Sticking Together By Staying Apart

My practice continues for patients at risk, including diabetics, ulcer patients, infections and post-ops.  This puts me at some risk even while following all the mandates, rules and dictates from those in charge.

When I saw a fellow PSU Track Alum and Health Care Provider chipping in by making masks at home, I asked for a couple.  Thanks to the never-ending skillset of Jake Bartholomy, I have a nice mask I wear when out and about and over my N95 at the office. I use UV lights to sterilize it regularly.  My wife has another for her work in Harrisburg where she is more at risk.  Thanks Jake!



 

An Unorthodox Way To Try For A Performance Of The Year Award

I have always said that you can win our annual award for anything, not just performances on the Track or Field or Cross Country Course.  Well, Doug Walter took me at my word and has a very fine performance to add to this year's voting.

Doug grew up in Chambersburg, PA with his Uncle Nephew* Nate Miller more like a brother than an uncle nephew. With Nate having recent health problems, Doug has jumped in and donated a portion of his liver to Nate in a recent surgery (or series of surgeries) at John Hopkins Hospital.  Anyone who knows even a little bit about this surgery knows it is not to be taken lightly.  Nate endured at least three surgeries totaling more than 24 hours.  Doug is just getting back on his feet after several days.  My prayers are with them both.  Doug, you get an automatic entry in this year's Performance of the Year!

Doug and Nate, preop.

Doug Walter, postop.

Thanks to Jake Bartholomy for alerting me to this story.   * Brian Boyer reports that Nate is Doug's nephew.  This blog wouldn't be what it is unless I get basic facts wrong!

We Always Said It, But The 90s Guys Codified It

It has been a joke since the very first students attending the land-grant farmer's high school that became our alma mater.  With the electric chair housed at nearby Rockview Prison, the moniker became even more funnier after Penn State became a University.

State Penn!

But the 1993 XC squad took the name to a new level when they warmed up at the NCAA XC Championships with the t-shirts made up by Leif Steiner.  Even Coach Groves got in on the action during the meet.  I believe these photos were by Brian Boyer and the bike in the last pic is Matt Hutzelmann's

 

Tom McGlynn, Bob Hamer, Coach Groves, Harry Stants, Ken Cooper.

Coach is holding Jake Bartholomy's All-American Certifate for finishing 29th. The team finished in 14th place overall.  Not bad for a bunch of convicts!

29th Jake Bartbolomy 30:32
58th Robert Hamer 31:00
95th Leif Steiner 31:33
109th Jon Pritchard 31:43
112th Tom Mcglynn 31:45
115th Ken Cooper 31:48
134th  Harry Stants 32:09

Brave Souls Put It All Out On The Track

These guys all braved the 48,000 spectators with each of them nursing the minor injuries that life brings.  The Penn Relays Masters 40 and Over 4 x 400M relay!



They are looking for more runners for next year's race in order to field 2 teams.  Time to start training.  And there are 50 and Over and 60 and Over divisions as well.  Just in case...

It was a tough day.  Windy and we all limped to the starting line.  Lots of excuses, but I will tell you this.  It is absolutely awesome to run around the track at the Penn Relays.  Even with my hammy screaming the entire 60 seconds, it was just good to be out there.  Attendance on Saturday was 48,000.  We can get multiple teams in there so if anyone is interested in racing next year, let me know.  You have a year.

Goal time next year is 3:50 or bust.

Coop

More Scenes From Franklin Field

Morgan Shigo, winner Hammer Throw.

RB Caldwell, Jake Bartholomy, Che Aresomena, Ken Cooper.

Bob Beamon and Tim Johnson.

Only Walt "Clyde" Frazier could outshine that oufit!

More Alumni Singlet Goodness: All 3:53 Of It

Watch the boys sporting their new Alumni Singlets on the refurbished Franklin Field Track.  Plans are afoot to have an A and B team next year.  We'll need another Alumni Singlet sale, for sure.

Jake Bartholomy sent us this version of the race taken by Bob Hamer.  Nice job Bob!



And Beth Shisler sent us this pic of RB Caldwell at the end of his leg.  Oops...

You Thought I Would Say "PSU IS 800U", Didn't You?

Well, we will get around to the highlights of the Penn Relays for the Penn State team, including victories in the Jumps, the Throws, and the Runs!

But my main highlight is the 7th place finish in the Masters 4x400M relay.  The quartet of Ken Cooper, Jake Bartholomy, RB Caldwell and Che Arosemena risked their hamstrings on our Alumni behalf.  And they came out of it unscathed.  They also trounced the Penn Alumni team!

3:53.94

Ken Cooper (56.99), Jake Bartholomy (57.48), R B Caldwell (59.41), Che Arosemena (1:00.08)

Alumni Singlets Will Be At The Penn Relays!

The not-so-old quartet of  Todd Kletter, Jake Bartholomy, Ken Cooper and Ron Caldwell will be sporting our one-of-a-kind, distinctive singlets on Saturday at the Penn Relays.  They will test out the new lay-out and fresh Rekortan surface in the 4 x 400 (Masters?) Division.  Plenty of Alums will be there to cheer them on.

New position of steeple pit.

The best singlet on the market.

We Have An Insider At Next Week's USATF Champs. Turns Out We Also Had One At The NCAAs!

We may get reports, pics, and maybe even videos from an insider at next week's USATF Championships.  The identity of the insider has until now been kept under complete wraps, but can now be partially revealed for the first time.  Double-O Eight (008) is the person's code name, one better than James Bond.

008, right.

Our insider at the NCAAs was none other than Jake Bartholomy, who attended our last Alumni Reunion and helped bolster our largest ever delegation from the classes of the 90s.  Here are some samples of his first-hand glimpses of Nittany Lions at the Meet.  More of Jake's pics can be seen HERE.

Alumni Singlet Makes Appearance at "Reach the Beach"

The team of mostly PSU Track Alumni (Golfers) that came in second at the New Hampshire Reach the Beach 200 Mile Relay were really a remarkable group.  The only team ahead of them were many years their junior. 

Soon-to-be Official Group Physicist Ron Moore graciously sent us some pics but was nursing a hamstring injury and acted as a driver of one of the two vans needed for the expedition.  Reading up on this event, I'm stunned at the logistics and attention to detail that's required.  It's a testament to the education provided by PSU that all of this was handled with such professionalism..The rest of the rabble of our group tip our hats to each and every one of you involved in this event.

Here's Mark Wimmer finishing his final leg with the Alumni Singlet leading the way.

Captain Wimmer with his Alumni Singlet!

Mark Wimmer, Jake Bartholomy, Matt Hutzelman, Harry Stants, Ken Cooper, and Ron Moore.

The start in the mountains of New Hampshire.

The celebration on the beach.

Storming the Beach... and Broad Street

The Mine Falls Milers.

A team of mostly PSU Track Alumni Masters (Super Masters they are called because all of them are over 40!) runners stormed the Beach in New Hampshire yesterday, coming in 2nd out of 468 teams and dominating their Division by 6 hours!  (Only the much younger Alumni crew from St. Francis XC were able to top them.)

      SFCMXC             1  2-Men Open   20:14:06
      Mine Falls Milers  2  4-Men Super  20:38:00

Among them are Ron Moore, (future Group Official Physicist), Jake Bartholomy, Mark Wimmer and Ken Cooper.

And today was the Philadelphia Half Marathon with at least one speedy member of our Group ready for the perfect weather.

 

Matt Groves finished in 1:16:25!  Not bad for a 800 M man!

An Inside View of NCAA's

Thanks to Jake Bartholomy, we have somewhat of an inside view of the goings-on in Eugene last week.  It was a week that saw the Women get a top 30 (tie 29th) finish and the Men get a 14th Place finish.  It's been a wonderful year of watching it all, and there is still the USATF and Junior Championships to come.

I have a special thank you for two One-Year Nittany Lions, Ricky West and Sam Masters.  It may have been only one year of eligibility, but its a lifetime of Alumni Status.  Lions are as loyal of a beast as there ever could be.  You'll see what I mean in the years to come.  Remember, the golf may be optional, but its highly recommended!

Here's Jake's comments on the Championships:

The meet was fantastic. There is no better place to watch track in the U.S. The stands were full every day and the crowd stays to watch the 10k's at the end of the day and clap rhythmically as runners pass in front of them. Of course, the crowd is extra loud for Oregon athletes, but that's fair and at least the crowd is into it, cheering, and knowledgeable.
As a PSU alum, I was extremely proud. On Thursday, I ran into Coach Sullivan and some other coaches and athletes right away on Thursday. They all ended up sitting with me and I had a great talk with Sam Masters about his career and future plans. I doubt I would have been that mature to engage an old alum 2 days before my biggest race ever.
I was able to meet most of the other PSU athletes who were all gracious and professional. I was bummed I didn't get a chance to meet our 800 crew of Casimir, Brannon, or Ricky. Rightfully, they were being quite careful to avoid the sun and rest their legs.
I didn't hear any criticism of the two uniforms. I could see the tv commentators talking about it though, I guess. The back story is the distance runners love the "old school" white jerseys and had them made for cross country. In track, if a distance runner makes a final, they get to wear that special jersey as an incentive/reward. Casimir asked Coach Sullivan if he could wear it in the final and since she was pleased with the effort he did put into XC last fall, she said he could wear it. In hindsight, sure it might have been nice if they looked more like a team than individuals and displayed Penn State's middle distance prowess, especially with their outstanding 2-3 finish, but the events just evolved as I mentioned. They weren't purposefully trying to be different or 'not a team.'
Again, I was so glad I could make the trip as I enjoy watching track in Eugene even if it's an all-comers meet and I don't know 1 person competing. NCAA's is special and to see our PSU coaches, staff, and athletes representing the Bue & White with fierce competitiveness and class, ie, Success with Honor, made me so proud to be a Nittany Lion.

Melissa Kurzdorfer. Photo by Jake Bartholomy.

Natalie Bower. Photo by Jake Bartholomy.

Michael Shuey. Photo by Jake Bartholomy

Sean Reilly. Photo by Jake Bartholomy.

A Pleasant Summer Evening in Eugene

Robbie Creese eased into the finals of the 1500 M at the NCAA semifinals with a 3:43.55.  Several others attained PR's in other events but didn't make it past the semis. It is still amazing how nearly all of them are at the top of their game, prepared and trained by a great coaching staff.  Huzzahs all around.

Penn State Track Alumni (Golfers) are in the crowd, spreading the word of the soon-to-be largest and most active Track Alumni Group in the world.  Jake Bartholomy sent me this great pic of already legendary Sam Masters biding his time before the 5000 M finals in the stands.

Sam Masters. Photo by Jake Bartholomy

And I mistook this for an Alumni Singlet at first on my Palm Pre Plus phone screen (Yes, I'm holding out against the evil Apple Empire with a 5 year old phone!) but it's really an authentic 1992 PSU jersey that just happened to find itself in Jake's wardrobe.  "I have no idea how that got there Coach Groves. I swear."

NOT an Alumni Singlet!

Who Am I?

Here's a few more photos from Dan Martinez's vault he has graciously sent our way.  I think I know some of the names but there is no need to point out what an Idiot I am by getting any of them wrong.  Help us out by naming names and supplying any accompanying stories in the comments. 

 1985 Dogwood Relays.  Photo by Bill Killian.

 1984 Dogwood Relays.  Photo by bill Killian.

 1984 Dogwood Relays.  Photo by Bill Killian.

 1995 Penn Relays.  Photo by Bill Killian.

 1985 Dogwood Relays.  Photo by Bill Killian.

1984 USA Championships.  Photo by Richard Lee Slotkin.

 

1984 Dogwood Relays.  Photo by Bill Killian.

Mud Runs Used to Be Punishment!

Now it seems they are more popular than the regular 5K Races!

Here's Jake Bartholomy and his Team Bodysuit BEFORE the Race:

My only complaint is, "No PSU Blue???"
Here's his Team Bodysuit AFTER the Race:

 

Amazing how similar the colors all became!  And I want to know,  "Who did the laundry?"

The Vacation Continues!

First New York City, then Toronto, and now on to Ocean City, New Jersey! (With a two-day work week in-between each of them.) But now it's time to catch up on some miscellaneous Blog items.

First up, PSU alums continue to impress in Europe:

• Shana Cox finished second in the 400 M at the London Grand Prix.
• Toyin Augustus finished 2nd in two 100 Meter Hurdle races in France.
• Jake Bartholomy won a silver in the 5000 M and the 4 X400 (!) and a gold in both the 800 M and 1500 M in Copenhagen, Denmark. Quite a weekend there!
  

And three Nittany Lions (or former Nittany Lions) will be competing at the World Championships in Berlin next week.

• Bridget Franek, 3000 M Steeplechase.
• Aleesha Barber, 100 M Hurdles (for Trinidad andTobago).
• Shakeema Welsch, Triple Jump.

Keeper of the Beer and Founder Clark Haley supplies this great link for a golf tip most of us can really use. (Not like the tips on swings and grips that we usually get but can't possibly use because we stink too bad!) How to Throw a Golf Club. No references to Gary Black are intended or implied.

Velveteen Playboy Challenges The Links

Velveteen Playboy lead singer and vertical motion expert (that's high jumper for us vertically challenged distance guys!) Paul Souza has signed up for his first Harry Groves Golf Tournament. Maybe he will stimulate other lazy, shiftless field events performers to partake in the festivities and help deforest The Elks Club greenery. (Just kidding guys, you can still break me in half I'm sure.)

 I have encountered Mark Heckel (featured in a previous "Where Are They Now" segment). Heather (Carmichael) Richardson checked in from sunny New Zealand. Jake Bartholomy, James Carney, Bob Radzwich, Artie Gilkes and Phillip Passen touched base with me. I'll continue to work on them all. It's for Coach, after all.

*Political opinions or commentary are really quite worthless at this point. And still frowned on by blog hierarchy.