800U Reuniting!

 

With the news that Isaiah Harris has moved on from Nike to join the Brooks Beasts, a significant portion of 800U's record setters are reunited as well.  Brannon Kidder has been with them since early on and former World-Best Indoor 600m champion Cas Loxsom had been with them earlier.  Isaiah and Brannon were 4th and 5th at the last Olympic Trials.

 Sun Journal Article

Citius Mag Podcast with Isaiah

I'm Ready For More Abuse: Rankings Of The All-Time Indoor Alumni Records

As the third job I have in this current busy climate, this blog has a very good reputation for inaccuracy, mistakes and overall "I have to look that up".  I take abuse on just about everything I post, but posts involving statistics bring it from every corner of the world. So as an introduction to these marks, please update me on any inaccuraccies, mistakes or "I have to look that up".

Here are the tops marks for Penn State Mens Track Alumni Records from all-time as per the IAAF Scoring Tables.  These were compiled by Matt Grove from Coach Groves' notes and amended by all of us over time.  Undoubtedly, there are mistakes.  But that gives us all an opportunityy to get together in a collegial fashion and have a little fun along the way.   Hee hee hee

1.  600M          1226        1:14.91                         Casimir Loxsom '13                  2017 (WB)
2.  Shot Put      1209        70' 5.5" (21.47M)         Joe Kovacs '12                          2014
3.  800M          1196        1:46.13                         Casimir Loxsom '13                  2017
4.  Mile            1181        3:56.06                         Brannon Kidder '16                   2018
5.  1500M        1168        3:39.17                         Brannon Kidder '16                   2018
6.  60M HH     1137        7.70                              Mike Shine '76                           1978
7.  5000M        1117        13:39.27                       James Carney '01                       2005
8.  2 Mile         1107        8:35.0                           George Malley '77                     1979
9. Heptathlon   1099       5827 pts.                       Ryan Olkowski '02                    2005
10. 200M           1096       21.25                             Ryan Olkowski '02                    2003
11. TJ                1082        53' 2.75" (16.22M)       Ricardo Hall                              1995
12. HJ                1081       7' 2.25" (2.19M)            Dave Kriz '96                            1999
13. 1000M         1079       2:22.66                          Randy Moore '85                       1986
14. LJ                1073        25' 3.25" (7.7M)           Rob Boulware '87                      1988
15. 60M            1059        6.77                               Mike Shine '76                           1978
16. PV               1056        17' 2" (5.23M)             Rick Kleban '85                          1988
17. 55M            1056        6.1*  (6.34)                  Barney Ewell '42                        1947 (WR)
18. 55M            1056        6.1*  (6.34)                  Mike Sands '75                           1980
19. 300M            995         34.5                             Mike Sands '75                           1976

* 0.24 secs added to hand times as per IAAF standards.

Ranking of All-Time Best Outdoor Performances of Penn State Track Alumni*

* Performances after PSU eligibility has expired.

The IAAF, or whatever they call themselves now, has a ranking system that can be used to gauge performances across Track and Field times and distances.  This system is very useful, but is only one way to interpret Athletic performances across all the disciplines.

While these tables can never be a definitive measurement of the level of performance
considering the differing opinions among sports statisticians concerning their basis and
method of construction, they do allow us to consistently measure and compare athletes and their performances across the rich variety of event disciplines.

So, I combined our previous compilation of the Event Record Holders in each discipline with the IAAF Scoring Tables.  The results are sometimes surprising.

1.  James Carney       2007                10000M       27:34.64                    1386
2.  Joe Kovacs           2017                Shot Put       74' 0.25"  (22.57M)   1275
3.  Knut Hjeltnes       1985                Discus          228' 5"  (69.62M)      1238
4.  Casimir Loxsom   2015                800M            1:44.92                     1176
5.  Brannon Kidder    2019                1500M          3:35.27                     1171
6.  Barney Ewell        1948                100M            10.1 (ht)                   1170
7.  Mike Shine           1976                400M IH      49.30                         1159
7.  George Malley     1978                 3000M SC   8:21.72                      1159
9.  Lennart Hedmark  1973                Decathlon     8,188 pts.                 1155
10.  Casimir Loxsom  2013                600M            1:14.84                    1154
11.  Mike Sands          1975                200M            20.5                         1143
12.  Mike Shuey         2019                 Javelin          271' 10"  (82.85M) 1141
13.  George Adu        1999                 Long Jump    25' 10.75" (7.89M) 1114
14.  Larry Mangan     1983                Mile               3:56.90                    1113
14.  Alan Scharsu       1985                3000M           7:50.40                    1113
16.  Mike Sands         1976                 400M             46.01                       1111
17.  Mike Shine          1979                110M HH       13.80                      1103
18.  James Carney      2008                5000M           13:31.61                  1097
19.  Casimir Loxsom  2014                1000M           2:19.16                   1092
20.  Ricardo Hall        1995                Triple Jump    53' 7.75" (16.22M) 1082
21.  Dave Kriz            1996                High Jump      7' 0.75" (2.15M)    1046
22.  Dave Masgay       1987                Pole Vault      16' 8.75"                 1021
23.  Alvin Jackson      1979                Hammer         211' 11" (64.60M)   957       

Comments appreciated!                       

Retirement Is Bittersweet

Casimir Loxsom, World Best Indoor 600M, 1:14.91

No one has done more to make PSU Is 800U than Casimir Loxsom. Sure, there were champions before him and champions have come since, but no one was there for as many big moments and for longer than he has been.

Cas announced his retirement from professional running over the weekend:  (Thanks to Ken Brinker for delivering his statement in suitable format.)

In 2005, I was convinced to run indoor track to stay in shape for my first love of soccer. I was going to be a 55 meter runner and hated every second of it. My coach had other plans and anchored me on the 4x800 in my first meet, and I ran 2:07.
•
Over the next 13 years I developed a love and passion for our sport that I worry sometimes won’t ever be rivaled by future endeavors. I say “our” because what I fell in love with was the special community of human beings who choose this life.
•
Over the last year and a half, I’ve gained two things. The first is a tremendous amount of respect for each and every person that pursues Track & Field at the highest of levels. It’s a smaller community of humans that understand what it takes to be the best and how hard it is, and also how much is sacrificed in the process. I’ve also gained an incredible amount of empathy for those who choose that it isn’t a path they want to walk (or run) anymore.
•
When I graduated college and signed a professional contract, I wrote myself a letter. I decided that I’d never take a set amount of time off after a season. I told myself I’d start training each year when I felt motivated to. I knew the fall it didn’t come back would be when I’d decide to hang up the spikes.
•
I made the decision in the past few hours, but really I’ve felt this way for a few months. Today, I am a former professional Track & Field athlete. I can’t believe it’s now, but really there will never be a good time. The decision was made with a very heavy heart, but also with optimism.
•
I will never be too far from the community or the sport, and truly believe I can play a part in making it better while helping a lot of people in the process.
•
So thank you, everyone. It’s been a wild ride and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I’ve been truly blessed to experience the things I have, both good and bad.

I must say I enjoyed watching him run more than anyone I know.  Even Seb Coe, who I often compared to him.  His stride was magnificent and his pacing was always as even as anyone can be in the 800 meter range.  I will let others chronicle his highlights and awards.  I just want to say "Thanks" for all the thrills he gave this washed-up former second-stringer...

 

"Nits At Nats"

There were 6 Nittany Lions in action at the USATF Championships in Albuquerque this past weekend.  Each were vying for a chance at a trip to Birmingham England for the IAAF World Indoor Championships.

•  Evonne Britton   60M Hurdles   12th Place   8.16
•  Rachel Fatherly   Shot Put            7th Place   55' 8.25"  
•  Brannon Kidder   1500M            6th Place     3:43.78
•  Casimir Loxsom     800M               DNF        (51.41 400M)

It has been a rough year for Casimir, but he did get his degree in December!

Men’s Heat 2  From LetsRun summary:
Cas Loxsom took things out really hard so hard that he tied up on third lap and dropped out before 600. to act as a pacer to give other runners a better shot at advancing.
24.74 Loxsom has gapped field with Brazier 5 meters back.
400 – Loxsom – 51.43 with Brazier close behind.
On back stretch of third lap, both Russell Dinkins and Brazier went by Loxsom

Video:  Cas Loxsom on his 2018 Indoor Season

• Ryan Whiting   (former Assistant Coach)  Shot Put    1st Place   67' 9"
• Darrell Hill      Shot Put        2nd Place      65' 8.25" 

That means Darrell and Ryan are headed to Birmingham!

A Nice Weekend For Brannon Kidder

Brannon Kidder started out his weekend of running by helping Edward Cheserek run the second fastest Indoor Mile of all time.  He was the rabbit for the first 800M, tasked with running a 1:55 to set up the "solo" effort of Edward.

Kidder led Cheserek out, hitting 209 meters in 31 seconds and 409 in 59.x with Piazza behind him and Cheserek cruising in third. The crowd let out a roar when Cheserek crossed 809 in 1:56-low, signaling that the sub-3:50 was well and truly on. Kidder stepped aside after 850 meters, his duty done.

Edward Cheserek with his rabbits, Drew Piazza and Brannon Kidder.

Cheserek was pleased with his rabbit's efforts following his 3:49.44!

 Brannon wasn't done for the weekend.  He ran the Mile on Saturday.  He ran a PR 3:56.3.  More importantly, he crossed an official 1500M mark in under 3:39.5, with 3:39.17, thus surpassing the World Indoor Championship standard one week prior to the USATF Indoor Championships.  Congrats, Brannon.

And also in Boston, Casimir Loxsom ran in the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix 800M, placing 6th in 1:49.29.  The big news there is he ditched his Alumni Singlet for one of Billy Cvecko's Toad Track Club Singlets!

Photo by Tom Shiffer.

Singlets And Wristbands And Alums, Oh My!

The weekend was full of action, with many alums taking care to remember their roots in Happy Valley.  A few Alumni Singlets were sighted and a few Wristbands were noted on some Track Alumni (Golfers).  (Another sale of Alumni Singlets will commence shortly!  And possibly a new Wristband will be forthcoming at the next Reunion.)

Isaiah Harris with his newly replaced "PSU is 800U" wristband.

Diamond League Champion Darrell Hill competing in his Alumni Singlet at the Penn State National.

Cas Loxsom at the Armory with his Alumni Singlet.

PSU is 800U: Some Home Town Press For Another 2-Lapper And Possibly A Stolen Singlet?

Domenic Perretta got a little Press from a home town paper yesterday.  I hope to josh him a bit about it after he is done racing Saturday.

“I feel a lot stronger this year. I don’t know where my speed is right now, but I definitely feel a lot stronger. And it’s the beginning of the season, so I think I’m in a good spot.”

Perretta Starts Fast

And the promotions for this weekend's 800M brouhaha at the Armory features a pic of Casimir Loxsom in a Brooks Singlet even though he no longers runs for the company.

Meanwhile a great workout pic of current Brooks Beast Brannon Kidder shows him without a Singlet at all!

Putting 2 and 2 together in my FBI-inspired mind, I figure Casimir is on the lam to the Big Apple for stealing his former roommate's shirt! 

And I hope to present Isaiah Harris with a replacement wristband this weekend.  I have cleared all of it with the NCAA.

An Early Season Test For 800U?

While many of us will be in State College for the Penn State National, Cas Loxsom will venture forth to the Big Apple to compete in the Dr. Sander Invitational 800.  Others of note will be...

• Clayton Murphy

• Robby Andrews 

• Erik Sowinski 

A Challenge For The Penn State National?

I will be there for the Invitational Section of the Penn State National next week.  Hope you will come too and say hello!  It has been a great meet to attend for the last decade.  There is always a top performance or two and almost always a sub-4 mile.

Last year's edition brought us a Penn State Track and Field Alumni (Golfer) setting a World Record in the 600M with another Penn Stater just behind setting the Collegiate and School Record.  (1:14.91 and 1:14.96)

Isaiah Harris (1:14.96) Casimir Loxsom (1:14.91)

With yesterday's run by UTEP's Michael Saruni in Albequerque, that WR is gone (1:14.79).  Will anyone step up again to take it back at the Ashenfelter Track next week?

PSU is Shot Put U: 2017 Performance Of The Year Results: And What a Year!

To put things in perspective concerning 2017 in the Penn State Track and Field Alumni Universe, one must take into account that Isaiah Harris' appearance at the World Championships 800M didn't even make the Finals..  And incredibly, here is one performance that came in tied for fourth place...

• World Championships for 2 Middle Distance Stars.  Brannon Kidder and Casimir Loxsom helped the US win the 4 x 800M Relay at the IAAF Relay World Championships.

Also in fourth place...

• Danae Rivers set at least 6 School Records in her Freshman Indoor Season.  She ended up with her name on the books in the 600M, 800M, Mile and DMR.

Meanwhile LAST place was...

• Joe Kovacs with a Silver Medal in the World Championship Shot Put! (Joe has won the previous 2 Performances of the Year with his exploits.)

Third place was just...

• The Mens Team winning their first ever Big Ten Outdoor Track title. 

And Second Place in the voting just happened to be a combination of a World Record and a Collegiate Record in the same race!

• Casimir Loxsom World Record in the Indoor 600M with Isaiah Harris just a few hundredths  of a second behind for a School Record and Collegiate Record at the Penn State National.

But the Overall Winner of the 2017 Performance of the Year was the incredible last throw, 20 inch PR of Darrell Hill to win the IAAF Diamond League Shot Put title. Congrats to Darrell for making it the third year in a row that a Shot Putter has won the award. PSU is Shot Put U

2017 Performance Of The Year Finals

Both Semi-Finals were close.  There were so many worthy performances this year, it was hard to pick only 3 in each semi-final.  But now it is time to pick among the 6 Final Performances...

• Mens team wins the first ever Outdoor Track Big Ten title.
• Darrell Hill wins the IAAF Diamond League Shot Put with a 20 inch PR.
• Cas Loxsom sets the World Record in the Indoor 600M with Isaiah Harris just behind him to set the Collegiate Record.
• Danae Rivers sets multiple Indoor School Records in the 600M, 800M, Mile and DMR.
• Brannon Kidder and Cas Loxsom World Champions in the IAAF 4 x 800M Relay.
• Joe Kovacs places 2nd in the IAAF World Championship Shot Put.

Go the the full website and vote for your top 2 performances on the left sidebar!

2nd Semi-Final Poll For Performance Of The Year 2017

Happy New Year.  Now let's pick the final 3 finalists for our annual poll.  You know the drill...

• Go to the full website
• Look at the top of the left sidebar
• Vote for your top 3
• Tell all your friends to vote also

Our Semi-Finalists are:

1. Joe Kovacs - Silver Medalist at World Championships Shot Put 
2. Isaiah Harris - 2nd place at NCAA Championships 800M
3. Malik Moffett - Big Ten Track Athlete of the Year -200M and Long Jump
4. Mens Team - Big Ten Outdoor Championship
5. Doreen Statare McCoubrie - 2nd age group at Boston Marathon
6. Cas Loxsom (600M) and Brannon Kidder (1000M) 2nd USATF Indoor Champs.
7. Xavier Smith - 60M Big Ten Championship in 6.66
8. Mens 4 x 400M Indoor Big Ten Championship and School Record
9. Brannon Kidder wins Milrose 1000M ahead of Cas Loxsom
10. Danae Rivers with Indoor School Records in 600M, 800M, Mile and DMR

Our First Semi-Final Poll On 2017 Performance Of The Year

2017 was a phenomenal year for the Penn State Track and Field Alumni Universe. there were literally hundreds of great things happening.  This triggered an unprecedented number of nominations to our Performance of the Year Awards.  I have had to combine numerous entries to narrow the field down, there were so many!

Vote for your top three in this semi-final poll on the left sidebar of the full web site! 

Remember, we want to hear from you at any time on submissions for this annual award.  There is a place on the right sidebar of the full web site (not on mobile devices!) to submit anything you find to be worthy at any time. 

Previous winners of the Award:

• 2016 - Joe Kovacs - Silver Medal Olympic Shot Put
• 2015 -  Joe Kovacs - IAFF World Champion Shot Put
• 2014 - Brannon Kidder - School Record 1500M  (3:38.3)
• 2013 - Penn Relays DMR Championship of America (Brannon Kidder, Brandon Bennett-Green, Casimir Loxsom, Robby Creese)
• 2012 - Bridget Franek - Finals of Olympic Steeplechase

Semi-Final 1 Nominations for 2017 Performance of the Year: (Vote for your top three! on the left sidebar)

• Andrew Sell transitions from the Club Team to #3 runner on the XC team at the Big Ten Championships.
• Darrell Hill wins IAFF Diamond League Shot Put Championships.
• Tori Gerlach 3rd at NCAA Steeplechase.
• John Gondak - Mens Big Ten Outdoor Track Coach of the Year.
• Brannon Kidder and Casimir Loxsom - World Champions at IAFF 4 x 800M Relay.
• Danae Rivers - 3rd at NCAA Mile.
• Best ever combined Indoor finish by Mens (2nd) and Womens (1st) teams.
• Danae Rivers and Isaiah Harris - Big Ten 800M Champions Indoor
• World Record and Collegiate Record in 600M by Casimir Loxsom and Isaiah Harris at Penn State National.
• Tessa Barrett School Record 3000M. 
• Michael Shuey 3rd at NCAA and Olympic Trials Javelin.
• Solo Womens DMR results in School Record and NCAA Qualifier.

I Need To Get Into Shape To Run With Da' Toad!

Everyone already knows I am one of Billy Cvecko's greatest fans.  I have even made him our group's Undersecretary of Fun.  I'm a little miffed he hasn't scheduled me for one of his videos yet, but I am ever hopeful. Billy represents everything I am not.  Young, energetic, gregarious and always "glass half full" optimistic.  Thank goodness he's on our side!

Here's one of his latest videos, featuring him and Casimir Loxsom.  The videographer happens to be another well-known Nittany Lion!

Thanksgiving Means Turkey Trots

My family again braved the cold and ran the York Turkey Trot with the other 5,000 hardy souls.  I again spun the treadmill for my 25 pitiful minutes.  But what the heck, I'll bet that beats most of the rest of you!

Here's a sampling of other Penn State Track Alum (Golfers) who burned calories before heading to the table...

Tori Gerlach.

Casimir Loxsom

Tyler McCandless

Bob Radzwich's 32nd Berwick in a row!

Brannon Kidder.

All 3 Fuller Bros. WITH ALUMNI SINGLETS (thanks to Jeff Sanden for this annual pic!)

Penn State Track And Field Alumni (Golfers) In The Indoor Record Books

It is Indoor Season and all of us are looking forward to another great season from the Nittany Lions. There will be veterans hungry for top-flight performances and also some newcomers to challenge for attention.

But if we were to look back, we would find that there are plenty of Lions on the All-Time Indoor Record Books in many categories:

• World Records:  Casimir Loxsom  600M   1:14.91   2017.  (The 600M is not recognized as a sanctioned event by the IAAF, so this is a World Best.  The 600M is one of the most competed non-recognized events worldwide.)
• US Men:  Casimir Loxsom 600M on 2 different sized tracks  1:15.33 2105 and 1:14.91  2017.
• US Women  Shana Cox   500M   1:08.70   2010.
• Collegiate Men:   Isaiah Harris  600M  1:14.96   2017.
• Collegiate Men:  Brannon Kidder    1000M   2:18.26   2016.
• Collegiate Men:  Ryan Whiting   SP  71' 3.5"  2008. (Ryan was an Assistant Coach)
• Collegiate Women:  Penn State 4x200M   1:35.65  2014.
• US Junior Men:  Robby Creese    1000M  2:19.53  2012.

The Best Distance Medley Relay Squad In The NCAA?

And they are on the coaching staff!

That's Alex Shisler, Owen Dawson, Casimir Loxsom and Robbie Creese. Many NCAA teams will be hard pressed to compete with these guys.

I would use Robbie on the 1200M leg, Alex on the 400M leg, Casimir on the 800M leg and Owen on the 1600M leg.  But I would love arguments from everyone on that! (including them!)

The Newest Professional Nearly Topped The Rest Of The Nittany Lions!

The last Meet in the Tracktown Summer Series was last night in NYC.  Turns out that Tori Gerlach, the newest professional Nittamny Lion Alumnus, was second in the 5K Road Race!  Congrats Tori.

She was topped by Darrell Hill in the Shot Put, who placed first ahead of former Assistant Coach Ryan Whiting.  Evonne Britton placed fourth in the 100M Hurdles, while Cas Loxsom placed eighth in the 800M.

4

Evonne BRITTON

New York Empire

12.97

1 Darrell HILL San Francisco Surge 20.87m (68-5¾ ) 2 Ryan WHITING Philadelphia Force 20.73m (68-¼ )

8 Casimir LOXSOM New York Empire 1:47.34

2

Tori GERLACH

Portland Pulse

16:11.60

A Site For Real 800M Fans! PSU is 800U

I came across this great web site celebrating the 800M in an obsessive and glorious fashion.  There is enough here to peruse for many hours, and it is updated nearly daily!

The 800M Home Page

The listing of the fastest 800M runnuers of all-time has 2 Nittany Lions in the top 300.

• 193

  Isaiah Harris

  (18-10-1996)

  1.44.53

  Sacramento

  25-06-2017

• 289

  Casimir Loxsom

  (17-03-1991)

  1.44.92

  Eugene

  26-06-2015

The listing for top performances for this year has 4 Nittany Lions:

7

Isaiah Harris

1.44.53

25-06-2017

Sacramento

78

Cas Loxsom

1.46.13i

18-02-2017

Birmingham

 161  Domenic Perretta   1.47.29  21-04-2017   Charlottesville
 175   Brannon Kidder   1.47.36  8-06-2017   Vancouver