Penn State Is 800U - Penn Relays 2022 Edition

 

Penn State showed up in fine shape for the return of the Penn Relays 4 x 800M Championships of America.  The Women showed everyone what they can do at the big meets by winning the race in splendid fashion.  Ohio State put up a good fight, but the deep Lady Lions prevailed in 8:24.49.  I am trying to verify the actual order of athletes, but Rachel Gearing, Allison Johnson, Victoria Tachinski and Victoria Vanrielle  Victoria Vanriele (2:08.37), Rachel Gearing (2:04.27), Madaline Ullom (2:06.92), and Victoria Tachinski (2:04.95)were listed.  This was PSU's second wheel of the meet! (with the Sprint Medley Relay on Friday, another fine performance for 800U)  Madeline Ullom is an Ohio hs star coached by teammate Tom Rapp!

Splits in reverse order were: 2:08.37 / 2:04.27 / 2:06.92 / 2:04.95

The Men followed that up with a second place finish to the overwhelming favorite Ole Miss. They were rumored to be eyeing the Penn Relays Record of 7:11.17 of the 1985 Penn State squad, but came up short.  Two members of that 85 squad were in the stands enjoying the Carnival; Steve Shisler and  Vance Watson.  PSU ran to a fine 7:17.86 time, a time that has won quite a few Championships in the past.  Listed as running were Olivier Desmeules, Darius Smallwood, Evan Dorenkamp, and Domenic Perretta. Yukichi Ishii, Olivier Desmeules, Darius Smallwood and Domenic Perretta

Splits in reverse order were:   1:48.85 / 1:49.98 / 1:48.67 / 1:50.37

Throw Back Thursday

Friend of the Group (and Coach Groves) Larry Fall sent us this morsel of goodness on the day that Penn Relays finally returns!   No, it isn't from the Relays, but it is pretty tasty anyway.

In the olden days before widespread awareness of the evils of alcohol were apparent (or was it just ignored?) there was a race in State College a little over a mile long which involved up to 7 stops at bars to down a cup of beer.  It was actually a charity event from our Greek friends.  Crowds were enormous and even the police were on the side of the revelers, providing security and safety to the throngs.

There were notable entries from our group involved.  I will never know how Don Ziter pulled off a top level finish while still on the team?  He will be at the Reunion to explain.

But no one was better at the event than Pete Bortolotti.  Greg Frederick's Athletic Attic Store was his sponsor.  He recorded a 5:13 on the 1.1 mile course without spilling a drop. For charity!

Looking at the brochure poster, I think that Bill Clinton made an appearance in the event.  No times could be found.

A 50-Year Record

 Hugh Hamill was in Philly recently for a celebration of his Father Judge high school team's record 4 x 800, which still stands! It's a shame he couldn't hang around for our golf tourney.

Happy Birthday Coach Groves

Boston Marathon Weekend Warms Us Up For Penn Relays

 Doreen (Startare) McCoubrie will again be trudging from Hopkinton to Boston on Patriot's Day.  I am sure there are others...

Warming up for Doreen were Tim McGowan and Tori Gerlach who both placed 15th in the Boston Marathon 5K.