All* the PSU Mentions in the Year End Track and Field News Rankings

1. Casimir Loxsom                     1:45.75           800M
2. Brannon Kidder                      1:46.87           800M
3. Za'Von Watkins                       2:22.02         1000M
4. Ryan Brennan                          2:23.14         1000M
5. Robbie Creese                         3:57.11          1 Mile
6. Tyler McCandless                   1:03:16          1/2 Marathon
7. Tyler McCandless                   2:16:46          Marathon
8. Jon Hendershot                        7' 3.25"         High Jump
9. Ryan Whiting                          73' 1.25"        Shot Put  (1)
10. Michael Shuey                        230' 6"           Javelin
11. PSU 4 x 400 M Men                  3:06.21          
12. PSU 4 x 800 M   Men                7:14.14          (1) (World Leader)
13. PSU 4 x Mile   Men                16:19.72    
14. PSU Sprint Medley Men          3:18.52
15. PSU Distance Medley Men      9:24.68
16. Mahogany Jones                         11.33          100M
17. Mahogany Jones                         23.19           200M
18. Shana Cox                                51.12             400M
19. Bridget Franek                         9:35.42          3000 M SC
20. Natalie Bower                         10:07.86         3000 M SC
21. Evonne Britton                        13.06              100M Hurdle
22. Kiah Seymour                         58.22              400M Hurdle
23. Stephanie Pezzullo                  1:13:58           1/2 Marathon
24. Stephanie Pezzullo                  2:38:03           Marathon
25. Marlene Ricketts                     42' 4.75"         Triple Jump
26. Laura Loht                               177' 8"            Javelin
27. Lauren Kenney                        177 3"             Javelin
28. PSU 4 x 400M Women           3:33.47        
29. PSU 4 x 1500M Women         18:02.32
30. PSU Sprint Medley Women    3:53.21

* Of course I missed some.  So anyone knowing of others, please add them in the comments.

Quite a Bit For a High School Senior

Tessa Barrett

When Tessa Barrett crossed the line first at the Foot Locker National Championships in California last month, she set off a lot of jabber from many different directions.

There were the various naysayers of the relative quality of the Foot Locker versus the Nike Cross Country Nationals.  There were the band-wagon jumpers from all over.  There were the haters from the web-sites, who seem to jump at any opportunity to degrade just about anyone.  There were even the Penn State Haters out there who have no clue about our program and just want to somehow align us with a horrible predator none of us has ever had anything to do with. 

Web Site Madness

Tessa blogs!

But then there's Coach John Gondak and the rest of the coaching staff who had her signed up for a Nittany Lion education even before all of that happened.

Welcome Tessa, we look forward to your growth as an athlete and a student.

Time Is Running Out For Voting In The Performance of The Year!

There is still a little time left to vote.  Go to the left sidebar and vote for your top 2 before time runs out. This year's Finalists are:

1. Casimir Loxsom - Athlete of the Meet at Penn Relays.
2. Ryan Whiting 2nd at the IAAF World Championships in the Shot Put.
3. Casimir Loxsom, Brannon Kidder finishing 2 and 3 in the 800 M at the NCAA Championships.
4. Distance Medley Relay Victory at Penn Relays (First since 1959).
5. Cas Loxsom's American Record 600 M at Big Ten Indoor Championships.
6. Distance Medley Relay Record 9:26.6.

And don't forget to nominate any worthy performances on the right side bar at any time during the next year.  Any activity qualifies, not just athletic performances.

A Christmas Miracle: Hope For My Golf Game!

Artist's conception of me improving my golf game.

The fact is, that for the past several years I have only golfed once a year.  That's readily apparent to anyone who comes to the event.  Not a good way to impress anyone on that special weekend in May.  Those who pay just a little attention think that golf is a big part of what's going on here.  That isn't true.  But certainly golfing with us and Coach Groves is highly recommended. I really wish I could practice just a bit for the event, but I know I won't.

But! I have been dismayed that I have been experiencing difficulty with sleep lately.  Whether it is due to a general lack of fitness, aging or some other nefarious reason has had me a little worried.

Now that I have read this in the NYT, I can only pray for the onset of sleep apnea!

A Christmas Present From Billy Da Kid.

Here is a video of Casimir Loxsom that has been making the internet rounds, including the front page of LetsRun and Flotrack. Filmed by current varsity team member Billy Cvecko and discusses Cas transition to post collegiate training. 

Casimir Loxsom from Billy Cvecko on Vimeo.

Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to My (and Matt's etc.!) Dozens of Readers

Don't forget to vote for your top 2 Performances of the Year on the left sidebar.  Go ahead, you lurker there.  We won't bite.  And the NSA doesn't even care if you click on any of them anyway. You are safe with us.

Remember to support Track and Field in all it's forms, especially Penn State's special version.

Finals of the Penn State Track and Field Alumni Golf Performance of the Year Awards!

It is that special time of year.  Of course, I'm talking about our Annual POY Awards.  Last year's winner, Bridget Franek, received a prize pack worth over $100 from our very own store.  I'm busy scrounging up loose change to be able to do the same this year.

The second Semi-Round is complete with 3 more added to the finals.  So that means the six Finalists are:

1. Casimir Loxsom - Athlete of the Meet at Penn Relays.
2. Ryan Whiting 2nd at the IAAF World Championships in the Shot Put.
3. Casimir Loxsom, Brannon Kidder finishing 2 and 3 in the 800 M at the NCAA Championships.
4. Distance Medley Relay Victory at Penn Relays (First since 1959).
5. Cas Loxsom's American Record 600 M at Big Ten Indoor Championships.
6. Distance Medley Relay Record 9:26.6.

I am allowing everyone to vote for their top 2.  Vote on the left sidebar.  Those who only lurk through mobile means may need to visit the full web site to see the poll.  Please spread the word to everyone you know.  The more the merrier!

Happy Birthday Joe

There are those on each side of the fence on Coach Paterno, and I know where I stand.  I'm a fairly good judge of character, but a much better judge of lack of character. And there was none of that in the Joe Paterno I crossed paths with numerous times.

My favorite of all encounters was just a few minutes after a home victory sometime in the early 90's (when I actually rented a year-round efficiency apartment on College Avenue in order to go to all the games year-round).

After the game. like thousands of others, I was trudging to the Creamery (in the old location near North Halls).  I was waiting for someone, just standing around watching the hordes.  A pick up truck split the crowd and stopped at the intersection.  Out from the bed jumped JoePa, who calmly walked away toward home, with only me realizing who he was.  I read later that he had guests for dinner and couldn't be late.  Just minutes after the game. He usually walked the whole way.

And there was that other time that I said "hello" to him as he walked by the White Course during our Coach Groves Golf Tourney in 2006.  That's the one that got me onto the Coach Groves Memorial Cup.  Yeah, I don't believe in coincidences either!

Jay Paterno alone at his father's statue.(Photo by Barb Black during an early Sunday run.)

Happy Birthday Joe.

"The Rest of the Story"

Yeah, I stole that.  I do that a lot.  But it fits this post so well..

When several very astute and alert people in our Group saw that brief glimpse of a Penn State Track jacket at the Mandela Funeral in South Africa, the question went out.  "Who is it?"

It wasn't long until he was identified via the email listserv.  But then it ended...

I wanted to know more.  And as someone who has taken it upon himself to try to "herd cats" and unite all PSU Track and Field/XC Alumni, I had to find out more.

Well, I was successful.  And in the Spirit of this Season, it brings a measure of Hope with it.  Nelson Mandela is rightly seen by many around the world as South Africa's George Washington.  And that doesn't demean either one of them, it actually enhances each of them. Both were given the opportunity to become "Kings" following long durations of suffering and "battles" lost.  But when given the opportunity, both said "no" and ruled with magnanimity, compassion and wisdom.  Take a look at the trajectories of South Africa and Zimbabwe, and you know how much Mandela means to the world.

It turns out that it was Tim Webb, Class of 1990 High Jumper, Triple Jumper and Long Jumper who was there for that brief snippet on NBC News.  But I've written posts on much less than that snippet.  Hence, this post.

Tim Webb, Class of 1990.

I got in touch with Tim via the wonderful part of the Internet and got the opportunity to find out more about the whole thing.  I'll just give you what he emailed me:

I came to visit my American Family in Johanesburg for thanksgiving. Once I got the news on the 5th of December I was compelled to extend my stay.
 
My family friend Ricardo Gressel was my host and his wife is a long term ANC supporter. They built a Mandela garden in their front yard and every night we lit candles and sung freedom songs.  What is unique about this is they live in a majority white neighborhood and they wanted to let their neighbors and community know that they could celebrate Madiba life with them as he was a man for all the people no matter what the color. See attached picture.
On Tuesday we left at 4:40 am in the morning on the local train to FNB stadium in Soweto where the Memorial Service for the public was held.  This was an awesome and unique experience as the family and other comrades as they boarded the train sang and danced on the train all the way to the Stadium gates at 6:00 am for a program that did not start till noon.  This was amazing to see the unity and togetherness and love for Madiba. To top it off our president did an excellent Job!  See pictures of Obama on Screen and my family who attended as well.
Unfortunately the Funeral event was VIP so I did not make it to the burial. However every night including Sunday we lit candles and song freedom songs. We also visited Mandela home as well to lay flowers and pay our respects.
I have made t shirts we want to sell for $20 dollars with $5.00 going to Mandela Children's Foundation. See the picture at Nelson Mandela house.
On a different note I have been to SA many times as a Fellow of the Emerging Leaders Program organized by Former Ambassador to South Africa Jim Joseph and Duke University and The University of Capetown in 2004 and several times thereafter upto 2006. This was my first time back in 7 years.  I intend to come home for the holidays and return to SA to work on housing development and other ventures.
If you can, I would appreciate it if you could get that clip for me.  Also tell Rodger Williams I said HI!

We Missed At Least One!

It turns out that Chris McGinness also ran the USATF Club Championships last week.  Since I try not  to slight anyone (but of course manage to do so on a nearly daily basis anyway), here's a great picture of a Chris McGinness Snow Angel I stole from the wonderful internetty thingie.

Another Academic Honor By Marriage

Way back, even before I made it to PSU, I met Heather Carmichael at an all-comers meet at Millersville.  She was there with Arthur Lydiard scouting out colleges for his "girls".  I had the pleasure of meeting both of them after I won the 2-Mile and the Steeplechase that day.  Took a nice warm-down run with her when she said she was leaning toward PSU, where I had just found out that Coach Groves would allow me to walk on.  Small world!  I still have one of the mittens Heather made for me in 1978.  Apparently, knitting is easy for someone from a land where sheep outnumber people 2 to 1.


Our Official Physicist and great friend Brian Boyer sent me word of her husband Tom Richardson's recent honor of a Penn State Alumni  Fellow Award.

Heather Carmichael, foreground, with Arthur Lydiard.

An Expanding Group and Help Wanted!

I've received submissions from all kinds of sources lately.  I have to say, I'm really pleased.  If I've dropped the ball on any of them, I'm sorry.  My day job is really starting to interfere with my blogging.

First up, we already know that Tessa Barrett, a future Nittany Lion won the Footlocker National XC Championship last weekend. Also in the race was Regan Rome from Dallas PA, daughter of PSU Track Alumni (Golfer) Amy Aston Rome. She finished 28th.

Scott Munro sends me word on Chris Pruitt, Class of 2004, who happens to still be burning up the roads in Suburban DC.

And just today, several people have sent me word on an Academic Highlight from one of our own.  Jonathan Pritchard has been honored as one of eight PSU Scientists with the Outstanding Science Alumni Award!  I have taken it on myself to add him to next year's Performance of the Year Awards for that.

Remember to vote in the Semi-Finals for the 2013 Performance of the Year.  The second round is a close one to see three more advance to the finals.  You mobile lurkers are being outed again.  Come to the full web site and vote on the left side-bar.  "It don't cost nuthin."

And I'm looking for some help in creating our group's very first podcast.  I'm looking for someone who has some knowledge on the subject to contact me for some advice.  The rewards will be great.