News From All Over

More Visitors for Coach Groves!  Including a man with extensive knowledge of Physics originally from York County, PA!  No, it isn't me.  It's Dick Geiger, a teammate of Greg Fredericks and Ken Brinker on Coach Groves' original team at PSU from Spring Grove, PA. Greg Dick is now residing in Tennessee *. (Error pointed out by a real Physicist.  Smartass!  He knew what I meant!)

*Speaking of Tennessee....   They have just refurbished their track with a whole new look.  Just wish they hadn't ended the Dogwood Relays!

And Nick Scarpello won another big race out there on the Left Coast.  My only criticism is that he is wearing a blue band on his wrist that ISN'T a group wristband!  He bested the field at the Qualcomm Corporate 5K Dash.

Nick May Be Going To The Dogs!

I noted this article without delving into it deeply and flagged it for inclusion on the blog.  Everyone knows I have 5 dogs (and 6 cats now!), but none are as fast as this guy.  (My dog Pooky is quite a plugger though, and is put through 3 x 800M or 4 x 800M workouts behind Daughter the Elder's bike regularly.)

Brian Duff and Kaydom, 4:13!

But I didn't note that Nick Scarpello (3:58) was there and ran a sub-4 Mile too!  Congrats Nick.  That must have felt really cool.  Thanks to Mark Horton for alerting me to the Alumni connection.

On Top The Podium!

Our Left Coast Contact Nick Scarpello shows us how its done.  Even with a job!  Way to go, Nick.

Nick placed first in the Carlsbad 5K (in 14:31), part of the Rock and Roll Series last weekend.  That is a big Record for Idiot Officers of our Group.  But I'm not positive I told him about the Idiot part of becoming a power-broker of our group?

Being part of a team, he isn't able to flash the Alumni Singlet as much anymore.  So maybe he will be enticed to purchase one of our Alumni Nike Back Packs in the upcoming sale.  As I don't think he will be needing a jacket in sunny Southern Cal...

Just Because Indoor Season Has Started, We Shouldn't Forget About Cross Country Yet!

The Penn State Team had its first of the year Indoor Meet, the Blue-White Warmup Meet before Finals and heading home for the holidays.  But there still were some Penn State Alumni running over hill and dale  at the USATF Club Cross Country Championships in San Francisco.  Bridget Franek placed 16th in the Womens 6K in 20:31.  Matt Fischer and Nick Scarpello ran fine races in 40th and 50th place in the Mens 10K.  Casimir Loxsom ran with his Brooks Beast team in a fine tune up for his upcoming Olympic push.

Bridget Franek, 16th.

Cas Loxsom, rear.

275

Casimir Loxsom

24

M

BROOKS Beasts TC-A

34:07

(10K) 5:30

40

Matt Fischer

23

M

Boston Athletic Association-A

30:37

(10K) 4:56

50

Nicholas Scarpello

23

M

Prado Racing Team-A

30:53

(10K) 4:59

16

Bridget Franek

28

F

Team Run Eugene-A

20:31

(6K) 5:31

Rocking the Alumni Singlet

 Our Undersecretary of Fun (not even sure if he is aware of his Idiot Officer Status in our Group?) Billy Francis joined Blog Contributor Nick Scarpello for several races in the Southern California paradise.  They rocked their Alumni Singlets in splendid fashion.  A new round of Alumni Singlet, Alumni T-Shirt and possible Alumni Jacket (???) sales will be commencing soon. (Vote on the left sidebar poll to show interest in adding jackets to our sales.)  But Nick and Billy probably will never need a jacket until they visit us in Happy Valley?

Billy Francis and Nick Scarpello.

Alumni Singlets Bring Out The Best

Blog contributor Nick Scarpello has kept in touch with us with his frequent posts from his new life on the Left Coast.  Despite a new environment, a new job (welcome to the wild world of work, a four-letter word ending in k!), Nick is still burning up the roads and track and working out like a maniac.

Enough that he set a 5000M PR at the Mt. Sac Relays last weekend wearing his Alumni Singlet.  I thought someone here at the blog with it all should mention it.   14:14.83  ain't half bad for a working stiff!

And Nick also has started a new blog which I will link on the right sidebar.  It's always good for us ancient types to know what the youngins are up to.

Nick Scarpello's Blog

I hope this doesn't mean he'll forget all about us!

Updates On Recent Events

 

First up, co-blogger Nick Scarpello helped organize and ran in the Encinitas Mile.  He placed 7th overall in 4:27.  No word on the use of the Alumni Singlet.

Nick Scarpello 2nd from right.

Next, Beth Shisler and son Alex Shisler helped celebrate his All-American status with Beth's coach during her All-American past.  Coach Gary Schwartz retired to the Arkansas area following his great career.

Beth (Stever) Shisler in the lead.

Coach Schwartz with his wife and the Shislers.

And Kara (Millhouse) Foster placed 9th at the USATF 15 K Championships Gate River Run.

Kara Foster at the finish.

The top ten women.

It's Deja Vu All Over Again

My perusal of the internet netted me this pic of Blog Contributor Nick Scarpello following a fine 10-Miler in 51:16, which is almost exactly my PR for the distance.  I won't tell him by how many seconds I bested him in 1977!  But then again, today 10 miles takes me 3 days or more, so I'm not bragging.  I won a frozen turkey back then but I think he won cash. Nice run Nick!

Excellent use of the Alumni Singlet.

Maximum exposure of Alumni Singlet!

And be sure to contact Nick if you are interested in The Encinitas Mile.

Alumni Singlet Spotted on the Left Coast!

Co-Blogger Nick Scarpello and Tyler McCandless.

Co-Blogger Nick Scarpello unveiled his fairly new Alumni singlet in his adopted land out west at the Surfing Madonna 5K Saturday in Encinitas, CA.  The previous victories at the Sea Isle City Beach Run prepared Tyler McCandless for his 3rd place finish.  (And note the PSU head-band on Tyler, since he can't wear his Alumni Singlet.)  Nick placed 8th in PSU splendor!

Challenge Accepted

I'm sure you are all aware of ALS Ice Bucket Challenge that is sweeping the nation thanks to social media.If you are living under rock the following videos will bring you up to speed as Coach Gondak accepts the challenge from co-blogger Nick Scarpello. More to come if the folks Gondak has called out accept the challenge.

On an unrelated topic, Shana Cox has helped The United Kingdom follow up their bronze medal 4x400 at the Commonwealth Games with another bronze at the European Championships. Results here

Post by Nick Scarpello.

Post by Penn State Cross Country and Track and Field.

Update: Mark Parker was challenged by Kobe Bryant and accepted as well.

Nike President & CEO Mark Parker accepts @KobeBryant's #ALSIceBucketChallenge http://t.co/5gTI8fcM2Q pic.twitter.com/IvIfPMBYdD
— Heidi Burgett (@heidiburgett) August 18, 2014

The Best and the Brightest

"Athletics is for education and recreation, nothing else. Winning is important only in that you learn more."-Coach Harry Groves, 5/21/2011 at the Alumni "Run".

With Coach Groves' words, we must point out that Penn State is excelling not only on the track, but in the classroom and in the world beyond.

Penn State's academic success was honored recently with a record number of Spring Academic All-Big Ten athletes in all sports.  But at the head of the class were 2 PSU Track athletes with perfect 4.0 grade-point averages, also tops in the Big Ten, Emily Giannotti and Katie Rodden.  A tip of my cap goes to both.

Emily Giannotti

Katie Rodden

Thirty-four track and field athletes attained All-Big Ten honors:

Men's Track and Field (13)
Bernard Bennett-Green	Sr.	Journalism	Drexel Hill, Pa.
Ryan Brennan	Jr.	Security And Risk Analysis	Chester, N.Y.
Robert Cardina	So.	Communications	Lancaster, Pa.
Robert Creese	Jr.	Mathematics	Mount Airy, Md.
Thomas Damiani	So.	Science	Dalton, Pa.
Matthew Fischer	Sr.	Marketing	Kennett Square, Pa.
Russell Hedrick	Sr.	Energy Engineering	Schwenksville, Pa.
Jonathan Hendershot	Sr.	Supply Chain And Information Systems	Nazareth, Pa.
Daniel Jordan	Sr.	Recreation, Park, & Tourism Management	Boalsburg, Pa.
Alex Kenney	Gr.	Communication Arts and Sciences	State College, Pa.
Michael McClelland	Jr.	Communication Arts and Sciences	Washington, Pa.
Aaron Nadolsky	Sr.	Communication Arts and Sciences	Altoona, Pa.
Nicholas Scarpello	Sr.	Advertising/Public Relations	Jamison, Pa.
Women's Track and Field (21)
Leigha Anderson	Jr.	Labor Studies and Employment Relations	Carlisle, Pa.
Abigail Benson	Jr.	Nutritional Sciences	Elma, N.Y.
Shelley Black	Jr.	Kinesiology	Hanover Township, Pa.
Dynasty Boxley-McGee	Jr.	Journalism	Ypsilanti, Mich.
Megan Boyer	Sr.	Human Development & Family Studies	Millersburg, Pa.
Rachel Casciano	Jr.	Advertising/Public Relations	Wyomissing, Pa.
Gabrielle Cocco	Sr.	Journalism	Allentown, Pa.
Kelsey Couts	Sr.	Interdisciplinary Digital Studio	Powell, Ohio
Emily Giannotti	Sr.	Counselor Education	Coudersport, Pa.
Lauren Kenney	Jr.	Kinesiology	State College, Pa.
Marta Klebe	Sr.	Supply Chain and Information Systems	Chesterbrook, Pa.
Erin Knabe	So.	Science	Califon, N.J.
Danielle Kocjancic	Sr.	Communication Sciences & Disorders	Kane, Pa.
Melanie Leszcynski	Jr.	Marketing	Audubon, Pa.
Olivia Mangan	Sr.	Psychology	Huntingdon Valley, Pa.
Lauren Mills	Jr.	Nutritional Sciences	West Chester, Pa.
Sarah Palmer	Jr.	Kinesiology	Gansevoort, N.Y.
Gwenndolyn Porter	Sr.	Kinesiology	Clearfield, Pa.
Kathleen Rodden	Jr.	Kinesiology	Ardmore, Pa.
Kiah Seymour	So.	Communications	Washington, D.C.
Sarah Underwood So.		Undeclared	Alexandria, Va.

Of personal note are the superb performances of Olivia Mangan, daughter of our Chief Laundry and Morale Officer Larry Mangan, our very own newest Author Nick Scarpello, and Jonathan Hendershot, son of former Holder of the Golden Putter Dennis Hendershot,   And Baseballs Taylor Skerpon, son of vaulter Don Skerpon.

On Camaraderie and Rusty Boots

ca·ma·ra·de·rie

noun: camaraderie - mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together.

Our recent introduction to the newest author here, Nick Scarpello, and his very first post, got me to thinking about many things.  Which is one of my biggest weaknesses, I suppose.  The more I think, the more trouble I get into.

Nick's post was excellent, and reinforces what this whole blogging effort is for (among a few other things that are personal and not even understood by me!).  He rightly points out that:

• Golf is very low on the scale of importance at our group.  Even to the point of being irrelevant.  It's there to honor the origins in Clark Haley's Golf Tournament to thank Coach Groves for all that he did for him (and for the rest of us!).
• We all still have a passion for running, jumping or throwing, even if we can't do it any more!  At least we have a passion for others doing it, and doing it well at PSU.
• Our group is a starting line for reconnecting ALL ex-PSU Tracksters.  And although we are closer to the starting line of that, we have taken important strides towards the goal.  
• There is something special about those in our group.  I have realized in the past 6 years that PSU Track Alumni (Golfers) are the most accomplished, interesting and intelligent people I have come across.  And that's despite being exposed to the higher reaches of academia and medicine.
• He realizes I have an unhealthy appetite for  1-Star (or less) movie comedies.  Especially with Adam Sandler or Will Ferrel. I cannot stand slasher movies or CGI Super-hero flicks.
• All of us will eventually be overtaken by high-schoolers (girls, 3-legged dogs, old men, old women and....)
• Nick and I have not met yet, but I already know a lot about him.  And not through stalking!  I know many things about him just by his being a PSU Track Alumni (Golfer)!  I have also seen him run a couple of times (Unless that is considered stalking?)  And I know from social media sources that he loves his school, his teammates, and his family. There can be no finer member of our Group.  

Nick also brings up Rusty Boots.  Which has been a meme around these blog pages for quite some time.  Our efforts to run down the meaning and origins of Rusty Boots have previously met with less than success.  It turns out that placing last in the recent Coach Groves Tourney was a boon to the search for the fountainhead of our beloved chant.  All 3 of my foursome-mates knew more about the beginnings of Rusty Boots than anyone else I have run across.  I will be in touch with each of them in the near future to try to bring more definitive news to everyone, including names and dates  And even a photo of a facsimile of the original Rusty Boots, dating back to before the time when color was invented! I may offer a reward for the near-originals for bronzing and inclusion with the Coach Groves Memorial Cup!

The Newly Anointed Alumni Golfer

For those of you who may not have met me yet, I am the new guy. My name is Nick Scarpello, and I am honored to join the ranks of this highly esteemed group of track & field alumni golfers. Of course, to get to this point, I had to first go through a very important vetting process. And so fellow alumni golfer David Baskwill invited me to meet him on the White Course’s ninth green at 9 o’clock for my first test. I actually have some footage from the meeting.

After the necessary newbie pranking was over with, David got into the hard interview questions. First, I had to tell David that I've never won a free game in mini-golf. No extra benefits: still eligible.  Next, I had with me a titanium driver and demonstrated for him that I do in fact have a slice worse than Charles Barkley.

Bad golfer:  check.

Next I reached into the back pocket of my golf slacks and pulled out printed race results from last week's Henderson Distance Carnival.

This may confirm the rumors you have heard. In my first post-collegiate race, I was indeed defeated by not one, but two, high school runners. Therefore I officially enter into that generation of athletes complaining about new generations getting faster each and every year. Take note also of fellow alumnus Owen Dawson in eighth.

From left:  Kyle Dawson, Me, Owen Dawson,
and PSUT&F rising senior Glen Burkhardt.
May 31, 2014. Henderson Distance Carnival.

Overly-enthusiastic runner:  check.

I had David convinced. But just to be safe, we did Rusty Boots and the bond was sealed.

So that sequence of events is basically what brought me here today. That, along with a passion for running, a sincere desire to help in connecting the Penn State T&F family worldwide, and a firm belief that there is something special about our community. Just the fact that a Penn State T&F Alumnus whom I have NEVER met, David, (the story told above is completely fabricated) has invited me to contribute to this blog, and to do it with the help of a teammate and friend (Matt Groves) I think speaks volumes about what it means to be a Penn Stater. So thank you, David.

My goal here will be to help all present and future alumni golfers to recognize and appreciate the closeness of the Penn State Track & Field family, and to take pride in knowing that you…yes, YOU… are a valued part of this tradition. Whether you were a mid-pack fighter or an All-American, you are, and always will be, Penn State. And we are proud of you.

On another note, the team’s NCAA travel group should be touching down in Portland right about now. The championship action for Penn State starts this Wednesday, June 11, with Melissa Kurzdorfer in the Hammer at 4:30 p.m. EST. Mahagony Jones will be the first Nittany Lion on the track: she runs in the 100-meter semifinals on Wednesday at 8:45 p.m. EST.

Here is TV/broadcast info for the weekend:

Wednesday:  6:55 p.m. EST on ESPN3

Thursday:  6:55 p.m. EST on ESPN3

Friday:  7:30 p.m. EST on ESPNU

Saturday:  5:00 p.m. EST on ESPNU 

Alumni Debut

Nick Scarpello made his Alumni debut last night at the 9th Annual John Hay Memorial Pennsylvania Distance Festival at West Chester Henderson High School. Running the 1500 he came in 14th running 3:54.93. Also in the race was someone with a lot of post collegiate experience, Owen Dawson was 8th in 3:47.92

Meanwhile the shot put at the Prefontaine Classic was a smashing success.

Rank	Athlete	Nation	Result
1	HOFFA Reese	USA	21.64
2	KOVACS Joe	USA	21.46
3	CANTWELL Christian	USA	21.38
4	ROBERTS Kurt	USA	20.71
5	MAJEWSKI Tomasz	POL	20.59
6	WALSH Tom	NZL	20.51
7	LAURO Germán Luján	ARG	20.09
8	PRÁŠIL Ladislav	CZE	18.92

More Submitted (and Stolen!) Photos of Alums As We Await the Final Day of the 2014 NCAA Prelims

Cas Loxsom and Sam Borchers (2010? NCAA 800M)

Ricky Garcia (circa 1981)

Greg Fredericks (second row) Cemetery Hill, Van Cortlandt Park (1971)  Thanks to George Brose for the photo!

Ricky Garcia (inside) and Ted Lyon (third ) high school race 1977.

Kyle and Owen Dawson with our new author Nick Scarpello

Another Author!

I am pleased to announce that Nick Scarpello, recent graduate and enthusiastic Track Alumni (Golfer), has joined our small cadre of authors for the blog.  This will not affect my voluminous and mostly accurate posts to the blog!

Welcome Nick!

Big Ten Time

The men and women are off to the Big Ten Outdoor Championships at Purdue University. Traveling in style by the looks of it.


Photo courtesy of Dan Jordan

The Nittany Lions are in good position heading into the championship season. The latest USTFCCCA rankings has the men ranked 17th while the women have moved up four spots to 15th.

Also going into championship time on a high note is Melissa Kurzdorfer. She has been named Big Ten Women's Field Athlete of the Week for her double victory in the hammer and discus at the Jim Thorpe Invitational.

Information for the Big Ten Championships:
Meet schedule here
Live results will be available here
Bring your smart out of the golf course this weekend and get updates from @PennStateTFXC

UPDATE: The travel has not been as luxurious as the photo would lead you to believe. Nick Scarpello reporting live from the team bus.

@Groves10287 *UPDATE ON THE #BTD2 - party bus restroom out of order, AC unit broken. Made pit stop @ Fullington Bus Barn this a.m. 4 new bus
— Nick Scarpello (@NickScarpello) May 14, 2014

The Real World is Scary and Dark. But Your Alumni Singlet Will Protect You!

"Things just got real, real fast. So, seriously: remember every race. Appreciate every workout. Any chance to put on the jersey is a gift that not everyone has given to them. Whether you know it or not, your clock is always ticking."  -New Member Nick Scarpello.

Fifteen Hundred Mania

It seems everybody was placed into the 1500M this week for

the Nittany Lions.With some pretty good results at the 

Bucknell Invitational. 

1 Brannon Kidder SO    3:42.99*

2 Owen Dawson(Alumni)  3:43.61

5 Wade Endress   JR    3:45.33

6 Za'Von Watkins SO    3:45.79

9 Matt Fischer   JR    3:46.95 

22  Nick Scarpello  SR  3:51.79 

And I have received word that Owen Dawson and his brother  

Kyle Dawson will be lining up with the rest of the Alumni 

rabble at the Coach Groves Golf Tourney in May.  Be sure 

to join us for the worm burning and all the other 

festivities!

*4:00.54 Mile by the Reigel method  t2 = t1 * (d2 / d1)1.06

Fischer Fourth at Mid-Atlantic Pre-Nats: Lady Lions Also Third

Matt Fischer again led the race for a significant portion and finished fourth for the Nittany Lions.  The Men finished fifth overall with 3 Freshman chipping in.

The ladies (am I allowed to say that?) finished third and are projected to make the Nationals, although the official announcement won't come until 3:00PM today.

All-Region Finishers and Coach Gondak and Coach Sullivan.

PSU Lady Lions in the lead early.

The race was also the last XC race for Senior Nick Scarpello, who was third for the Men. He sums it up quite well.

Thanks everyone, to my mom and dad, and to Steve and bill and Ian for coming to my last race, and all my other friends and family and teammates who helped me through these last six cross country seasons. It went by way too fast and I will miss it a ton- I'll especially miss the nerves of the start line and that fire in the legs with 1000 meters to go. XC is the best season- a sport that made me feel overwhelmingly weak and yet immensely powerful all in the same moment, battling through the grass, dirt and mud with teammates. Feel so blessed to have ended it on a high note. Kicked it home with all I had. Thanks to those who supported me through it. Best of luck to Fischer, Leigha, and Marta (and the rest of the ladies if they qualify) at nationals. Kick a**, State!

I hated to tell him that things actually start to accelerate after college!  But I think he can handle it.

Connor Quinn and Nick Scarpello. Photo by Sally Smith Pondel.

Wade Endress, Nick Scarpello, Austin Pondel and Connor Quinn. Photo from Sally Smith Pondel.