Bringing Home The Hardware

Florida seemed to be the only place on the Eastern US without snow and freezing temperatures last weekend.  And Dave Zeiters used the opportunity to represent us in the Florida Senior Games.  He brought home 2 silvers and a bronze even though they didn't have his best event, the hurdles!

Still Another First Hand Account Of "The Race"

We have had previous remembrances of The Race before, from Randy Moore and Steve Shisler. Here's another remembrance of that specific race from David Zeiters, who had just finished his Sprint Medley race and was with Coach Groves along the wall.  Dave even managed to take some pics of the aftermath with one of those old-fashioned film cameras the kids today know nothing about!  Thanks for letting me steal all of this to make the blog with it all more complete!

Vance Watson, Steve Shisler and Chris Mills.

I'm actually in this pic in the first row near the orange guy!

Vance Watson and Randy Moore. "Give me that baton!"

"Thirty years ago today, I saw one of the greatest track events in my life when the Penn State men’s 4x 800m relay team won at the 1985 Penn Relays with the best time in the world that year! A smoking 7:11.17!I had just finished my 200m leg in the Sprint Medley relay race, grabbed my sweats, and rushed back out to the track to watch the highly anticipated men’s 4x800m relay race. We all knew we had great 800m runners and it would be a good race. I ended up standing on top of the back of a bench leaning up against the north brick wall next to Coach Groves. I remember Coach with his Spiked Shoe ball cap on had his notebook and stop watch ready to call out the splits. Vance Watson was our first leg and started the race. I remember Coach yelling, “let’s go Vance!” After a great first leg, Vance handed the baton off to Steve Shisler in first place. As Steve rounded the first turn in front of us Coach yelled “beat’m to the curve Steve!” Steve ran a blazing second leg and handed off the baton still in first place to our young freshman stud, Chris Mills. All the while Coach is barking out split times for Judy or Joe to write down. Chris just went out and ran probably his best 800m split of the year. Chris finished a strong leg and handed off to our All-American 800m runner, Randy Moore. Then it happened. It was one of those perfect runs you maybe see a few times in your lifetime. Randy busted out an unbelievable 800! As he fought off the Georgetown runner on the last lap down the straight a way we were screaming our lungs out until he crossed the finish line in first place. I looked over to Coach and he had this elated amazed look on his face and said, “my God he ran a 1:45.”As the four guys started their victory lap, I grabbed my camera and snapped some pictures as they jogged past us. I was standing by Coach and remember Vance yelling over to him, “Coach we did it!” I saw Coach have a tear in his eyes and a smile from ear to ear. I have never seen Coach happier. Thirty years ago today."

 
-David Zeiters.

Life After 50 Doesn't Need To Be a Hurdle

Dave Zeiters still has it.  And I'm not just talking about his PSU smarts!  I mean his mad hurdling skills after all these years.  Here's Dave skimming the barriers at the recent Florida Sunshine Games. Here on vacation in WV the only event like that I've seen is the roadkill cooking contest. Contestants must first retrieve the varmints from the roadway by dodging pick-up truck traffic.

David Zeiters Still Has It!

I honestly never could make it over a high hurdle.  I did do a few Steeplechases and most often quick-tapped the barriers (not stepping on them fully).  That was hard enough at age 17 to 20.  What Dave Zeiters does here is rather amazing.  I told him he needs an Alumni Singlet also!



And remember Bob Osterhoudt at this year's Alumni Reunion, at age 70!

PSU Track Alumni HS Coaches (with more Progeny!)

Steve Shisler and David Zeiters have taken their Penn State experiences to the next level, coaching the younger set including their own speedsters.  Dave coaches in sunny Florida, while Steve ended up coaching the Little Lions in State College.  That's Dave on the left side with his son Michael, and at various stages of his PSU career and with Coach Groves.  Steve's 4 x 800 will be headed to Penn. The team is on the right, along with a fairly good squad to emulate and Steve's father Earl at Penn Relays!