Yanomamo Nearly Take Over Tournament

When I relented and allowed a foursome to enter the tournament for the first time in the history of our event, I had no idea what forces I had unleashed. I first garnered the scorn of Founder and Keeper of the Beer, Clark Haley. My 2 yearly beers (one on Friday night and another after the first 9 holes of the tournament! Kelly O'Brien can verify) were placed in jeopardy. Only when the organizers realized how many extra entries it caused was my alcoholic allotment restored.

The Yanomamo foursome of Tim Backenstose, Campbell Lovett, Dave Spears and Bob Snyder ended up last in our tourney, but then golf isn't the best sporting outlet of The Fierce People. It is also their rainy season, making them underestimate the speed of the greens. Golfing with bows and arrows is also notoriously difficult.

It turns out that their were many more Yanomamo there than just this foursome. Three second generation tribesmen also joined us; Hunter Backenstose, Nate Lovett and Chris Snyder. I'm not positive about the status of Ian Smith or Seth Balkey, two other second generation participants. There is probably Yanomamo blood coursing in their veins too.

It also became apparent that I shared my foursome with 2 other Yanomamo adherents. Doug Kent and Kelly O'Brien have credentials that may even exceed the other foursome. Kelly was even there at the beginning of the Mifflin Mile (or what ever its called). There may even be a record of this with the campus police!

The Big Tent that is Penn State Track and Field Alumni Golf can easily accept any crazy group Penn State Track has ever accomadated, EVEN FROM THE NINETIES AND 00's!!

And I swear, Results will be coming some time soon! My day job isn't allowing me to blog according to my wishes. And Harry Smith needs to supply me with them, as my muddled intellect will mess them up, causing The Blog Laureate to berate me.

PSU Track Alum Goes to Broadway!

Well, almost anyway! 1979 Penn Relays Marathon champion Tim Backenstose will be starring in Calvary Fellowship Church's Christmas Extravaganza in Downingtown PA. Who knew what talents were hidden from the rest of us while at PSU? I dug up the photo of the finish of the race previously discussed on this blog, and also the order of finish, which is quite favorable to "good ole State".

1. Tim Backenstose PSU 2:22:14
2. Mark Stevenson U. S. Navy 2:24:32
3. Dave Patterson Shore A.C. 2:25:05
4. Remo Stirrat Iona College 2:26:26
5. Ed Tueras unaffiliated 2:28:46
6. Brad Althouse PSU 2:30:47
7. Pete Christ Plaisted Hall Harriers 2:31:21
8. Steve Schoenewald Williamstown NJ 2:32:21
9. Chris Winters Wash. DC 2:33:46
10. Dave Spears PSU 2:33:59 ("A"golfer, too!)
11. Don Uphouse PSU 2:34:06
12. Seth Bergman Plaisted Hall Harriers 2:34:38
13. Doug Kent PSU 2:35:49 (my roommate!)
14. Frank Goldcamp Athletic Attic 2:36:19
15. Dave Godin Bentley College 2:36:23
16. Keith Kemper Ursinus 2:36:45
17. David Baskwill PSU 2:37:14 (Doug Kent's roommate)
18. Don Ziter PSU 2:37:14 (sorry Don, they did list me first!)
19. Al Wolfe PSU 2:37:48 (anyone know where the Wolfe twins are?)
25. Rich Prann PSU 2:41:40 (or Rich?)

Anyone filming Tim's performance for the blog recieves reunion entries for life!

Penn Relays Athletes Come Out of the Woodwork!

Another blast from the past has made his presence known. Unfortunately, its another runner who beat me in the 1979 Penn Relays Marathon. Previously, Tim Backenstose and Dave Spears signed up for next year's Harry Groves Memorial Tourney. Don Ziter has golfed with us on several occasions, as has his wife, Lynne (at least she didn't beat me in the marathon!). Now, Brad Althouse has said hello from beautiful Utah. He may not be able to join us next year for golf, but he is interested. His reminisces of our memorable mountain runs are recounted on the message board.

When talking about the 1979 Penn Relays, it must be remembered that PSU won every college individual distance race that year! Tim won the marathon, Alan Scharsu won the 5,000 meters, Bruce Baden won the 3,000 meter SC, and John Ziegler won the 10,000 meters. PSU also accounted for about 1/2 of the first 30 finishers in the marathon. We also won the overall competition at The Cold Molsons, with many other athletes chipping in for the victory.

Penn Relays Watch Winner Joins Group!

The 70's barrier has been broken (just barely!) by 1979 Penn Relays Marathon Champion Tim Backenstose. He joins our humble cadre of former scholar-athletes with extreme enthusiasm. He promises to help entice others as well. His golf game is as good as mine, I am sure, so Balkey better watch out. He is awarded the coveted 50% off prize promised to the first from his decade to formally announce his candidacy for this coveted honor.

The half-price special still applies to the 90's guys (and I guess the 60's guys as well since Coach started in '68). Remember, we are also having a drawing for Gas Cards from the group of us that convinces a new member to join us. Maybe all meals will be covered while you are in State College and your transportation to and from also! I will wait to formally email the 90's guys until we figure out the exact dates, so please vote.

Also, it is noted that Clark Haley has finally joined the editorial staff here at the blog. His musings and organizational skills are sorely needed. Expect the prose here to soon improve!

Addendum: Dave Spears, an "A" golfer, also joined our ridiculous collection of pseudo-golfers today. Tim's bold and daring decision to take the leap might have had a lot to do with it. Dave will have to confirm, but if true, Tim is also eligible for the gas card drawing. The wonders of PSU Track and Field Alumni Golf never cease!

Addendum II: Congrats to former Harry Groves Memorial Tourney golfer Ryan Olkowski, who came in 11th in the decathlon at the Olympic Trials. We are still waiting for the rest of his foursome to show up!