A Thirty-One Mile Traipse Through The Woods

This weekend's track exploits were boring, so we had to travel to the most desolate western section of Virginia for a post.  It also happens to be the highest elevations of the state.

Our Erwin Shroedinger Endowed Chair for Advanced Physics (simultaneously our Official Physicist and NOT our Official Physicist) Ron Moore ran in the Grayson Highlands 50K.  He placed third overall and the second Male.  4:59:54 at 5,429 feet of elevation!  (That's 9:39/mile on mountainous trails at altitude!)

He continues to spread the word of his sponsor, Apple Hill Podiatry, to the animals on the trails of the eastern USA.

Daughter the Younger

 And a shout out to Coach Fritz Spence on teaching Daughter the Younger how to hurdle at a Day Camp from PSU coaches back in the Alford-Sullivan era.  Her technique is awesome.

Fit For Fritz: A Guest Post From The Team

The recent story about the near miraculous finding of Fritz Spence's ring by a friend and co-worker at my surgery center has expanded the reach of the blog to a new audience and become the biggest post in the last year.

But behind it all is the miracle and good news of Fritz Spence himself.  Megan McCloskey, a current high jumper for the Nittany Lions is spearheading the efforts to help other families that find themselves in situations that Fritz has now faced twice.

My name is Megan McCloskey, and I am a senior high jumper on the Penn State Track & Field team. I am reaching out to you all to share some information on PSUTF’s main fundraiser each year, Fit For Fritz. If you still keep up with the team, you may be familiar with these fundraising efforts for our beneficiary, The American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge.

Back in December 2008, Coach Fritz Spence (Women’s Jumps & Multis) was diagnosed with leukemia. After receiving treatment, and remaining cancer free for almost 5 years, Coach Spence relapsed in July of 2013. At this time, PSUTF athletes came together to help raise money for Coach Spence and his family. This ultimately became known as the Fit For Fritz Walk-a-Thon. This fundraiser meant everything to the Spence family during their difficult time.

Along with the help of the track & field team, the Hershey Hope Lodge provided Coach Spence and his family a place to stay for free while he was undergoing treatment.  Today, Coach Spence is healthy and looking to give back and help out others who are going through what he and his family went through. This is why we continue Fit For Fritz as an annual event, 4 years later.

We have 2 main goals for Fit For Fritz:
    1) Raise money for our beneficiary, The American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge, in Hershey PA  We raised $11,700 last year. Our goal this year is $13,000.
    2) Get students and community members registered for the bone marrow registry through our partner, Be The Match.

Our 5th Annual Fit For Fritz event will be held November 5, 2017 from 11am-3pm at the indoor track. As part of this event, we will be hosting a 1 mile community walk, along with fitness challenges, karaoke, raffles, and more. We invite you to join us that day and help us support such an honorable and important cause. You can register for the walk through this link: https://goo.gl/forms/ajgfn96TFYsCShlb2 (no registration fee -- just suggested donation!)

If you are unable to attend, but would still like to show your support, we encourage you to visit our donation website, where you can make a general donation to the event, or donate under a current PSUTF athlete's page (by clicking on the list of participants in blue).

For more information on Fit For Fritz, check out our website, where you can read Coach Spence’s story, which he wrote himself.

Please also feel free to follow Fit For Fritz on social media, through the following links:
    our Twitter account 
    our Facebook page
   
We are very excited about Fit For Fritz this year, and hope you will help us make a difference for individuals and families battling cancer.

Thanks so much!

Megan McCloskey

One Ring To Bind Them...

Three rings for the Elven-kings under the sky,
Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,
Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die,
One of the Dark Lord on his dark throne
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.

Just last week I referenced the One ring to rule them all (2017 Mens Big Ten title ring).  Now I get to reference the One ring to bind them all (I suppose the "darkness and shadows" refers to the hiding place of the ring in the State Forest...) Yeah, it's a JRR Tolkien reference for you non-nerds out there...

Sometimes I get lucky.  I especially like it when I have a post handed to me for the blog which is better than anything that my meager mind can create.  And this one is 100% unvarnished Truth!
This ring binds Penn State Track and Field with another part of my life, Apple Hill Surgery Center!  I have been fortunate enough to have worked at the finest Surgical Center in America for the past 30 years. (Don't forget my Special this month on Pumpkin Spice Bunionectomies!)  When A-Team Nurse Sheila Powers told me this tale about her parents, I was amazed.  But when she showed me the pic of the owner, I was practically floored! 

Anyway, here's the story from Sheila, as verified by her parents...

September 17: Bill and Diane Amick from Halifax, Pa were visiting Bald Eagle State Park for their end of summer camping trip. The couple enjoys to camp and explore campgrounds using their metal detectors.

September 20th the couple was metal detecting along the area directly surrounding the lake. Diane was near a paved walkway when her metal detector registered a 'hit'. To Diane's surprise and delight, two inches in the soil she unearthed a ring! The ring was not immediately recognizable due to the soil that filled and covered its inscriptions. Upon a soap and water bath they were able to see what she discovered. She had, in her possession, a beautiful 2008 Big Ten, Top 4, Track and Field Penn State ring with the name of 'Spence' engraved on the outside and 'Fritz Spence' engraved on the inside. The only damage to the ring was the hole for the finger was not perfectly round.
September 21st they departed Bald Eagle State Park for another leg of their camping trip and on

September 26th they ended their memorable vacation and returned to their respective home. Bill and Diane were excited to try to find the owner of this ring. They utilized the internet (for the greater good) and were able to determine that the owner of this ring was still a coach for the track and field Penn State team!!

September 27, Bill and Diane called the phone number that was listed in the Penn State directory and to their delight Coach Spence answered!
They quickly explained the reason for calling and were pleased about his mutual excitement! Coach Spence and the Amicks agreed to a meeting at the home of Bill and Diane the next afternoon.

Never for a moment, did Diane think of anything but finding and returning her most prized discovery to its rightful owner. Along the way, the Amicks were inspired by the young man and his story of survival and life accomplishments! Diane returned Coach Spence's ring to him and they both wore the biggest, most grateful smiles. They shared social time together over snacks and coffee that filled the hearts of this retired couple. They were thrilled to do something nice for such an exceptional person whom they now revere as a friend.

Dave...if you would like to clear facts and hear vantage point with Coach Spence about any of this, please do. He told my parents that he thought he might have lost his ring 5 years prior at the lake playing football with his son...but wasn't certain that he had worn it that day. He also said that this particular ring although 1 of 9, was very special because it was his first.
Thank you so much for spreading some positivity in this crazy world!

And don't forget Fit For Fritz!

Four More Awards

The Mid-Atlantic Region of the USTFCCCA has recognized 4 Nittany Lions for Outdoor Track and Field Yearly Honors.

• Head Coach of the year,  John Gondak
• Track Athlete of the Year, Isaiah Harris
• Mens Assistant Coach of the Year, Lucais MacKay
• Womens Assistant Coach of the Year, Fritz Spence

And all are on an all-expense paid trip to Tracktown USA! (Actually, they are in Eugene for the NCAA Finals on Wednesday through Saturday.)

Fit For Fritz A Success

A walkathon and Dodgeball were the highlights, and over $10,000 was raised for the Hope House in Hershey.  Well done.

Fit For Fritz

Our reporters were there for the dodgeball action, and smuggled this footage out past the Drone Police guarding the complex.

Be Fit For Fritz On Sunday!

Coach Fritz Spence has battled AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia) not once, but twice. And now he has lent his name to an event to raise money for the Hope Lodge, a sanctuary for families helping to battle the rare blood disorder in Hershey PA.

You can help.  Stop by the Ashenfelter Indoor Complex on Sunday between 10:00AM and 1:00PM.

Fit For Fritz

 

Back In Black!

'Cause I'm back
Yes, I'm back
Well, I'm back
Yes, I'm back
Well, I'm back, back
Well, I'm back in black
Yes, I'm back in black

I have finally made it in front of a computer for a real post!  It was either the Zithromax or the Kung Pao combination of shrimp and chicken that has brought me back from the dead.  My money is on the Kung Pao, as you all know.

Many things have piled up in the meantime, and I'm still procrastinating on the 800M thing and the interview with Olympian Darrell Hill.  There's no end to the stuff piling up around me.

Some items of interest:

• Coach Bill Preston's PSU Mont Alto Women won the PSUAC conference championships. And both of his Men were first team All-Conference.  All of his runners will be headed to the USCAA Nationals in Virginia Beach.  Congrats from his biggest fan.
• I missed the meet because I was in bed, so didn't get to fly Airship 800U to bring aerial views of the whole thing.  Pretty disappointed, but didn't really have a chance.
• The PSU squads are warming up for the Big Ten Championships right now!  Good luck.
• Our Laundry Officer has reminded me to put the Fit For Fritz event on the blog!

Coach Fritz Spence, center, is a better golfer than I.

A Friend In Need, Is a Friend Indeed: or My Day in Happy Valley

It was a whirlwind of 24 hours from start to finish, and I was admittedly at less than my best.  And my best isn't usually that good!  But I'll attempt to bring you the highlights of my travels through the Alumni World of PSU Cross Country.

First up, we must discuss the herculean efforts that are being made by members of our group in helping Coach Groves rehabilitate from his pneumonia and broken ribs.  I can't fathom better friends than Roger "Gunny" Roll*  and Greg Fredericks, who have spent endless hours with Coach and helped him with all his daily tasks AND MORE.  Each an every one of us owe them a thank you for what they continue to do.  These efforts show the very best of Track Alumni Golfers and humanity itself.  I can't say enough in praise of them.

Roger "Gunny" Roll manned the finish line at the PSU National.

My family visited Coach for a 1/2 hour and we enjoyed a spirited talk about many topics.  I think he would appreciate a visit from all his athletes.  They apparently boost his efforts at rehab.  Those who have broken a rib know the pain involved.  Throw pneumonia on top of that and you can understand the poor hand he was dealt.  Gunny and Greg are there constantly motivating him to get better, much as he did with each and every one of us.

Second, I got to talk with many alums before and during the Penn State National Cross Country Meet.  Despite the early rain, the day turned out to be quite nice.  I spoke with several friends while at the meet, always a highlight of the day.

I got to congratulate Coach Gondak on his new duties.

The Skerpons, Robbin and Don, stopped by to see my daughter run! They haven't changed in 30 years.

John McGraw took time away from Field Hockey to watch the meet!

Former foursome teammate Coach Fritz Spence.

The meet itself was anti-climatic, as both the men and women held out top runners for next week's Pre-National Invitational in Terre Haute, Indiana.  With the reduced number of runners the Division I race was merged with the PSUAC Championships (The Penn State University Branch Campus Conference).  The Alumni team, defending champs, cobbled together a team at the last minute with Brian Fuller leading them with a 5th place finish.

The Alumni Team gets ready.

Brian Fuller places fifth overall for the Alumni team.

The PSUAC Championships were for the PSU Branch Campuses across the state.  Penn State Scranton won both team titles.  The newest team from Mont Alto managed 2 first team All-Conference runners and one second team All-Conference runner.  Martha Baskwill placed 7th in the 6K earning a trip to the USCAA Nationals in Syracuse in November.  Joining her for the trip will be the mens 4th place finisher in the 5.2 mile run, Joe Fletcher.  In addition, boxer and MMA fighter James McKeithen placed 13th.  James had no prior competitive running experience prior to last year.  The 27 year old does have a history of 2 tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, though.  One tough runner who has improved with every run of the year.

Joe Fletcher, PSU Mont Alto, 4th.

James McKeithen, right.  don't pick a fight with this runner!

Martha Baskwill, aka Daughter the Elder, conquers the White Course hill to finish 7th.

*People have pointed out that the Label for Gunny has 3 "l's" at the end, which was an error in the initial typing.  I have decided to not go back and change each and every example of it.  The third "l" now stands for "Loyal".  Thanks Gunny, for your service to Coach and to the Nation.

A Reason to Train. And Don't Forget Fritz!

Some of us Over-The -Hill types (or am I the only one?) sometimes need motivation and a reason to "train".  This bloke from Jolly Ole provides one such reason.  He ran down a shoplifter and made him return his stolen goods.*

"We can do this all day."  

And don't forget about Fritz Spence's fight against leukemia.  There are multiple ways to help.  Fit for Fritz  and the Fritz Spence Project 

It looks like Fritz will have a bone-marrow transplant soon.  Prayers and good wishes also will help. You can also be the answer for someone else in the future.  Learn how to become a bone-marrow donor. And as always, I must point out that Fritz is a much better golfer than I.

*Hat-tip to Lindsay Pino for the link!

Update on Fritz Spence

People from all over, including members of the Penn State Track and Field Alumni Golfers group have stepped up big time for the Coach Fritz Spence Project.

Fritz has started his initial treatments.  Let's hope the worst part of it is being holed-up in Hershey!

Participate in any way you can.  Even just a prayer may be the most powerful thing in the world.

Coach Spence is still a way better golfer than I.

Help Out One of Our Own

I had the pleasure of getting to know Coach Fritz Spence on the golf course this year.  I was looking forward to him coaching my daughter next week at PSU's Track Camp, trying to make her into the decathlete I could never be.  But at this time he is back in Hershey's Medical Center with a recurrence of his Leukemia, 5 years following his successful bone marrow transplant.

I can't tell you how sad I feel about this.  My hope is that my dozens of readers will respond with whatever means they have to make things better.  A simple prayer goes a long way.  Positive vibes, a card or even a monetary contribution can also help.

Cards and good wishes to:  

Coach Fritz Spence

3186 Shellers Bend

State College, PA 16801

Monetary Contributions to:

The Fritz Spence Project

Coach Spence is a better golfer than I.

Let's show Coach Spence what it means to be a PSU Track Alumni Golfer.

My Foursome: A Gimp, a Limp, a Simp and a......

Mike McCahill, Coach Fritz Spence, Tim Johnson and Your Humble Host being photographed by Digital Archive Goddess Kay Warfel. Photo by Mark Hawkins.

I really do need to take lessons.  This was the worst I have ever played.  With no Mulligans, putting strings or other gimmicks, the scramble format exposed my pink under-belly of golfing talent and led to a frustrating afternoon of thrashing and wailing after little white balls.  I'm happy I pay about 25 cents apiece for the little dimpled orbs, as I left quite a few on the grounds of the Mountain View Country Club (formerly the Elks Club Course).


The greens were fast and somehow tilted more than they used to be.  But it was good to see the course in such good shape otherwise.  At least after you slice your shot 2 fairways to the right, you have a splendid view of either Nittany Mountain or Ski Mont (or whatever they call it nowadays!). I didn't even have any "cheater golf balls" left over from previous years. (These balls are slightly smaller than real ones, and have more dimples.  They supposedly were supposed to give me an extra 10 yards on my 150 yard drives.  As if any would ever notice!). Our group started out with 8 straight bogeys, a feat hard to do in the scramble format.  We were truly horrible at first.  But then, something clicked, and we played the last 10 holes at one-under par, right on pace with the best foursomes in our 9 foursome tourney.

My only good shot was 30 foot putt that I made with a twice-bent blade putter from the 1950s.  Several others may have recognized this club, as it was frequently in the extra bag people needed in previous years.  And it was once left on a green and retrieved by a generous alum who could have easily pitched it into the can as a club no one would ever want. It now has putter cover and has been renamed Billy Berue.

The Limp was Mike McCahill who hurt his calf muscle by picking up a golf ball while practicing putting.  I'm not making that up.  He played well despite the increasing limp during the round and I saved him from next-day incapacity by dispensing him some Celebrex after the round, a drug which gave Ken Brinker the ability to retire early to Florida and enjoy the good life. (You're welcome , Ken!)  Mike is a long-term member of our group.  I think he's only missed one Coach Groves Tournament.

The Gimp was Tim Johnson who suffered a debilitating "groin pull" recently playing ultimate frisbee.  I'm not making that up.  He was hoping continued golfing would improve his condition, which may or may not have happened.  Tim also played well at times, but we could tell the groin was holding him back.  I know the feeling, even after 30 some years. I had a groin-pull from fencing class at PSU gym class.  Yeah, I'm that dumb, which brings us to......

The Simp is me, of course.  As one of only 2 or 3 golfers to have braved this tourney every year, you would think I would learn my lesson and either take lessons or give up the game.  A Simp never learns...

The fourth in our group was Coach Fritz Spence.  He even agreed to be The Wimp to make things somewhat complete, but I don't have the heart to follow through with calling him that.  It doesn't fit at all, and neither does Blimp, Primp or Shrimp.  I was happy to share the cart with him as I set up my 7th grader's PSU Track Camp visit to spend time with him as the Women's Multi-Event Coach.  It was a pleasure to meet him and as a Bahamian who knows Mike Sands, I have hope he can help set up our dream of a Winter Coach Groves Golf Tourney in the Bahamas.  I'll bet we can get at least 2 foursomes for Paradise.

I've Been Next to Last Many Times

8)   Ken Brinker, Paul McLaughlin, Fritz Spence, Robert Szeyller (+8)

A day on the golf course is better than any day at work, as far as I can tell!

Foursome #4

Coach Fritz Spence braved the soggy conditions of the Elks Club Course with teammates Todd Leggett, Beth Shisler and one-armed Gary Black.  The four of them had some ups and some downs during the round, but the near-miss hole-in-one on Number 9 by Beth Shisler topped the day.  Statistically, the 40 of us yearly golfers have about a 1:80 chance for a hole-in-one during a round.  In other words, with the ten years we've put in, we are due for one in the next 70 years!  And remember, a rank amateur has about the same odds as a seasoned professional for a hole-in-one.  We got that going for us.