SUMMER ALL-COMERS' MEETS: Tuesday, June 22, 1999

(reprinted from posts to the NVTC listerve; thanks to Marty Mazur & Bill Whittaker)

The second weekly All-Comer's Track Meet was another huge success.  I'd guess there were on the order of
100-150 participants, as well as many onlookers (including 1948 Olympian Herm Goffberg, who is on hand as often as he is able.). The 50m, 100m and 200m races all had 6 or 8 heats, with dozens of kids 5 to 10 years old.

There were 46 boys alone signed up for the 200m! Even though by that time the meet was running late, most of those who signed up ran it. The two one-mile heats were actually quite crowded. They broke it up by asking those who thought they would break 5:30 to run the "fast" heat, and those who thought they wouldn't to run the "slow" heat.  Sandbagger Tom Cali easily won the "slow" heat in 5:29.999999, and he was as far ahead of most of the rest of the pack after two laps as he was at the end. I think that because he didn't run 5:30.00001 instead, he owes the rest of us in that heat some pizza. Jim Kisenwether was closing on Tom, but will not split the pizza bill as he ran 5:33. Morgan and I continued our mile "competition". I finished in 5:57, and she was 6 or 8 seconds ahead of me. I got her in the 800, though. Sandy Gregorich was a couple of seconds ahead of Morgan. Also running the mile were Mike Dooris and Jim Moore, who knocked off about 10 seconds from his time of last week. A surprising number of kids in the 12-14 age bracket ran the mile, at least one finishing in under 6 minutes. The fastest heat, with the usual assortment of excellent runners (high school, college, or not-far-removed), was won in 4:24.

Other notable particpants: Bob Crowe, big kid, ran as many distance events as he could get his hands on. He beat me in the mile, I got him back in the 800, and last I saw, he was heading out on the 3200, still breathing hard
from his 800. "The Postman", Denny Simonetti, was there trying to smash records. He delivered the mail, running a PR in the 400 in around 58 seconds. Not bad for a 39-year old who spends most of his day on his feet.
Paul Bolin ran a 62 second 400.  Twelve-year old Erin Latta continues to crank out  400's at about 72 seconds every week.  Also on hand after their stunning performances in the OLV Summerfest Mile were Andy Mazur, Sean Griffin and Rob Regan. The trio of 12-year olds decided to concentrate on sprints last
night and teamed up with Matt Groves to slam-dunk the 4X100.  Sean also won his heat of the 100m race.

See You Next Tuesday!

Martin A. Mazur http://www.personal.psu.edu/mxm14/


There was a good turnout in the throws last night as well.  The javelin, shot put, and discus had throwers from 13 years old to 50 years old with 1 or 2 first-time throwers competing.  One thrower showed up for the hammer
also.  With 1 or 2 more volunteers we could also have a softball or tennis-ball throwing event.  I would be willing to come a little early and do a clinic or help with some instruction in the events at 5:00 or 5:30 pm if there is interest.  Let's not forget the high jump, which is a fun and exciting event for all ages, or the pole vault (which requires some experience).

Bill Whittaker
Asst. Track and Field Coach
Penn State University