Williky/Whiting Lincoln/Kennedy?

In 1977, one of the most highly recruited shot-putters was Gary Williky, a resident of New Jersey, ON THE EAST COAST.

In 2007*, one of the most highly recruited shot-putters was Ryan Whiting, a resident of Pennsylvania, which is next to New Jersey, ON THE EAST COAST. Unbelievable.

Both Ryan and Gary have last names beginning with "W".  Eerie.

Both Ryan and Gary have first names which are 4 letters long.  Can you believe it?

Both Ryan and Gary have last names which are 7 letters long.  It doesn't stop.

Both Ryan and Gary have been known to wear Nikes.* Astounding.

Gary started his Shot Put career at Penn State and then traveled to Arizona State.  Ryan started his Shot Put career at Arizona State and traveled to Penn State.  Unprecedented.

Both Ryan and Gary are 6' 3" tall.*  Uncanny.

Both Ryan and Gary like puppies.**  (and possibly kittens.)

Neither Ryan nor Gary are Vegans.* Certainly.

Both Ryan and Gary are married. I'm stretching it, aren't I?

ASU/PSU have 3 letters each. (hat-tip to Gary!)

Tempe and State College each have 5 numbers in its zip code. (another tip-o-the-cap to Gary!)

Both Ryan and Gary have Facial hair. (one last huzzah to Gary for this one!)

Gary held the ASU Shot Put record from 1981 until 2010, when RYAN WHITING surpassed it. (Records were made to be broken.)

* Facts may have been altered to fit the narrative. So shut up already.
** Everybody likes puppies, right?

Here's a fine rendition of the Lincoln/Kennedy coincidences.

I've Always Loved the Decathlon

Can't do it, but I do enjoy watching it.  It's also the greatest event for geeks and statistic junkies, which is exactly how Frank Zarnowski originally got interested in it.  I had the pleasure of meeting Professor Zarnowski while in high school and visiting his Cross Country Camp he ran with Navy's Al Cantello at Mount Saint Mary's College in Maryland.  It turns out he grew up just a stone's throw away from my homestead in Weiglestown, PA. He is from Shiloh, PA just across the raging Little Conawago Creek from the town of Weigle. He invited a very good runner from Massachusetts to the camp after watching him annihilate the Soviets in a Junior race in 1975, which is how I got to take a few runs with Alberto Salazar, well before anyone else had heard much about him.

Professor Zarnowski is a professor of economics at Mount Saint Marys and now Dartmouth, so his geek status was well entrenched before he ever contemplated the decathlon.  The rest is history, and is best learned from sources other than my own!  Here is his Decathlon Blog, which I'll also add the the right sidebar.

Another Nittany Lion to the Finals!

Bridget Franek secured her place in the Olympic Trials 3000 M Steeplechase Finals yesterday with the day's second best time.  Go Bridget!

(Photo from Mark Whitman.  Thanks, whoever you are!)

PSU is Shot Put U

Blake Eaton, Ryan Whiting and Joe Kovacs following the Finals of the Shot Put at the USATF Championships and Olympic Trials.

The Happy Valley trio did some extraordinary work over the two-day competition.  Blake ended up in 11th place3 (61' 8 1/2").  Joe set the new PSU record with a 4th place finish (69' 2") and Ryan made the Olympic team with his second place toss (71' 1/4").

And don't let me forget that Altoona's own PSU Sophomore Brady Gehret made the finals in the 400 M, where he ran the fastest 300 M of his life.  As he said after, "Too bad the race is 400 M!" .  I cannot wait to see what the next two years will bring him!


Watch more video of 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, Track & Field on flotrack.org




Next up for PSU is Bridget Franek in the Steeplechase Prelims.

Four With Nittany Lion Ties In Finals Today

Brady Gehret will be smack dab in the middle of today's 400 M Finals at the Olympic Trials after he again tied his PR with a 45.22 tin the semi-finals.  Good Luck Brady!

And all 3 Shot Putters from Happy Valley will appear in today's Finals!  Assistant Coach Ryan Whiting is currently in third place while Blake Eaton and Joe Kovacs are in 5th and 10th place with the final 3 throws to come. Even I have caught Shot Put Fever lately with Blake and Joe checking out my form at the Alumni "Run" in May.

Thanks to Larry Mangan for the article and my daughter Anne for the photo!

Chris Cralle Earns an Honorary Group Membership

Who says we don't like the Hammer here?  Especially when it comes with a soft-spoken Texan with a plain green t-shirt coming in second at the American National Championships!  I salute you Chris!

"Iron Butt" is Logging a Lot of Miles

Paul Mundy is on another Cross-Country trip on his motorcycle (made in York, PA if anyone is interested!).  You can follow his exploits on his daughter's blog, who joins him on large portions of his excursions.  Since I can't possibly do what he does, I'm certainly glad someone is there to help me pretend. May the roads be smooth, and the seats be soft!

Gehret Moves On!

Brady Gehret was third in his heat of the opening round of the Olympic Trials 400 M, securing a place in the semi-finals.  His overall place was 11th with a 45.80 in the cold,cold Oregon rain.

Here's an article in the CDT on Brady sent by our intrepid and ever-vigilant Datum Procurement Specialist.  The photo was secured from Rebekka Simko, who placed 27th in the 800 M with a 2:07.33. Casimir Loxsom placed 26th in the 800 M with a 1:49.25.

Rebecca Donaghue ran a game 10000 M through the puddles,  placing 13th in 32:37.39.

Today, 3 with Nittany Lion ties put themselves in the circle in the Mens Shot Put.

Another Reason Aspiring High School Distance Runners Should Choose Penn State

Among the hundreds of reasons why Penn State is a great choice for distance runners is the opportunity to run in some of the most beautiful locations in the country.  Some of my favorite "Mountain" runs are:

1. Bear Meadows/Switchbacks
2. Pine Barrens
3. Colyer Lake
4. Harry's Valley Road
5. Deer Pens/Observatory/Game Lands

I rarely complained about the Sunday Mountain Runs and have always considered them one of the highlights of my PSU years.

Here's an article discussing how running in a forest is twice as good as running in a gym. We may have to arrange for the Alumni "Run" to be downhill at one of the Mountain Runs with handy Van transportation to and from.  (Maybe it isn't such a good idea for those of us who have experienced being lost on one of these runs!)

Beauty and The Beasts

In addition to Brady Gehret and Casimir Loxsom, Rebekka Simko will also be on the track Friday at the Olympic Trials.  Her recent 2:03 School Record places her into the top echelon of American "half milers".

The photo shows Nittany Lions Joe Kovacs and Blake Eaton checking out the facilities at Hayward Field.  And don't forget Assistant Coach Ryan Whiting will join them to give the Shot Put a distinctive Blue hue.

Here's a better view of Hayward Field for Joe and Blake to peruse, with the addition of some great golf tips thrown in.

Wiki Needs Leaks!

There have been a few anonymous edits of the very new Group Wiki, but much more is needed. Stop by and add a page, amend an error, add a sentence, supply a photo or video or just check it out and pass it along to a friend.  I added the Official Rules of the Coach Groves Golf Tournament recently which could convince a few more of you to join us next year!

First Up at Trials Will Be Gehret and Loxsom

The first PSU Athletes to see action in the Olympic Trials will be Brady Gehret and Casimir Loxsom, pictured here on the right and left with the other members of the Penn Relays Sprint Medley Relay victors.

Brady Gehret will be in the opening round of the 400 M on Friday June 22 at 3:10 PM (Pacific Time).  He has qualified with the 14th fastest time in 45.22.

Casimir Loxsom will lace up his spikes at 5:20 PM (Pacific Time) on the same day in the 800 M.  He has the 8th fastest time in qualifying with his 1:45.28.

Here is a listing of the TV Coverage for the events.