Another Singlet Update

Mark Le faucon de' orange Hawkins just reported that the Singlets and T-Shirts are now at the printer in State College.  So Mark will soon be sending them out!

This was the biggest ever sale, with 45 shirts being sent out to Alumni (Golfers) all over the country from years 1970 to 2019!  Quite a few of them will be at the Olympic Trials next year where Nittany Lions have a very good chance of making the team in a number of events.

I will take this opportunity to thank Mark profusely for doing all the work involved without making a big deal about it.  But all of you know that it is a big deal.  Be sure to thank him yourself whenever you can.

An Improbable Win

How can a team that came in third in the District 6 Championships and failed to advance to the State Championships end up winning it all in the State?  Can't happen, right?  (LetsRun.com thread HERE)

Wrong, because it just did this weekend.  And Penn State Track and Field Alumni Golfer Jayson Jackson helped make it happen.  He coaches the St. Joseph's Academy XC team in State College.  And even if the girls' team failed to advance to the State meet, 5 of the team members did make it on the individual requirements to make the trip.  And 5 runners make up a scoring team, so...

According to the rules of the PIAA, they count as a team in the scoring.  They then went on to run the races of their lives and not only beat both District 6 teams, but every other team in the single-A race, and climbed to the top of the podium!  Notice that Mark Haywood's Camp Hill team is third.

The coaching reach of Harry Groves extends to its 4th or 5th generation!  Well done.

 1 St Josephs Cath (6)      93    4   19   21   22   27            
  2 Marion Center (6)       116   14   18   23   29   32   49   59 
  3 Camp Hill (3)           119    9   13   17   37   43   64   73  

A Trip To States, A Birthday Card, And I Break One of Coach Groves' Favorite Rules

I made it to the PIAA Championships for the first time in many years.  I saw a few friends and missed many others.

Group Friend Henry Klugh and Franklin.

Coach Artie Gilkes and Hannah Humphreys

And PSU Great Curt Stone's 97th birthday is next week.  Greg Fredericks has a plan to send him a big birthday card from us.  I figured everyone should send a greeting to Curt on our Facebook Page and we will include them with a nice greeting from the entire group.

Finally, I purchased a new pair of running shoes from The Inside Track vendor (Henry Klugh's store between Hershey and Harrisburg).  They happened to be a pair of the most talked-about shoe in the world, the Vapor Zoom Fly.

After my first 2 runs in them, I can assure everyone that they do indeed have springs in them (a series of carbon plates in the midsole).   This reduced my heart rate by more than 5% during my treadmill runs at the same miserable speed I have been running all along.  This, of course, violates a rule that Coach Groves holds above nearly all others.

The Marquess of Queensberry rules were adopted long ago for the sport of boxing.  Coach Groves somehow has adopted them for use in running and general life and discussed them many times with me.  Officers of the Group even adopted them for use by our Annual Golf Tourney.  (For those unfamiliar with mirth, this is all tongue-in-cheek!)

One of the rules is that springs are not allowed in boxing shoes!  It remains to the brainiacs of the sport to decide whether they are in running shoes.

An Olympian In Many Ways

In addition to making the Olympic 10,000M team in 1980, with all-time greats Craig Virgin and Alberto Salazar, Greg Fredericks has been an Olympian in many other ways.  Each day he helps out Coach Groves at his living facility and takes him for a walk.  And he also keeps me fully loaded with post ideas and content.  Combined with his eternally optimistic attitude and family values, I know I picked the best of idols in my early running career in 1975.  Hats off for Greg!

First up is a video of the Olympian Recognition at the recent PSU White-Out game.  Greg actually tips his hat to us in this one!



Next is an interview with "the Moses" of PSU Cross-Country, Curt Stone.  (He led us through the desert to the promised land of the NCAA Championship by recruiting and assembling a storied group, including all 3 Ashenfelter brothers.)  Horace told me that if it wasn't for Curt, none of this would have ever happened.

WNEP Interview with Curt Stone

Greg was also the first to alert me to the upcoming end to Mark Parker's tenure as CEO of Nike.

Mark Parker stepping down

The Singlets Are Coming!

And the t-shirts...

Don't worry.  The very busy Officers of this Group haven't forgotten about your orders for Alumni Singlets and T-Shirts.  If we haven't been in touch with you yet, soon we will make sure of your order and get the prestigious parcel to you to show off to the world!

There were around 30 new orders, with even more interest after the "deadline".  That will end up bringing our total to more than 300 out in the wild.  The Soon-To-Be Largest and Most Active Track and Field Alumni Group in the World keep getting stronger and stronger.

Diamond League Champion, Darrell Hill owns one!

Former World Best Indoor 600M runner, Cas Loxsom owns one!

 

An Unorthodox Way To Try For A Performance Of The Year Award

I have always said that you can win our annual award for anything, not just performances on the Track or Field or Cross Country Course.  Well, Doug Walter took me at my word and has a very fine performance to add to this year's voting.

Doug grew up in Chambersburg, PA with his Uncle Nephew* Nate Miller more like a brother than an uncle nephew. With Nate having recent health problems, Doug has jumped in and donated a portion of his liver to Nate in a recent surgery (or series of surgeries) at John Hopkins Hospital.  Anyone who knows even a little bit about this surgery knows it is not to be taken lightly.  Nate endured at least three surgeries totaling more than 24 hours.  Doug is just getting back on his feet after several days.  My prayers are with them both.  Doug, you get an automatic entry in this year's Performance of the Year!

Doug and Nate, preop.

Doug Walter, postop.

Thanks to Jake Bartholomy for alerting me to this story.   * Brian Boyer reports that Nate is Doug's nephew.  This blog wouldn't be what it is unless I get basic facts wrong!

Olympians In Beaver Stadium

Penn State Track and Field Olympians were honored on the field during the White-Out Game with Michigan.  Included were two of my heroes, Greg Fredericks and Curt Stone.  Curt was actually the brains and muscle behind Penn State's emergence as a Cross Country powerhouse in the late 1940s and early 1950s.  He recruited nearly all the athletes who made up a couple of NCAA Championship teams.  He will soon be 97 years old!

Greg Fredericks on the Jumbotron.

Curt Stone, center.

There are Track Alumni Golfer platinum points in store for anyone who can fill in all the names in the second photo!

That was quick!    Greg Fredericks, Steve Hayden, Curt Stone, Connie Moore and Shana Cox with AD Sandy Barbour.

Another Visitor For Coach Groves

Al Sheaffer, class of 1969 visits Coach Groves last weekend.  Photo from Greg Fredericks.

A Lot Of Familiar Faces

The 1982 XC Team still had a lot of comrades in common with my last team in 1980.  With the addition of so many "youngsters" who attend our Reunion and Golf Tourney each year, it makes for a trip down Memory Lane.

Please make comments below, or on our Facebook Page. 

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.

Inconceivable!

If I would tell you that the Shot Put Finals ended at the World Championships with the top 3 throwers within less than an inch AND all three threw further than anyone since 1990 (90s throws = tainted? cough, cough) you would probably say something like  "Inconceivable!"

And if I then said that a Nittany Lion came out on top of all three, you may say "Inconceivable" again.  There was another Nittany Lion just out of the medals in 5th too.

Inconceivable!

and yet it just happened...

Joe Kovacs, 22.91M ON HIS FINAL THROW

Ryan Crouser, 22.90M

Tomas Walsh, 22.90M

1	1908	Joe Kovacs	USA	22.91	CR	20.90	21.63	21.24	21.95	21.94	22.91
2	1879	Ryan Crouser	USA	22.90	PB	22.36	X	22.36	22.71	X	22.90
3	1504	Tomas Walsh	NZL	22.90	AR	22.90	X	X	X	X	X
4	334	Darlan Romani	BRA	22.53		21.61	22.53	22.03	22.13	X	X
5	1893	Darrell Hill	USA	21.65		20.58	21.38	21.65	X	21.23	X

Over 75 feet  (just short of 75' 2")

Track And Field Lost a Good Man

Bob Trump passed away last week.  Bob was a 1955 graduate of Penn State's fine Mining Engineering Program.  He was a stalwart of the Lancaster Lebanon Track world and was a wizard with a camera.  He will be missed by all.  My condolences to his family and friends.

His photo site has many gems.  Visit it HERE

I especially love his link to our web site he placed on his.  My link to his was plain and not exciting.  His link to our site was funny and appreciated.  Bob enjoyed the mirth on our site.  See if you can find it on his site.  It will be worth the search, as you will probably take detours to other interesting places.  

Robert ‘Bob’Paul Trump born on 02/12/31 in Kimmerlings, PA to Katherine Pearl (Longacre) and George E Trump passed away peacefully in his home at Cornwall Manor on 09/12/19 at the age of 88.A graduate of Lebanon High School in 1949, Bob met and married his beloved wife of 67 years, Louise Alice Wike in Schaefferstown, PA in 1952. Bob went on to earn a BS and MS in Mining Engineering from Penn State in 1954/55 and worked for Gulf Oil Corporation in Harmarville, PA for 25 years. Bob was instrumental as the Authority Chairman in the building and opening of the Butler CountyArea Vo-Tech School in 1979. During this time he lived in the Mars Area School District where he served as a school board member and president in the late 70’s. A member of multiple booster clubs his lifelong love of track and field began here in support of his daughters as he volunteered at their track meets.Bob with Louise always at his side returned to Schaefferstown in the early 80’s establishing Hillcrest Nursery on Sheep Hill Road. They both eventually fully retired in Newmanstown before settling in at Cornwall Manor. Bob’s greatest legacy was his unwavering and tireless dedication to student athletes in all places he called home. He became a registered PIAA and USA Track & Field official in 1977 and maintained those designations until his retirement from officiating in 2014. Following his return to Lebanon Countyhe continued to officiate track and cross country meets at numerous local high schools and universities including Penn State. Beyond officiatinghe delighted in photography and routinely posted photos of student athletes in action on his own website. Also providing up to date stats and records his site has been a popular spot for students and parents for years. The district’s annual Junior High Track & Field Invitational meet was renamed in honor of Bob and Louise in 2009. Recognitions and awards from Mars, ELCO, Penn State, Lebanon, and Lancaster organizations for his dedicated efforts are too numerous to detail but he was forever grateful. His entire family is and will forever be proud of him.Bob is survived by his wife Louise; brothers Richard and Phil Trump; daughters Karen & Anita Trump and Linda Trump McLaughlin; grandsons Anthony Jack, Arthur Halko, and Connor McLaughlin; granddaughter Haley (McLaughlin) Jacobs; as well as one great grandson on the way Xander Jacobs.His wish to have no public burial services is being honored and handled by Schaefferstown’s Clauser Funeral Home. The family does plan for a celebration of Bob’s life. The details will be provided on www.bobtrump.com. In lieu of flowers or other memorials the family suggests donations in Bob’s name bemade payable to ELCO Athletic Department and sent to 180 ELCO Drive, Myerstown, PA 17067.