Ranking of All-Time Best Outdoor Performances of Penn State Track Alumni*

* Performances after PSU eligibility has expired.

The IAAF, or whatever they call themselves now, has a ranking system that can be used to gauge performances across Track and Field times and distances.  This system is very useful, but is only one way to interpret Athletic performances across all the disciplines.

While these tables can never be a definitive measurement of the level of performance
considering the differing opinions among sports statisticians concerning their basis and
method of construction, they do allow us to consistently measure and compare athletes and their performances across the rich variety of event disciplines.

So, I combined our previous compilation of the Event Record Holders in each discipline with the IAAF Scoring Tables.  The results are sometimes surprising.

1.  James Carney       2007                10000M       27:34.64                    1386
2.  Joe Kovacs           2017                Shot Put       74' 0.25"  (22.57M)   1275
3.  Knut Hjeltnes       1985                Discus          228' 5"  (69.62M)      1238
4.  Casimir Loxsom   2015                800M            1:44.92                     1176
5.  Brannon Kidder    2019                1500M          3:35.27                     1171
6.  Barney Ewell        1948                100M            10.1 (ht)                   1170
7.  Mike Shine           1976                400M IH      49.30                         1159
7.  George Malley     1978                 3000M SC   8:21.72                      1159
9.  Lennart Hedmark  1973                Decathlon     8,188 pts.                 1155
10.  Casimir Loxsom  2013                600M            1:14.84                    1154
11.  Mike Sands          1975                200M            20.5                         1143
12.  Mike Shuey         2019                 Javelin          271' 10"  (82.85M) 1141
13.  George Adu        1999                 Long Jump    25' 10.75" (7.89M) 1114
14.  Larry Mangan     1983                Mile               3:56.90                    1113
14.  Alan Scharsu       1985                3000M           7:50.40                    1113
16.  Mike Sands         1976                 400M             46.01                       1111
17.  Mike Shine          1979                110M HH       13.80                      1103
18.  James Carney      2008                5000M           13:31.61                  1097
19.  Casimir Loxsom  2014                1000M           2:19.16                   1092
20.  Ricardo Hall        1995                Triple Jump    53' 7.75" (16.22M) 1082
21.  Dave Kriz            1996                High Jump      7' 0.75" (2.15M)    1046
22.  Dave Masgay       1987                Pole Vault      16' 8.75"                 1021
23.  Alvin Jackson      1979                Hammer         211' 11" (64.60M)   957       

Comments appreciated!                       

A Lull In The Action Means Housecleaning Commences

With not much happening in the Track World, it is time to do a little Spring cleaning, even if it is a little late.  So let's all get to work and crowdsource an updated Penn State Track Alumni Record Book!  Sorry ladies, I don't even know how to begin compiling one for the women.  Maybe an ambitious member of our group will try!!!!    Hint, hint!

But at least we have a starting point for the Men's Records which includes Indoor, Outdoor and Road records.  Matt Groves has done much of the legwork from his dad's notes in the past.  We are certain that our listing needs updating, and that's where you come in.  If we all get together on this we can fully update the listings in no time.

Let's start with the Men's Outdoor List:  Any changes can be made via the Facebook Page or on the comments below.  Please help!

Our first update to the list doesn't change the record, but clarifies it.

(George)Malley's AR was NOT the 8:21.72 you have listed. Henry Marsh had the AR at the time (1978) and it was 8:21.55...Malley's AR was in 1977 at the AAU National Championships at Westwood, CA at 8:22.54.

Penn State Track Alumni Records: Throws Division

Well, as most of you know, this is the field where I know the absolute least. But I have become more of a fan of the events as time has gone by.  The artistry of the events is mesmerizing.  Combine that with the different applications of strength needed in each of the events, and they remind me of the artistry involved in a baseball pitching duel, my favorite pro sports event. The ability to control strength and apply it in just the small window of optimum performance is not something many of us can possibly do.  My pinnacle in the strength department occurred in a "weight-room" session during Sophomore Year where Coach Groves just wouldn't leave like usual.  So I couldn't "weight" until he left to end my session.  So there I was attempting to bench press my own weight.  And I did it! I actually bench pressed 120 lbs. when I weighed 118 pounds.  Probably the most pitiful of any of our readers.  (Use the Comments to post your best bench press mark!)

Anyway, here are the Alumni records in the Throws.  They are almost all pretty old, and I'm not aware of  any newer and better marks.  That's where you come in. Let us know if there are changes to be made.

Hammer: 64.60 [211' 11"}, Alvin Jackson '77 1979
Shot Put: 21.87 (71' 9") C.J. Hunter '90  2000
Discus: 69.62 (228' 5"), Knut Hjeltnes '75 1985
Javelin (old): 82.90 (272' 0"), Jim Stevenson '66 1964
Javelin (new): 70.40 [231' 0"}, Rob Austin '96 (PS.Open) 1997
Javelin (new): 71.70 (235' 9 1/4") Dave Masgay (Penn Relays) 2000

Knut Hjeltnes with Grete Waitz.(RIP)  Could Grete out bench press me back in the day?

Best Finish At The NCAA Championships Since 1976!

The PSU Men's team finished in 14th place at the NCAA Championships on the backs of Middle Distance stars Casimir Loxsom (2nd 800 M), Brannon Kidder (3rd 800 M) and Robby Creese (6th 1500 M).  That's the best finish since before my days at PSU in 1976.  That takes us back to the era of Mike Sands, Mike Shine, Paul Stemmer, and Knut Hjeltnes. Not a bad era at all!

Knut Hjeltnes, 4-time Olympian.

Mike Sands, 2-Time Olympian

Paul Stemmer, PSU Legend.

Mike Shine, Olympic Silver Medalist.