 400 later today.

I may honor the Penn Relays later by peeing on the wall behind my garage later too.  It brings back fond memories of the Franklin Field Men's Rooms. Only my garage is slightly more ornate.

The Break-In

The Aftermath

Happy Birthday, Coach Groves

It is fitting that it coincides with Penn Relays the day after Distance Night. 

I tip my Cold Molson to him. 

A Top-Ten Hot Dog And Top-Ten French Fry Eatery Closes

I have written about The O many times. Here and Here  From our William and Mary connection comes this tragic news. They really did have the best hot dogs and french fries in Pennsylvania.  Anyone ordering a large french fry there was always met with giggles.  A small order filled a cafeteria tray and fed a youth basketball team.  The hot dogs had a reddish color. Okay, they were straight-up red, and the special recipe was a secret from their manufacturer.

I will miss you, O.

Eatery Closes

 

Virtual Penn Relays And A Big Announcement

Got this from Matt Groves and Harry Smith via the internetty thingie.  Check it out.  You can join the team or just watch.  That's almost exactly like real life!  Be careful if you sit in the 2nd turn (And THERE ARE ONLY 2 TURNS ON A TRACK, EVERONE) stands, that's where the virtual Jamaicans and Virtual Fraternities sit!

Virtual Penn Relays

Participation Form Here

And in news that really isn't news, the 19th Annual Track/XC Reunion and Coach Groves Golf Tourney have been canceled.  I know everyone was assuming that anyway, but Clark Haley, with advice from the other idiot Officers of the group officially pulled the plug this weekend.

 

We Are The Second Largest Sports Alumni Group At PSU

Only the Football team has more living Alumni than the Track and Field/XC teams.  And yet the Track staff still don't have a complete and updated email listing to help keep everyone in touch.

Director of Operations and Javelin star Laura Loht has asked me to help in the quest for a complete listing.  She has compiled a form to be included in the soon to be "most active and largest Track Alumni Group in the World."

Penn State Track/XC Alumni Form

Stolen From The 90s Guys

The alums from the 90s started their own internetty thingie years ago to keep in touch.  They still use it today to "socially distance" and yet still stay close.

Many of them are also members of our group.  I hope they don't mind spreading the latest from their world onto the stage of our blog!

Here's video from what they consider "long ago", (1994) featuring Bob Hamer and Che Arosemena.  That really makes me feel old...

Thanks to Mark Wimmer and Harry Stants.

Sticking Together By Staying Apart

My practice continues for patients at risk, including diabetics, ulcer patients, infections and post-ops.  This puts me at some risk even while following all the mandates, rules and dictates from those in charge.

When I saw a fellow PSU Track Alum and Health Care Provider chipping in by making masks at home, I asked for a couple.  Thanks to the never-ending skillset of Jake Bartholomy, I have a nice mask I wear when out and about and over my N95 at the office. I use UV lights to sterilize it regularly.  My wife has another for her work in Harrisburg where she is more at risk.  Thanks Jake!