The "Alumni-Singlet" Is Always Appreciated

3 First team All-Americans for the Nittany Lion Men in 2023!

• Tyler Merkley in the Hammer Throw.   7th with 237' 6"
• Evan Dorenkamp in the 1500M.         8th in 3:44.2   (3:40.34 in Semi-Final)
• Handal Roban in the 800M                 3rd in 1:45.95

And again, the Nittany Lions chose the "Alumni-Singlet like" tops for the events on the Final Day!  This is always great and appreciated by us old-timers.  The singlets were originally invented by Dennis Pollow and have taken off in a big way. 

 

Quick Poll:  Do the Alumni Singlets improve the performance of wearers?

• Yes, of course they do.
• No, are you crazy?
  

Blazing Lions

Well, blazer Lions to be accurate.

The awards jackets for Lettermen have certainly changed over the years, even if the Varsity "S" blankets haven't.

Greg Fredericks, circa 1969.

Larry Mangan and Mine, 1978.

Dennis Pollow, 2010.

I Had Nothing For Today

I really couldn't come up with anything for a post today, and no one has sent me anything of interest in awhile (Hint, hint...).  So I went to the Intertubes again to steal a vacation photo from someone else.  I hope they don't mind.

Tim "Grizzly" Johnson and Dennis Pollow on top of Pike's Peak.

I'm Always Going To Be Outdone By The Youngsters

My vacation in nearby Harpers Ferry was scenic and tranquil (miserable internet sees to that!), but leave it to our younger set to outdo my vacation in a big way. Here are my favorite vacation spots for running.

Tim Johnson, Owen Dawson and Kyle Dawson headed west to meet Dennis Pollow for a tour of the western states.  Here's some of their photos I have stolen from various sources.  I don't think they will mind.

Kyle Dawson, Owen Dawson and Tim Johnson. Apparently they have been running!

Some Excellent July 4th Fireworks

There were PSU Track Alumni (Golfers) in action all over yesterday highlighted by the great performances at The Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta.

Kara (Milhouse) Foster, left, 9th in Women's Elite.

$1250 for 6.2 miles!

Tyler McCandless, 8th in Elite Mens. (PRs at 5K and 10K)

$1500 for 29 minutes work.

Dawson Inc. at the Philly Zoo.

CoBlogger Matt Groves, at places unknown!

Director of Fun Teddy Quinn at the Firecracker 5K.

Dennis Pollow in Bergen NY.

And I'm finally home from West Virginia...

The 40 Mile Wall

Plenty of our readers have run marathons, experiencing the pain of the last 6.2 miles. How many know what it feels like to drop out 40 miles into a race due to the onset of hypothermia? Dennis Pollow (class of 2009) knows what it feels like after his experience in the Old Pueblo 50 Mile Endurance Run this past weekend. According to the article, a rain storm with flash flooding on parts of the 50 mile course caused many runners to be left unaccounted for. To make things worse someone cut out 30 miles of trail markings. Luckily Dennis and all others were eventually tracked down and all body parts remained in tact. No limbs lost to frostbite.

From a 50K last year.



Dennis dropped me on a run/hike (he ran I hiked) up Mount Timpanogos when I was out West last summer. Starting at 7,000 feet and going up to the 10,000 feet. We didn't make it to the top which would have been over 11,700 feet due to time and daylight constraints. Honestly, I was just glad I survived a casual training run for the Great Sphinx.

Couldn't keep up.



A Long Way to Run: And More Singlets in Action

photo by Mark Hawkins

Dennis Pollow traveled all the way from Arizona, where he goes to Grad School to compete in the Invitational heat of the Mile at the Penn State National.  Looking good the whole time in his Alumni Singlet.  (Orders will begin for the next shipment of Alumni Singlets next week.)

And here's the promised photos of the Fuller Bros. rabbiting the big races!

  photo by Mark Hawkins. 

Brian Fuller! With Owen Dawson in close pursuit.

photo by Mark Hawkins.

Kevin Fuller!  That's Ricky West in third and Za'Von Watkins in 4th. PSU is 800 U.

"A Very Good First Day"

Here's some updates on the Watch List of PSU entries in the Penn Relays:

1. Mens Championship of America Sprint Medley Relay - Returning Champions!
2. Mens Championship of America 4 x 800 - My favorite event  (Longest standing Event Record at Penn)
3. Mens Championship of America 4 x 400 - The Quintessential Track Event.
4. Womens Championship of America Distance Medley Relay - A School Record Coming? Update:  3rd Place and a School Record! 

   11:08.41

   Rebekka Simko (3:23.0), Ijeoma Iheoma (52.8), Marta Klebe (2:09.8), Kara Millhouse (4:42.8)

5. Womens Championship Javelin - PSU is Javelin U. Update: Lauren Kenney First Place

   48.99m (160-8)  And a Watch!  Laura Loht  3rd 46.09m (151-2)

6. Women's Championship Hammer - Leading Thrower in the Big Ten!  Update:  Melissa Kurzdorfer  for the Win! And a Watch!
   

   62.53m (205-1)

7. Mens Champiopnship Shot Put - A strong duo.

And in addition there were plenty of PR's on the track at distance night!

• Womens 3000M SC  -   Emily Giannotti 2nd Place College Division 10:28.82,   Abbie Benson 5th Place College Division 10:35.5,  Natalie Bower 2nd in Championship Heat 10:14.27, Lindsey Graybill 7th in Championship Division 10:29.97.
• Mens 5000M  -  Kyle Dawson 6th in Championship Division 14:04.36, Vince McNally 8th in Championship Division 14:06.94, Chris Cipro 19th in Championship Division 14:30.43, Matt Fischer 24th in Champuionship Division 14:38.42,  Alums: Dennis Pollow Jr 6th in Olympic Development Division 14.26.68.
• Mens 10000M  -  Tom Luff 18th in Championship Division 30:36.77 Alums: Tyler McCandless 10th in Olympic Development Division 30:33.64.

World Record Attempt of 1,000 Mile Relay (Yea, You Read That Right!)

To honor Kevin Dare on the 10th anniversary of his tragic accident in August, ten Penn State Track Alums and friends will attempt to shatter the existing record for a 1,000 Mile Relay.  The 10 runners are a who's who of runners affiliated with Penn State, and I wouldn't bet against them!  Having once run a 24-Hr. Relay, I know that they are in for a wild ride.  This will take significantly longer, and the logistics of the course adds complexity to the equation.  I hope to speak with a few of the runners soon to learn more of the attempt. Teddy Quinn will act as their media consultant. Check out the Web Site for more.

The runners:

1. Luke Watson - PSU grad student and honorary PSU Track Alum Golfer
2. Brian Sell - 2008 Olympic Marathoner
3. Dennis Pollow - veteran Grand Canyon Rim to Rim (twice!)
4. Chris Cipro - Two-Year PSU Captain
5. Vince McNally - 4-time NCAA Cross Country Qualifier
6. Kyle Dawson - Three Year PSU Captain
7. Ryan Foster - Our Group's Singlet Supplier! (More on that to come.)
8. Brian Fuller - Continues his career despite also entering The Real World!
9. Owen Dawson - 800 M All-American (PSU is 800 U)
10. Tyler McCandless - 10K All-American

Alumni Singlets Singe Sin City!

Dennis Pollow and Brian Fuller continued their scintillating season sporting their singlets in Sin City this past weekend at the Las Vegas Rock n Roll Half Marathon.

Brian Fuller Rocks the Alumni Singlet in Philadelphia

When my day job allows, I plan on working on having another sale of Penn State Track Alumni Singlets originally brought to us by Dennis Pollow.  Since he has left State College, Dennis can't do the legwork on the next batch, for which there has been some clamoring.  I haven't decided on who I'm going to ask to help make arrangements.  If there are any volunteers in State College, let me know.  (Don't all rush to the internet at once guys...)

Brian Fuller, despite being gainfully employed full time, enjoyed a great run at the Philadelphia Half-Marathon this weekend.  His 1:07:10 is "a great time in a great city" as we always said when we lived there.  Tyler McCandless bounced back from his Hawaiian Marathon victory with a spirited 1:04:57 after just several weeks.  He says his secret is living good, but I found that not to work in the past, so there must be something else!  I don't think he sported an alumni singlet however.  We can't afford the professional fees involved with that!

Remember, fellow PSU Track alum (redacted) set the American Record at this race in the early 80's, so I suppose PSU is starting to develop a reputation at this race.  High Jumper Paul Souza and his Velveteen Playboys were slated to perform at last year's finish line (it's a Rock N Roll Race!), but had to cancel at the last minute.

What's Your Excuse (Part 4, 5, and 6)?

Ed Whitlock, the 80 year-old Canadian (eh!), shattered the Marathon World Record in Rotterdam with his 3:25:40.  That was my goal pace when I last ran a marathon in 1997, at less than half his age.  (I missed it, too.)  I'll dedicate my next donut and Tim Horton's coffee to him.

And 2 Penn State Track Alumni Golfers continued their amateur exploits in remarkable style recently.  Mark Hawkins who will golf with us for the first time this year, won a Pittsburgh 5 K (50-59 y.o.) in 17:54. (!)  He finished 16th overall.

Manhattan-resident Phil Passen traveled to his native Philadelphia, where he flexed his Master's wings in a 5K, finishing first in his age group and 3rd overall! It almost makes we want to start getting serious again.  Almost.

Soon both will be wearing their new Penn State Track Alumni Singlets in races, courtesy of Dennis Pollow and the rest of the exuberant recent graduates' inclusion of us "old-timers" in their group.  Mine will probably be strictly for show, although maybe I'll unveil it at the upcoming Alumni "Run" during the Reunion Weekend. Rusty boots, for sure.

Alumni Singlets AND T-Shirts

A Nike Dri-Fit T-Shirt has been added to the mix by Dennis Pollow, (now designated The Official Team Outfitter of PSU Track Alumni Golf!)  The printing will be identical (I assume with the old-school "S" on the back also).  This will enable us old-timers to rock the classic look without showing too much of our softer side, so to speak!  Costs will be around $35.  If interested let Dennis know at dpollow@gmail.com.  I'm getting one of each.  You never know when a comeback will happen.  Just ask Mark Hawkins!

Penn State Track/XC Alumni Singlets

The recent alums sported these in the recent Penn State National Cross Country Race, and looked sharp doing it.

Any of us can get in on the ground floor and purchase one this upcoming Spring.  Dennis Pollow will place a new order for them and is opening up the store for all to enjoy!

If you are like me, and too stupid to somehow come up with a singlet as a keepsake before graduation (and you know who you are!), this will be a suitable replacement.  And legal too!

Contact Dennis at dpollow@gmail.com for information. Costs will be around $35.  I'll be ordering my '81 XL, and so should you.

The Harry Groves Golf Tournament and Reunion Set to Grow Exponentially in Its Tenth Year: And is Coach Groves the Black Knight?

High level meetings were held this weekend following the Penn State National Cross-Country Meet between top officials of Penn State Track and Field Alumni Golf and representatives of The Nittany Lion Club and The Varsity "S" Club.  Actually, I talked to both group idol Ken Brinker and Mike Milliron of the Varsity "S" Club at the reception at Damon's following the race.  High level meetings sounded so much better!

One of the great benefits of having thrown myself into "the herding of cats" by blogging about all things PSU Track and XC, is the great people I have met along the way.  No other group I have ever been associated with has more intelligent members, more interesting members and more passionate members.  Ken and Mike both fit that description.  In our wide-ranging discussions it became evident that the Athletic Department is thrilled with what our little group has accomplished with our meager resources.  From our founding by Clark Haley and continuing with great leadership under Harry Smith and others, our group has always given 100% of our proceeds back to the program, and they have noticed.  The resources of the Varsity "S" Club and Nittany Lion Club will be utilized to reach out to all 1500 members of the PSU Track Alumni (second only to Football in numbers) through email and newsletters.  Members of both groups and the Athletic Department are poised to golf with us this year.  They asked whether we could handle 30 foursomes this year!  We can always dream.  Participation this year will bring automatic inclusion in both groups, as we already designate all our proceeds toward the endowments for Track and Field/Cross-Country scholarships.  There may come a time when the track and xc programs are completely self-funded (like the new Hockey Program!).  If monetary donations are not in the cards for you (I can certainly understand!), enthusiasm and participation is all that is asked of you.  We are a group that accepts all members, and everyone is treated to the same level of loving ridicule as Olympians, All-Americans, or plain shlubs like me.

And in keeping with the mirthful theme of our group, I must present some interesting observations about the recent Penn State National XC Meet.  I had been unaware of the changes to the course made in the last few years, and was taken aback by the inclusion of a narrow bridge along the course. (I'm all for it, by the way!)  And when evidence of grievous bodily injury to 2 Alumni Team members due to a mishap near the half-mile mark, I assumed a guardian at the bridge was restricting passage. Now, photographic evidence has emerged showing  Coach Groves somewhere along the route near the bridge prior to the start.  Could it be that Coach Groves is actually The Black Knight of Monty Python fame, and "None Shall Pass" (at least without a fight)*? I'm more intrigued by the fact that the two have never been photographed together.
 Photos include the Alumni Team with Coach Sullivan, the infamous bridge and Coach Groves somewhere along the course...

*Coach Groves is certainly not The Black Knight and no disrespect was intended with the joking speculation.  Everyone knows that Coach is a White Knight in all matters.

Photos courtesy of Dennis Pollow and Teddy Quinn.

"None Shall Pass" (Actually, Only a Couple Did)

One against the men and 2 against the women.  It was a good showing at the Penn State National Invitational Cross-Country Meet at PSU this weekend.  A large number of quality teams participated in the event with the Men coming in second and the Women coming in third.

The finish of the Mens race was quite exciting with Kyle Dawson and Vince McNally (both Juniors!)  accelerating from the trailing pack to place second and third respectively.  All the scoring runners are improving each race, with the MIDDLE DISTANCE runners astounding everyone with their distance prowess.  Syracuse took the Mens title, trailed by PSU and Villanova, all ranked teams.

The Womens race was equally exciting with PSU placing third to Villanova and Syracuse.  PSU had a great spread of only :24 seconds.  Sophomore Brooklynne Ridder paced the squad with her 20th place finish.

In my long absence from the college XC scene I was not aware that it has become a contact sport.  Somewhere after the half mile mark there is apparently a bridge with a Black Knight not allowing passage without a fight!  A large number of participants were felled by the Knight. Two on the Alumni Team were bloodied in the melee.  I'm not aware of anyone still missing, but it certainly looks awful compared to the genteel sport I was familiar with.  We only attained marks like this when working out in Rec Hall!

  "It's Only a Flesh Wound!"

Despite starting in the very last corral (near Park Forest). the Alumni team of Dennis Pollow, Brian Fuller, Teddy Quinn, Cody Edling, Kevin Fuller, and Tim Johnson beat the Pitt Panthers and 4 other teams with their 22nd place team finish. They all looked resplendent with their Letterman Jackets at the alumni reception at our usual Damon's Haunt afterward.  I had offered my services as a 7th man, but officials would not allow my walker on the course.  I bring you this unique perspective on a XC start instead:

And here is footage smuggled in from the half-mile mark by brave survivors.  Let's hope the woods are rid of the riff-raff by the time of the NCAA Regionals!


And here are photos of current Letterman Jackets along with my size 34",  "Old School" model!