Whine And Dine

 First up, the announcement by Clark Haley of the one-time rules change for the 20th Annual Coach Harry Groves Golf Tourney brought howls of protest from the "real" golfers among us.  The cacophony from the rabble rose to such levels at our reception, that I was worried there would be intervention by the authorities.

 

Announced as a 2 club maximum for each golfer in the foursome, it was soon amended to 3 clubs per golfer.  Still, chaos reigned.  Clark held firm at the 3 club maximum and not the "3 clubs and a putter" demand from the influential group of Fuller Brothers!

The anonymously sponsored open bar added to the general good cheer throughout the night.  The night concluded with a putting contest win by Mike McCahill.

The dawning of a new day led eventually to the start of the Coach Groves Golf Tourney.  While this was happening, an intrepid group continued the traditional climb of Mt. Nittany (started by Spouse the Better) followed by a trip to the Creamery.

Rain held off until well into the outing, and the torrential rains only lasted for one hole, followed by summer-like heat and humidity.  We always see a myriad of conditions on the Mountain View Country Club, although conditions were excellent overall.  The brief shower came over Skimont (or whatever it is called now), as if Bear Meadows knew that PSU distance runners were there and just wanted to say hello.

The 3-club maximum for each golfer led to strange shots throughout the day.  Try putting with a 5-iron! My "bag" consisted of a 5-iron, a pitching wedge and a putter; my 3 best clubs.  None of which I can still hit on a consistent basis.  I did, however, have a number of shots that counted and saved par a few times for our foursome.  The new rules added a fun element, and brought a new strategy and synergy to each foursome.  This format brought everyone closer together, which has always been one of Clark's stated goals.  

The longest drive was recorded by philanthropist Ken Brinker.  The longest putt of more than 22 feet was recorded by co-director Harry Smith (garnering the Smith family another year with the purloined Golden Putter).  Tim Brown placed his shot closest to the pin on the ninth hole.  The furthest traveled alum was Brian Boyer, who brought his family from Vienna Austria!

Overall, scores turned out better than anyone had predicted and there was a tie between 2 foursomes at one-under par for the victory.  The rules for ties were eventually thrown out and it was decided using a complex formula involving Elon Musk's new Twitter algorithm and the volume of whining from each group.

The foursome of Paul Mundy, Harry Smith, Gary Black and  Tom Shiffer were given the nod and will have their names engraved on the cherished "Cup".

The Awards Dinner was held at The Hyatt Place Hotel, and entailed a very good spread of grilled chicken, flank steak, baked potato bar and all kinds of other things.  The chocolate cake was especially enjoyed by Tourney Winner Paul Mundy. We had an inspirational speech from former XC and Track and
Field captain Che Arosemena, now attending the Army War College in Carlisle.

Random Thoughts And Results Of The 19th Annual Reunion And Golf Tourney

1.  We had a very good turn-out considering the world we currently find ourselves in. There were 40 or so attendees for both the Reception and Dinner.  There were 6 foursomes on the golf course.  And there were many attendees for Vivian Riddick's Zoom Presentation and the Coach Schwartz Celebration for the Women's Team.  Coach Groves finally got his 2009 wish of more women attendees for our celebration of Penn State T&F/XC.
2. The Mountain View Country Club hosted the tourney and were excellent in their support of our efforts.
3. I sorta/kinda won for the 3rd time in a row.  Because Steve Brown's sons golfed with him, we had a team of "ringers" without a hacker like me.  According to the rules set up by Clark Haley decades ago, this team is forbidden.  All teams must be rigidly, strictly chosen randomly on Friday night, except when sufficiently bribing of the Officers of the Group has been undertaken!  The Browns managed 5-under par, with my foursome scaring them with a 4-under par back 9 after an even front nine.  (Please realize I am being mostly funny with this, but I won't know for sure until I see the engraving on The Cup next year.)  I hit few shots with my wonky wrist, but I suppose 4 of my shots actually counted.  For all you non-golfers out there, you would do much better than this without ever having golfed before.  Come golf with us next year.  It was a pleasure golfing with Harry Smith, his son Ian Smith and Coach John Gondak this year.  
4. There was a paucity of potential in the running for the "numb-nuts" award, with the absence of Kevin Kelly O'Brien.  Just joking Kelly, you were missed.
5. The Triathlon at the track, which has replaced the Alumni Run, was won by Steve Balkey, with individual events won by one of the Fullers (I never know which one; it's definitely a problem of mine!) and Greg Fredericks, Master of the Hula Hoop.
6. Speaking of the Fullers...  They all golfed together this year.  It was honestly only by chance, I swear to God.  Bob Gabel became an honorary Fuller to fill up their foursome.
7. Paul Mundy won the Longest Drive contest, which he does nearly every year Beth Shisler does not golf .
8. The dinner menu was excellent (flank steak, grilled chicken with Parmesan sauce, and a chocolate cake that brought a smile to Paul Mundy).  The selection of four different flavors of chicken wings on Friday night was also quite splendid.  Free draft beer and a full cash bar got the crowd in just the right spirits to meet new friends and regale old friends with white lies about the days of yore.
9. There are stories of great times had by many (after my bed-time) at The Phyrst on Friday night and Pickles on Saturday night.  I managed to host Rock and Roll Legend Paul Souza to nearly 11:00PM on both nights before tag-teaming and handing off to Night-Life loving Clark Haley.  I think we have a convert to our efforts in Paul, with maybe even a Rock and Roll Reception in our future!
10. Ken Brinker became only the third recipient of The Rusty Boot, the highest honor that can be bestowed on any PSU Track Alum.
11. Two hardy members of the group drove their Harleys fairly long distances to join us.  Both Mike Shine and Paul Mundy looking good BTW!
12. Coach Gondak won the closest to the pin contest on a hole which is normally his nemesis at his home course. A six-foot putt led to one of our birdies to close in on the Leading Brown group.
13. Kay Warfel made multiple homemade gifts for raffle and Coach Gondak supplied numerous items to add to the mix from the team's supplies.
14. A tour of the new locker room was given by Ryan Foster.  It's good to have him back.
15. The Ghost Award went to Paul Souza who finally joined us and says he will be back every year from now on.  Speaking of future years, we have decided to alternate between May and August in the future, just to see if we can entice a few more reluctant attendees.  More on that to come. 
16. Quite a few attendees climbed Mt. Nittany again this year, in addition to touring the Sports Museum and Berkey Creamery.  Remember, the golf is optional but highly recommended!
17. State College has taken Covid hard by what I have seen.  The entire block containing The Saloon, Hi-Way Pizza, The Deli and the Lions Den has been closed and empty.  Baby's is closed and for sale.  I would love to have enough mullah to buy it and bring back Pedro's! Anyone wishing to join me in investing in this opportunity, let me know.
18. My Nittany Lion Hawaiian Shirt was a big hit.  The Lion's Pride came through for me again this year.  Several others went on Saturday to find the stock already depleted.  Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man happy, healthy and Hawaiian Shirted.
19. The Longest Putt on Hole 18 went to Ian Smith of my foursome with a 9' 1" effort.
    

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

Joe Kovacs and Darrell Hill Won't Be Able To Attend Our Golf Outing And Reunion In August

 

Something as trivial as the first Olympics in 5 years may keep them away from Happy Valley around then!  Thanks to Ken Brinker for alerting us to this.

When your second best ever "throw" is 74 feet, 6 1/2 inches or so, that is saying a lot for Joe Kovacs. And at more than 73 feet, things are looking good for Darrell Hill, too.  We wish them both luck on making the team.

Joe's Monster Series

 

Putting On The Alumni Reunion And Golf Tourney Is Hard Work

Some of you may not know how much work that Clark Haley and Harry Smith put in nearly all year in preparation for our annual get-togethers.  For nineteen years, Clark has handled chores beyond what you would expect, and Harry came on board maybe 15 years ago to take some strain off the Group's Founder.  Many people contribute, and all contributions are very much appreciated.

I do very little work on these things, as my job is to "herd the cats" toward the event with my ramblings on this blog, which has met with some success in its 11 years.  My hope is that this trend continues.  Any help you offer is quite welcome.

Todd Leggett, Greg Fredericks and John Ziegler watch Harry Smith labor to inflate a cactus for the Alumni Triathlon. Photo by Ken Brinker.

The First Annual Alumni Triathlon consisted of:

• The Cactus Throw
• The Frisbee Discus Throw
• and The Golf Ball Roll

Clark Haley won both the Frisbee Throw and the Golf Ball Roll to take the Crown. John "Ziggy" Ziegler won the Cactus Throw.

The Triathlon Trophy prior to Friday night surgery.

Restored trophy.

Odie the Shih Tzu on his first trip to Penn State.

Retirement Is Bittersweet

Casimir Loxsom, World Best Indoor 600M, 1:14.91

No one has done more to make PSU Is 800U than Casimir Loxsom. Sure, there were champions before him and champions have come since, but no one was there for as many big moments and for longer than he has been.

Cas announced his retirement from professional running over the weekend:  (Thanks to Ken Brinker for delivering his statement in suitable format.)

In 2005, I was convinced to run indoor track to stay in shape for my first love of soccer. I was going to be a 55 meter runner and hated every second of it. My coach had other plans and anchored me on the 4x800 in my first meet, and I ran 2:07.
•
Over the next 13 years I developed a love and passion for our sport that I worry sometimes won’t ever be rivaled by future endeavors. I say “our” because what I fell in love with was the special community of human beings who choose this life.
•
Over the last year and a half, I’ve gained two things. The first is a tremendous amount of respect for each and every person that pursues Track & Field at the highest of levels. It’s a smaller community of humans that understand what it takes to be the best and how hard it is, and also how much is sacrificed in the process. I’ve also gained an incredible amount of empathy for those who choose that it isn’t a path they want to walk (or run) anymore.
•
When I graduated college and signed a professional contract, I wrote myself a letter. I decided that I’d never take a set amount of time off after a season. I told myself I’d start training each year when I felt motivated to. I knew the fall it didn’t come back would be when I’d decide to hang up the spikes.
•
I made the decision in the past few hours, but really I’ve felt this way for a few months. Today, I am a former professional Track & Field athlete. I can’t believe it’s now, but really there will never be a good time. The decision was made with a very heavy heart, but also with optimism.
•
I will never be too far from the community or the sport, and truly believe I can play a part in making it better while helping a lot of people in the process.
•
So thank you, everyone. It’s been a wild ride and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I’ve been truly blessed to experience the things I have, both good and bad.

I must say I enjoyed watching him run more than anyone I know.  Even Seb Coe, who I often compared to him.  His stride was magnificent and his pacing was always as even as anyone can be in the 800 meter range.  I will let others chronicle his highlights and awards.  I just want to say "Thanks" for all the thrills he gave this washed-up former second-stringer...

 

I Stole Another Picture From The Interwebs

"When I wore a younger man’s clothes" (or track spikes). A friend and teammate sent me this picture from an indoor meet 50 years ago when I established a new Penn State indoor record for the 400 – on a tight unbanked track. Record is long gone!

Ken Brinker still looks like he could set some records.  He may need the cushy newfangled, banked indoor track PSU has now, but my money is still on him.  But if you ever find yourself entered in our Alumni Reunion golf tourney, pray Clark assigns you to his team and not mine!

Penn State Track Alumni Makes A Pilgrimage

Thanks to Ken Brinker for forwarding what Father Matt Chadwick has been up to lately!

In the footsteps of the saints

By Mags Ivatts

Mass being celebrated at the tomb of St Francis in Assisi

Recently a group from the Catholic church in Rye, St Anthony of Padua, set out on a pilgrimage. There is usually something romantic associated with a journey described as a pilgrimage. Such journeys are so very ancient and always to a spiritual destination.

Historically a pilgrimage would be associated with physical hardships or the challenge of difficult terrain but, for the group of Catholics setting out from Rye to Rome at 5:15am, it was the early morning time of the flight from Gatwick that presented the biggest challenge. There were 16 in our group led by our parish priest Father Matthew Chadwick OFM Conv.

Being a small parish and having a small church, many of us do not meet each other during the course of normal worship and mass attendance, so it was particularly enjoyable to be able to travel together. Our group was a mixture of people, some new to Rye and others who have been attending St Anthony’s for many decades.

We all felt eager anticipation to visit Assisi, most especially the great Basilica of St Francis, consecrated in 1253. This was especially the case for our parish priest who is a Franciscan friar from America. On arrival in Rome we all transferred to a coach to Assisi and arrived in time to for a short visit to the Basilica before dinner.

 

It is apparent from first glance that the Basilica of St Francis is an extraordinary showcase of paintings. In fact it contains the most complete mural decoration of the 13th and 14th century to be found in Italy. The following day we all thoroughly enjoyed a tour of the Basilica, a particular highlight being Father Matthew celebrating Mass at the site of the tomb of St Francis. We visited St Francis’ house, and the sites around Assisi closely associated with the life of St Francis and St Clare and the beginning of the Franciscan movement.

We then transferred to Padua by coach where our hotel was directly opposite the Basilica of St Anthony, the famous Franciscan saint after whom our parish church is named. Padua is a beautiful medieval town and includes the celebrated Capella degli Scrovengi, chapel decorated with some of the finest frescos by Giotto.

It was extraordinary and mind-boggling to realise that this small, beautiful chapel with its vibrant bright colours was being decorated at the same time as Dante wrote the Inferno.

Our six-day trip came to an end too quickly and too soon we were all back on the plane to Gatwick and on our way home to Rye. It was in many ways a refreshing trip, to be in the company of like-minded others, and to be able to discuss faith and spirituality openly is a rare experience these days.

We Really Are Everywhere!

With the holidays upcoming, it is great to know that we have a voice at the seat of the world's largest Christian denomination.  That is, the Roman Catholic Church and the Vatican.

Ken Brinker sends us this pic of Father Matt Chadwick with Pope Francis.  Ken and I both agree that the Pope may be smiling because Father Matt told him a Coach Groves story.  Maybe...

Two More Golfers Join The Hall Of Honor

With their victory in the 2017 Coach Harry Groves Golf Tournament Doug Kent and Bill Malchano secured their second engraving on the Championship Cup.  That means they join the others in the Hall of Honor.  Ken Brinker rounded out their "Foursome" and secured his first appearance on the Cup.

Bill Malchano, Doug Kent, Ken Brinker.

A Quick Post On The Coaches Reception and Sykes/Sabock Challenge

 

Track Alumni Golfer Owen Dawson paces the One Mile with a splendid 1200M (sorta 1200!) while wearing his Alumni Singlet.  Always a highlight in my book!

After Owen's excellent 1200M (sorta 1200!), future PSU Track and Field Alumni Golfer Robby Creese took over and won the mile with this year's #1 NCAA unconverted Mile of 3:57.86.

 Ex-Freshman Roommates Tom Rapp and Larry Mangan reunite at the Ashenfelter Complex.  Tom's wife Mary Rawe was also an All-American and 1977 Freshman classmate of all of us.

Alumni Golfer, past foursome teammate and William and Mary head coach Steve Walsh actually got me to pose for a very rare pic of myself.  I promised him I would post it on the blog with it all, despite my overall desire for anonymity. During the entire day, I noticed  that I was the shortest person in every room I was in.

Coach John Gondak arranged the whole affair to bring as many Alumni together as possible and to honor past coaches.  Coach Teri Jordan thanked the crowd of over 100 with a brief speech.

Coach Groves gave an even briefer speech, but was mobbed all night by everyone there.  Just as it should be.

In the background just to the right of Coach is Ken Brinker, Alumni Golfer extraordinaire!  It was announced that Ken recently donated $100,000 to the PSU Track Program.  Our Chief Morale and Laundry Officer Larry Mangan is currently organizing the effort to match Ken's magnanimity.  More of that is to come.

 Penn State's Indoor 3000M Record Holder Sam Masters and Fiance came up with the best excuse for missing this year's Golf Tourney.  They are getting married that day in Missouri.  Officially, that will be the only excuse us Idiot Officers will now allow!

 Greg Fredericks received his Alumni T-Shirt from Le faucon d'orange Mark Hawkins.  He was gifted the item by us Idiot Officers for the extraordinary efforts he has made for Coach Groves in the past year.

Greg models the Special Edition Alumni T-Shirt made for Roger "Gunny" Roll for his above-and-beyond efforts for Coach Groves in the past year. 

Addendum:

Artist's conception

 On the late-night drive home, I ran over a skunk near Seven Mountains and was later almost hit head-on by a high-speed car driving the wrong way on Route 83 north of York. I really wish I could have stayed over night in State College. Two trips through the car wash has not dissipated the smell and I still have a tremor thinking about the almost crash.

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!

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.

Penn State National Cross-Country Tailgate at Damon's

 

The next home Cross-Country meet is on Saturday, October 16 at 10:00 AM on the Blue and White Golf Courses.  The Penn State National will be one of the last tune-ups prior to the Big Ten Championships in Madison Wisconsin.

Following the Meet, a Tailgate and Alumni Celebration will be held at our favorite Haunt, Damon's Grill from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.  These get-togethers are a great way to meet some of the current athletes, coaches and alumni tracksters from every era.  Food, fun and frivolity are a sure thing.  I'll again be there (They can't seem to shake me!) with wrist bands and good humor for all.

Group Hero, Ken Brinker and Mike Milliron of the Varsity Club will also be in attendance, as the entire PSU Track (and XC!) Universe garners more and more attention with the University Big-Wigs.  Our group is certainly doing its part to make PSU the preeminent Track Program in the nation.  Little by little, every single one of us is making a difference.  Stop by the Tailgate and celebrate the past, present and especially the glorious future of PSU Track and Field (and XC!!).

More Great Photos

Holder of the Golden Putter and paid-up 2010 Golf Tourney participant Bob Gabel sends us this great photo from Killington VT. His steady and frozen hand grasps this year's version of the Wrist Band, a glow-in-the-dark model that lasts longer than any of us can! Bob will be returning with Horace, with dim hopes of winning him again. Bob, there's always Mike and Barney to win also! (Horace is the golden putter for the winner of the longest putt on the 18th green. Mike is the Silver Divot Tool for the longest drive, and Barney is the Golden Divot Tool for the closest to the pin on the 2nd hole.)

Ken Brinker brings us the other beauty, which says all that can be said about running post-college. Many of you will recognize this sign on Route 80, not very far away from State College. I sent this pic to National Lampoon's True Facts back in the late 70's, but they didn't get the joke.

A Brief Relaxing Interlude

Penn State Track Alumni Golfer and part-time Florida resident Ken Brinker posted this great shot of sundown in the Gulf of Mexico. Let's all take a moment to relax prior to digging into the Indoor Track season again. I'm looking forward to the 800 and mile this weekend at the Horace Ashenfelter III track.

Brainiacs, Donations and Baseball

Nine Nittany Lion Track Athletes were recognized by the USTFCCCA (yeah, can you believe the length of that one!) as Academic All-Americans for the past season. Congratulations to everyone! They are:

1. Megan Duncan
2. Cheryl Spring
3. Ryan Foster
4. Jay Pagana
5. Bridget Franek
6. Kim Hanslovan
7. Dennis Pollow
8. Clarence Smith
9. Emma Smeltzer

Also, the Idiot Officers conferred via electronic means to assess the overall monetary repercussions of our recent foray into ineptness! What we found was extraordinary. The best year ever for our efforts. Thanks to everyone who came to the event and even those who donated to our efforts in the past year. We are certainly hoping for even bigger things to come once Barney Frank fixes the US economic woes.* Our gift of $250 to Coach Groves was in turn passed on to the Scholarship Fund in his name! Thanks Coach Groves. We also sent the Scholarship Fund another $600 via Ken Brinker, who we hope can join us next year! Still another $600 went to the Friends of PSU Track and Field. That leaves Keeper of the Cup, Harry Smith with $100 to secure the engraving of this year's winners. It leaves me, the Herder of Cats, with $700 for web site maintenance, herding of more cats, and procurement of goodies for next year's tourney. All donations are appreciated and are destined for the betterment of the entire group!

Those with bare arms are encouraged to donate a little to obtain a wrist band in order to enter our contest. Those with bare bodies can donate a little more to obtain one of either of our t-shirts. (Please send before and after photos!)

And finally, a trip to a ball game yielded me up close encounters with Brooks Robinson, whose first pitch put Obama's* to shame, and P. J. Rose (aka Pete Rose Jr.). P. J. hit a walk-off grand slam for the York Revolution last week while down by 3 runs in the bottom of the ninth!

*Continual political references have no place on this blog.

Brinker in Beijing!!

As revealed by the wily Clark Haley today, Ken Brinker is "Who Am I ? No. 2". Ken Hopes to make it to next year's golf outing if he can pry himself away from sunny Florida in time. Right now, Ken is in Beijing where he has tickets to the afternoon session of every track and field day! It is hoped that Ken will supply exclusive photos and videos of the action on and off the track. Any one who correctly guessed the answer is eligible for the grand prize of some magnets or decals. Let me know. The rules are the same as a real round of golf, self governed and on the honor system. No winter rules.

Ken is quite a story, a success on and off the track and a generous philanthropist to the Coach Groves Endowment. All in all, an honorary officer of PSU Track and Field Alumni Golf! Can't wait for Clark's next foray into "Who Am I" madness.

Thanks to Rob Whiteside for alerting me to a new photo of Ken.

WHO AM I # 2

WHO AM I # 2

ALL RIGHT BOY AND GIRLS, HERE'S YOUR SECOND CHANCE TO GUESS WHO WE HAVE IN THE FRYING PAN THIS WEEK. THIS FORMER STUD MUFFIN MAY BE EASY FOR SOME, DIFFICULT FOR OTHERS....
WHO AM I ?!

MY HIGH SCHOOL MASCOT WAS, OF ALL THINGS, A BEAVER...
MY HIGH SCHOOL RECORD STILL STANDS IN THE "BROAD" JUMP (HIGH 22'S)...
IN HIGH SCHOOL I RAN THE 440 IN 51 AND THE HH IN 14.7 (ON CINDERS BOYS!)...
IN HIGH SCHOOL I SET SCHOOL, DISTRICT, AND SECTIONAL RECORDS IN THE 120HH'S,
THE LJ, AND THE 440...
AT THE PIAA'S STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS MY SENIOR YEAR, I PLACED 2ND IN THE LJ, AND
4TH IN THE HH'S...
AT PENN STATE, I MAJORED IN ZOOLOGY (NO, THAT DOESN'T MEAN FRAT BROTHER!)...
I WAS A TWO-TIME NATE CARTMELL WINNER, ON THE ACADEMIC HONOR ROLL, AND CO-CAPTAIN
OF THE OF THE TRACK TEAM...
I WAS A MEMBER OF THE RECORD HOLDING 4X100 AND 4X200 RELAY TEAMS...
I HELD THE INDOOR 440 RECORD AT 48.7, RAN THE 120HH'S IN 14.3, THE 220 IN 21.7,
ALSO RAN THE 440IH'S AND LONG JUMPED...
NOW THE AWESOME STUFF:
I HAVE PARTICIPATED IN MANY MASTER CHAMPIONSHIPS AND HAVE ACTUALLY WON THE WORLD CHAMPION MASTER DIVISION FIVE TIMES IN THE HIGH HURDLES...
MASTERS CHAMPION IN THE 200 AND A MEMBER OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP 4X400 MASTERS TEAM...
LED OFF THE MASTERS 4X 400 WORLD RECORD SETTING TEAM WITH A 49.8- AT THE AGE OF 42
THAT SAME YEAR I RAN 22.5 IN THE 200 AND 14.7 IN THE 110 HH'S...
ONE OF MY FAVORITE WORKOUTS WAS SPRINT INTERVALS IN REC HALL!...
LEAST FAVORITE WORKOUT WAS RUNNING DISTANCE WORK OUTS WITH FREDRICKS!...
FAVORITE MEMORY OF COACH: WHEN HE CAME TO FISTICUFFS WITH A, SOON TO BE CANNED
DISTANCE RUNNER, THAT HAD TO BE BROKEN UP BY SHOT PUTTER, MIKE
REID (ALL-AMERICAN FOOTBALL PLAYER). COACH WAS ACTUALLY WINNING
WHEN HE PULLED HIM AWAY!...
I HAVE A BEAUTIFUL WIFE NAMED SANDRA AND DAUGHTER NAMED ERICA...
ONE PSU GRAD I'D LIKE TO FIND WOULD BE BOB BEAM WHO ANCHORED OUR RELAY TEAMS...

SO, WHO AM I? (ANSWER WILL BE POSTED 8/15)

MAN, THIS IS GOOD STUFF...!!! I MAY SOON BE CONTACTING YOU FOR YOUR CHANCE TO BE
FEATURED AS THE NEXT CELEBRITY ALUMNI...

THE ANSWER IS>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
KEN BRINKER, CLASS OF 1969 (Went to High School in Dubois)
Possible Golfer for 2009 and currently sitting in the stands at the Olympics!