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.

AND The Story Goes He Once Blew Up Coach Groves' Mailbox*

Penn State Track and Field Alumni Golfer Tom Kleban continues to make track and field better, both at the high school and college level.  The former decathlete gives a perspective to the sport that almost no one else can. 

Now he is a star of Town and Gown, my wife's go-to State College reference. 

Tom Kleban On The Track

* Coach Groves once told me that the Kleban brothers, Tom and Rick, lived in his neighborhood as kids and once blew up his mailbox with firecrackers as a Halloween prank.  The Interns have been unable to verify this claim.

More 80's Pics Sigh....

One of these guys is John Jon McKay, a former hammer thrower. But which one?

Addendum: Greg Reyner and Todd Leggett report that John Jon McKay is the middle cheerleader, second from the left.  Thanks to Judy Lynn Weaver for the correct spelling of Jon's name.


Gregg Garrity was on my dorm floor with Alan Scharsu and Don Skerpon.  There was always something happening in his room, but I don't think any of it was studying!  Gregg would have made a very fine PSU Trackster, as he was very, very fast.  In his Senior year he caught around 51 passes with 50 of them for first down or touchdown.  This was his last college catch.

Names people, I need names.

Addendum:  Tom Shiffer and Hugh Hamill respond!   1986 I believe is Mark Overheim, Dave Coney, and Steve Shisler. 1985 looks like Rick Kleban and Randy Moore. (Here at the blog with it all, we use more sources than the Rolling Stone!)

Dave Masgay mid-leap.

.

Quaint handout from the years before the Internet! That's Randy Moore on the bottom, isn't it?

Hugh and Tom:   1985 looks like Rick Kleban and Randy Moore.

All photos from Greg Reyner.

The Authoriatative* PSU Mens Alumni Indoor Records

Also compiled by Matt Groves from original sources (mostly his dad) and put into an Excel spreadsheet, translated into a pdf, sent to me via email  and then made into another Excel Spreadsheet, poorly manipulated and then posted in the blog that "gets everything wrong".

*Authoritative is meant as a bit of a joke, as was Definitive in a previous post.  Everyone (most) know that I'm an authority on things other than PSU Track Records and Excel.  Unfortunately, those with more knowledge about these things are hard to find and motivate to participate. We get corrections and admonitions all the time about things we have gotten wrong.  We welcome them.**  That's kind of the whole point of trying to generate interest in joining our group to honor Coach Groves along with the past and future of PSU Track/XC. Remember the mirth, and you can skip the golf.

** Small, caffeinated and poo-flinging monkeys are currently hard at work correcting the PSU Mens Alumni Road Race Records.  Another set of horrible monkeys is being recruited right now to correct these Indoor marks and the upcoming Outdoor marks.***

***Scorn and admonitions can be directed at me for any errors in accuracy, formatting and just general disdain at the effort.  I'm getting used to it.
 

Distance	Mark	Individual, Team	Year
55 meters	6.1	Barney Ewell '42	1947
"	6.1	Mike Sands '75	1980
60 meters	6.77	Mike Shine '76	1978
200 meters	21.25	Ryan Olkowski '02	2003
300 meters	34.5	Mike Sands '75	1976
400 meters	47.5	Mike Sands '75	1976
500 meters	1:03.9	Mike Sands '75	1976
800 meters	1:51.0	Randy Moore ' 85	1986
1000 meters	2:22.66	Randy Moore ' 85	1986
1500 meters	3:42.3	Larry Managn '81	1982
One mile	4:03.7	Greg Fredericks '72	1975
3000 meters	8:08.7	Greg Fredericks '72	1979
Two mile	8:35.0	'77	1979
5000 meters	13:39.27	James Carney '01	2005
60 meter HH	7.70	Mike Shine '76	1978
DMR	9:48.59	Owen Dawson '12, Kevin Fuller ' 10,	2012
		Ryan Foster ' 11, Brian Fuller ' 09
High Jump	7' 2 1/4"	Dave Kriz '96	1999
Long Jump	25' 3 1/4"	Rob Boulware '87	1988
Triple Jump	53' 2 3/4" (16.22m)	Ricardo Hall	1995
Pole Vault	17' 2"	Rick Kleban '85	1988
35 lb weight	65' 0"	Alvin Jackson '77	1980
Shot Put	70' 4 1/4" (21.44m)	C.J. Hunter '90	1999
Pentathlon	3909 pts.	Jamie Cook ' 97	2002
Heptathlon	5827 pts.	Ryan Olkowski '02	2005

 

Friday Night Raffle

There will be raffles held at the Friday Night Reunion Evening at Damon's featuring a blanket woven with the great photo of the Nittany Lion Shrine I took many year's ago.  It really came out great and will make a nice addition to anyone's home.  It was made by Photoweavers.  When I called to inquire about it I talked with a gentleman who was intrigued by the image and asked when I graduated.  Our discussion evolved until he learned the item was for a raffle of PSU Track Alumni athletes.  He immediately asked if I knew Rick Kleban, someone he had worked with following college.  Small world, isn't it?  Turns out his company makes many of the items for sale at The Lion's Pride downtown.  He says this blanket turned out better than many of those items.  Go check out the prices on those and tell me that free isn't a bargain!  Last time I talked with Coach Groves he told me a story about the Kleban Brothers blowing up his mailbox when they were little kids, something I'd never have the guts to do.

Great Performances #4: Decathlon

The Decathlon has been selected as the Great Performance #4. By that, I mean all PSU Decathletes get the recognition this esteemed prize confers. The decathlon has always intrigued me since attending Frank Zarnowski's Running Camp in 1975. He is the world's expert on the event and has millions of great stories to tell. He also grew up less than a mile from my home.

Past winners of the Great Performance Award include Don Ziter for his fraternity exploits, Vance Watson, Steve Shisler, Chris Mills and Randy Moore for a great 4 X 800 meter Relay, and Greg Fredericks for his NCAA and American Record 10,000 meter in 1972. Heavy emphasis is always placed on their proximity to the Harry Groves Golf Tournament. If they haven't actually participated, they have shown interest or attended the reunion. The decathlon selection is no different, as there are numerous PSU Track Alumni Golf concurrences.

Prior to my time, the decathlon record was held by Coach Bill Whittaker, one of last year's five champions, (don't ask how that's possible with foursomes!) Numerous decathlon event records are held by Rick Kleban and Tom Kleban, both have attended our reunion numerous times. The overall event record is held by Rick Kleban. And past PSU phenom and PSU Track Alumni Golfer Ryan Olkowski placed 11th at last year's Olympic Trials. We would love to have him again next year, with the rest of his foursome! (Just kidding Ryan, give us a ring.)

PSU decathlon records: First Day: Dave Masgay, 1987, 3,931 pts.
Second Day: James Cook, 1996 3,774 pts.
Total: Rick Kleban, 1985, 7,685 pts.

PSU decathlon event records:
100 meters: 11.01, Rick Kleban 1985, 858 points.
Long Jump: 23'7.25" Dave Masgay, 1987, 1170 pts.
Shot Put: 48' 9.5" Barry Walsh, 1989, 782 pts.
High Jump: 6' 8" , Barry Walsh, 1989, 831 pts.
400 meters: 47.65, Brian Kelley, 1991, 926 pts.
4,567 First Day
110 meter HH: 14.45, Rick Kleban, 1987, 917 pts.
Discus: 155' 3" James Cook, 1997, 815 pts.
Pole Vault: 16' 2" Rick Kleban, 1985, 892 pts.
Javelin: 206' 2" Shawn Colligan, 2008, 781 pts.
1500 meter: 4:21.05 Tom Kleban, 1989, 804 pts.
4,209 Second Day
8,776 Total

All you distance guys!! Give me your PR's in all the events in the comments, and let's see how we compare. Have any of you actually pole vaulted?