I'm Ready For More Abuse: Rankings Of The All-Time Indoor Alumni Records

As the third job I have in this current busy climate, this blog has a very good reputation for inaccuracy, mistakes and overall "I have to look that up".  I take abuse on just about everything I post, but posts involving statistics bring it from every corner of the world. So as an introduction to these marks, please update me on any inaccuraccies, mistakes or "I have to look that up".

Here are the tops marks for Penn State Mens Track Alumni Records from all-time as per the IAAF Scoring Tables.  These were compiled by Matt Grove from Coach Groves' notes and amended by all of us over time.  Undoubtedly, there are mistakes.  But that gives us all an opportunityy to get together in a collegial fashion and have a little fun along the way.   Hee hee hee

1.  600M          1226        1:14.91                         Casimir Loxsom '13                  2017 (WB)
2.  Shot Put      1209        70' 5.5" (21.47M)         Joe Kovacs '12                          2014
3.  800M          1196        1:46.13                         Casimir Loxsom '13                  2017
4.  Mile            1181        3:56.06                         Brannon Kidder '16                   2018
5.  1500M        1168        3:39.17                         Brannon Kidder '16                   2018
6.  60M HH     1137        7.70                              Mike Shine '76                           1978
7.  5000M        1117        13:39.27                       James Carney '01                       2005
8.  2 Mile         1107        8:35.0                           George Malley '77                     1979
9. Heptathlon   1099       5827 pts.                       Ryan Olkowski '02                    2005
10. 200M           1096       21.25                             Ryan Olkowski '02                    2003
11. TJ                1082        53' 2.75" (16.22M)       Ricardo Hall                              1995
12. HJ                1081       7' 2.25" (2.19M)            Dave Kriz '96                            1999
13. 1000M         1079       2:22.66                          Randy Moore '85                       1986
14. LJ                1073        25' 3.25" (7.7M)           Rob Boulware '87                      1988
15. 60M            1059        6.77                               Mike Shine '76                           1978
16. PV               1056        17' 2" (5.23M)             Rick Kleban '85                          1988
17. 55M            1056        6.1*  (6.34)                  Barney Ewell '42                        1947 (WR)
18. 55M            1056        6.1*  (6.34)                  Mike Sands '75                           1980
19. 300M            995         34.5                             Mike Sands '75                           1976

* 0.24 secs added to hand times as per IAAF standards.

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!                       

Mike Sands Is OK!

Well, really, he is great!


Karl Tewold finally received an email from Coach Groves' foster son and PSU Track Alumni Great Mike Sands in the Bahamas.  Many people were quite afraid for Mike, but luckily he is in the relatively less affected Southern Bahamas.

Hey Karl,
It's been awhile. Good to hear from you.
Thanks for reaching out and your expressions of concern.
Except for high winds, rain and intermittent power outages, we here in Nassau have fortunately been spared the brunt of Dorian's compact, for which we are thankful.

Fortunately, the same cannot be said for our sister Islands of Grand Bahama and Abaco, which are the second and third most populous Islands following New Providence(Nassau).
Despite the devastation we, as a faith based country, are thankful and confident that the sun will rise upon The Bahamas, again!!🙏
Please convey my thanks appreciation to all.  

My love and regards to Gwen an all.

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.

Something Old(er), Something New(er), Both Are Borrowed, Both Wear Blue

I really appreciate submissions from my HUNDREDS of readers!  And I just got 2 that seem to mesh together in a good way.  Thanks to our good friends Coach Bill Preston and Bob Hudson.

First up is an article promoting the upcoming Reunion of Track and Field greats from the New York metro area in the 60s, 70s and 80s.

Glory Days

Fred Singleton handing off to Mike Sands at the 1974 Penn Relays.

Before college, Sands was a sprinting ace for Brooklyn’s Sheepshead Bay High School. He ran for the Bahamas in the 1972 and 1976 Olympics. Today, he runs the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations.

 And a brand new article in the Penn Stater highlights Megan McCloskey!

Leaping Lion

And don't forget to sign up for the Reunion and Golf Tourney!  Either with PayPal/credit card or via snail mail to Harry Smith.

One Person options:

Entire Package $205.00 USD    Friday and Saturday $135.00 USD    Friday Reception $45.00 USD    Saturday Reception $105.00 USD    Golf and Saturday Reception Dinner $155.00 USD

For additional family members, add up permutations in post and use snail mail to:
 Harry Smith
            508 Washington Avenue
            Elyria, OH  44035

Another Great Blast From The Past ("Before They Invented Color" As Daughter The Elder Always Put It!)

The World's Best Track and Field Museum (aka Mike Fanelli's Garage in Northern California) has released another oldie but goodie related to our Group.

This black and white pic from the Olympic year 1976 shows Dick Buerkle and Bill Rodgers duking it out in the lead of the Penn Relays 10K.  That Thursday night must have been a doozy!

Lurking back in fourth place in the pic is the eventual winner of the race, our very own Greg Fredericks.  It is unfortunate that he suffered an injury leading up to the Trials that year, as he seemed to be on track for an Olympic berth.  (Fredericks 28:24.6, Buerkle 28:26.4, Rodgers 28:33.6)

Also in the mix that night are some notable names mentioned frequently on the blog, including Bill Donakowski (29:13 10K) from Michigan (RIP), group friend Pat Davey (28:29.2 10K) from Tennessee and our very own Charlie Maguire (29:22 10K) and Paul Stemmer (13:55.6 5K).

An Administrator here at the blog with it all points out that the Interns missed another PSU Alum!  And it was a big error this time!  The 45.0 split of Mike Sands to anchor the 4 x 400M for the New York Pioneers.

A Penn State Track Royal Flush!

The recent Reunion and Golf Tourney attracted more alumni (golfers) than ever before.  Among them were some key players in what makes our group so great!

This is our group's Royal Flush, even though the poker tourney never really happened!  That's Greg Fredericks, Mike Sands, Mike Shine and Coach Bill Whittaker joining Coach Groves at the Friday night get-together.  That's 4 Olympians in one pic.  And remember Coach Whittaker once held the PSU decathlon record and donated his javelin boots to make The Rusty Boot! 

Mike Sands Is Coach Harry Groves' Son, As Explained By Him

Our group is primarily dedicated to honoring Coach Groves and his contributions to our overall formation as people worthy of Nittany Lion lineage.  But one person has the title of "Coach Groves' son" more than any of the rest of us.  Mike Sands proudly praises Coach Groves at every opportunity, and it is a pleasure to watch!

We will be hearing more from Mike Sands soon!

Some Very Fast Men

Ken Brinker sent this pic along recently from the IAAF World Relay Championships in Nassau, Bahamas.  And when you think Track and Field and the Bahamas, you think Mike Sands!  And if you think that, you would be right.  But also included in the pic is former world record holder Maurice Greene!

Can PSU Be 100U Too!

The quartet of Malik Moffett, Xavier Smith, Dan Chisena and Karson Kowalchuk ran a school record of 39.49 and eclipsed the 42 year old record of Jack Davis, Steve Hackman, Mike Shine and Mike Sands at the Virginia Challenge on Friday!

Xavier Smith backed that up with a 10.38 in the individual 100M with Malik Moffett finishing right behind in 10.42! Both are PRs and the #2 and #3 times in school history.

Throwback Thursday: Mike Sands Sings For Coach Groves!

Mike Sands brought the house down with his version of a reggae classic at Coach Groves' retirement ceremony in 2006.

Coach Groves has always been proud to call Mike his son.

Mike Sands Speaks Before Singing The Following Song

The Groves Watch List Has Always Meant More To Me

Brannon Kidder has become the first Penn State athlete to be named to the Bowerman Watch List.  That's the track and field equivalent of the Heisman.  (But without the television show and millions of dollars!)

But when I saw Brannon's 800M victory at the Penn State National,  Coach Groves indicated that Brannon Kidder was at the top of his Watch List. And to paraphrase Coach and his view of Mike Sands vs. a potential American Relay Record,  "I'd rather be at the top of Coach Groves' list than any Bowerman List!"

Congrats to Brannon for making BOTH lists.

Whose Baton Is It Anyway?

One of the most exciting races at the Penn Relays was the men's USA vs. the World 4x400. The Bahamas (with Mike Sands in attendance) had the same four runners from their 2012 Olympic gold medal team while the American quartet featured 3 members from their IAAF Indoor World Championship and world record team.

The Bahamas held the lead through the first two legs before American David Verburg split a 44.5 on the third lap to draw even with Chris Brown of the Bahamas. Apparently the Race Marshall thought Verburg had taken the lead outright and rearranged the handoff position of the anchor legs. Manteo Mitchell of the USA was given pole with the Bahamian anchor behind him. Despite the fact that their teammates were coming down the homestretch in the opposite order. Chaos ensured as they reached the exchange zone dead even. Mitchell went for a no-look pass in order to gain an advantage and grabbed the first baton that touched his hand.....

Whose baton is it?

Mitchell realizing he has the wrong stick in his hand has to come to a dead stop and take the hand off from Verburg. Who, at this point, is on the verge of face planting. This gave the Bahamas Ramon Miller enough of a lead and eliminated any chance for a climatic final lap and a USA sweep of the international relays. Lucky for the Americans, they get a shot a redemption with the IAAF World Relays in a little a month. Looks like we a second relay rivalry to go along with USA vs. Jamaica in the 4x100. Which, by the way, the Americans won that race by .01 of a second.

Three hands on the same baton!
 

Another excellent recap of the 4x4 with multiple photos of the botched handoff.





Watch more videos on Flotrack

PSU Alumni Records: Sprint Edition

What's New is Old again.  I don't think any of these records have been broken, but that's why we're doing the posts on records to begin with.  If you know of any changes, let us know in the comments, via email dfbaskwill(AT)cs(DOT)com or by shouting loudly in a crowd while wearing an Alumni Singlet!

100 M:  Barney Ewell  10.1  1948 Olympic Trials.

200 M:  Mike Sands  20.5  1976.

400 M:  Mike Sands  46.01  1976 AAU.

110 M HH:  Mike Shine  13.80  1979.

400 M IH:  Mike Shine  49.30  1979.

Barney Ewell,  Gold and Silver Medalist.

Silver Medalist Mike Shine.

See the previous listing of Middle Distance Records Here.

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.

A Quorom of Idiots!

For the first time since the 2009 Harry Groves Golf Tournament a quorom of idiot officers (CFO Gary Black, Founder Clark Haley and Herder of Cats David Baskwill) was held in Plymouth Meeting at the P. F. Changs. Dinner again centered around Kung Pao Chicken. (I am nothing if not consistent!) The meeting promises some exciting minor tweaks to the 2010 Tourney and Reunion! It will also represent a celebration of Coach Groves 80th birthday.

In 2010, the Friday night reunion evening will be held at Damon's, next to the Hampton Inn. The Awards Dinner will also be at Damon's. A dinner of Ribs and Chicken will be available for a nominal $15 following the golf event. We will still call the event "The Shisler Shindig" in honor of the generous hospitality they have afforded us all these years. The possibility of a few cash events at the tourney, like mulligans, was broached. No final decisions were made. The sacredness of the names on the Harry Groves Memorial Cup cannot be threatened or diluted.

The 2 Philadelphia Outreaches cemented tight bonds among many of us old-timers, as well as generated enthusiasm among recent converts. My former roommate Doug Kent added intellectual heft to the group and provided us with much needed legal advice. PSU mile record holder Larry Mangan updated us on his efforts to negotiate a future Bahamanian Outreach and auxiliary golf tourney with PSU great Mike Sands. Michelle and Brandon Haley provided a family atmosphere to the whole event. Brandon was absolutely the happiest kid I have ever witnessed at a 3 hour dinner at a restaurant. Clark and Michelle are obviously doing something right. Janice Mundy again watched her husband inhale The Great Wall of Chocolate for dessert. Paul Mundy's next meal may be Thanksgiving Dinner! Barb Black again acted as the hostess, allowing me the opportunity to bring PSU Track Alumni Golf to the Masses. I actually attained a 50% success rate in photos this time. It turns out its the camera, not me!

The "Non-American" American Record

This is the last in our series of Mike Sands videos from Coach Groves' Retirement Party. How can you run an American Record with a Bahamian?

Mike Sands Talks About His "Dad"

Another blast from Coach Groves' Retirement Party. Mike Sands explains how Coach Groves became his father.




Addendum: The t-shirts are in their final production stages at Gary Black's House. Only a metrosexual like Gary has the proper ironing equipment. A preliminary chance to obtain a shirt will be available at the alumni get-together at Damon's on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 7:00PM. RSVP to Jess Riden at jnr126@psu.edu to attend.

Mike Sands Sings! But Can He Golf?

It took me months and months. It involved 4 separate hard drives. It encompassed thousands of folders and files, and hundreds of hours of fumbling and bumbling. (I am a computer illiterate, you know!) But here it is! Mike Sands singing "Your Daddy Ain't Your Daddy, But Your Daddy Don't Know"at Coach Groves Retirement Party in 2006.

Great Performance # 8: Practice Makes Perfect

Larry Mangan provides us with the next Great Performance. Like some of the recent honorees, he is being recognized for something other than his many records and championships.

Larry was as versatile a runner as I have ever run with. I suppose we should categorize him as a middle distance specialist, but he wasn't shabby at the 10K distances we used to run in Cross Country. Like All-American shabby, I think. And he could sprint, too. And not just for the loop bus.

This recognition is for the 400 meters I saw him run in practice (take that AI) in 1979. I saw this from an inside lane, the whole way. (Larry made the stagger up on me early, so I never got close to him.) Coach made us distance guys run an all-out 400 in lanes one day at practice, before our usual gut-wrenching (take that sprinters, jumpers) 800 meter repeats. I ran my PR and tied with John Ziegler with a 54 second lap, (also Bill Rodger's PR). Larry ran a 47 second (48 seconds corrected by Larry)* 400 meters, which would have placed first or second (in the top 5)* in last week's open 400 at the Horace Ashenfelter Indoor Complex. I label someone who can get first or second in a large meet at 400 meters a sprinter, but I'll bet none of the others could run a 29 something 10K. Congrats to Larry on this great performance (and resume enhancer).

Also: Momentum is building for a future Golf extravaganza in the Bahamas. Mike Sands has gotten a superb response to his idea, and the machinery is in motion to make a complete package workable (Mike is a bigwig with BahamasAir). Deforesting paradise may become a PSU Track Alumni reality! Mike has been named Official Blog Travel Attache, (and I suppose BahamasAir is our Official Airline now!)

* corrections noted as per Larry