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Lead Stories: Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Forgues, Vergara Twins Named 2007 Henry Laskau Award Winners

Posted November 24th, 2007 at 2:29 PM by Martin Kennedy

Section: News & Results

Lauren Forgues and twins Ricardo and Roberto Vergara, have been named the 2007 Henry Laskau Award winners. Now in its fourth year, the Laskau Awards are presented annually to the top USA junior male and female race walkers. The awards will be presented during ceremonies December 1 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The Laskau Awards commemorate the three-time Olympian’s accomplishments not only as an athlete, but as an inspirational master of the sport who promoted race walking at many levels, including converting numerous runners into race walkers. Laskau, who passed away in May of 2000, was the second race walker ever inducted into the National Track & Field Hall of Fame.
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Glaring Omission in National Track & Field Hall of Fame

Posted November 20th, 2007 at 5:13 PM by Jimmie R. Markham

Section: News & Results, Track & Field

Today the USATF announced the newest inductees into the National Track & Field Hall of Fame, the class of 2007: Jane Frederick (pentathlon/heptathlon), Calvin Smith (100m/200m), Glenn Morris (decathlon), George Woods (shot put) and Elvin C. “Ducky” Drake (coach). All are worthy candidates, but Don Bowden, the first American to break four minutes for the mile, should have been a part of this class.

On June 1st, 1957, Bowden, just 20 years old, ran a 3:58.7 mile in Stockton, CA to break Wes Santee’s 4:00.5 American record. By doing so, he became only the 12th man in history to break the 4:00 barrier for the mile run. His time that day also made him the third-fastest miler of all time. Without a doubt, an accomplishment like that stands head and shoulders above almost any other achievement imaginable in American Track & Field.
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Billy Mills to Welcome Youth Athletes at Junior Olympics

Posted November 16th, 2007 at 3:28 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Cross Country, Track & Field, Olympics

Billy_mills_gold_medal Olympic legend and National Track & Field Hall of Famer Bill Mills will be the special guest of honor at the 2007 USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships, USATF announced Friday. More than 3,000 athletes will compete at the event, to be held December 8 at Rim Rock Farm in Lawrence, Kansas.

The 1964 Olympic 10,000-meter champion and University of Kansas graduate, Mills will provide the young athletes attending the Junior Olympic Championships with an inspirational talk during the opening ceremonies. Mills will sign autographs and will be on-hand race day to support USATF’s young athletes.

“We are truly honored to have Mr. Mills attending the Junior Olympics and hope the young athletes can learn from his wonderful life story,” said USATF Missouri Valley President Gilbert Castillo, whose Association is hosting the Championships. “He’s not just a national hero, he is a local legend who is greatly admired by a wide range of people.”
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Olympic Medalist John Woodruff Passes Away

Posted November 1st, 2007 at 6:48 PM by Martha Jones

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics

According to The New York Times, National Track & Field Hall of Famer John Woodruff died Tuesday in Fountain Hills, Ariz. He was 92.

Best known for his amazing come-from-behind victory in the 800 meters at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany, Woodruff died of atrial fibrillation and chronic renal failure.

Of the 12 American men who won gold medals at the 1936 Olympics, Woodruff was the last survivor.

While only a freshman at the University of Pittsburgh in 1936, Woodruff took the track world by storm by finishing second in the 800 meters at the National AAU meet, then winning the Olympic Trials.

Despite his inexperience, he was quickly established as the favorite at the Berlin Olympics. He didn’t disappoint, though he had an anxious moment in the final when he found himself boxed in. He pulled a tactical coup, virtually slowing to a stop and waiting until the entire field passed him, then moving into the third lane and sprinting from last to first. His winning time was 1:52.9.
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USATF named one of 15 Most Influential Sports Education ‘’Teams'’ by I.I.S.

Posted October 18th, 2007 at 5:16 PM by Martha Jones

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Track & Field, Columns, Drugs In Sports, SPOTLIGHT

USA Track & Field has been named one of the 15 Most Influential Sports Education “Teams” by the Institute for International Sport. USATF was cited by the Institute for administering “major educational programs” such as Zero Tolerance and Be a Champion, which USATF will soon relaunch under a new brand name.

USATF was joined on the list by the Blauner Books Literary Agency, ESPN “Outside the Lines”, NPR’s “Only a Game”, the NBA’s “Read to Achieve” program, New York Times sports writers/columnists, Prevention Magazine, HBO “Real Sports”, Springfield College, The First Tee, the Department of Physical Education Competitive Sports Team at the United States Military Academy, National Senior Games Association, US Lacrosse, USA Swimming, and USA Today sports columnists/writers.

The Institute also named the 100 Most Influential Sports Educators in America, a list on which National Track & Field Hall of Famers Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Dr. Leroy Walker were joined by some of the highest-profile and most powerful people in sport.
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Silvester sets American masters record

Posted October 15th, 2007 at 5:46 PM by Martin Kennedy

Section: News & Results, Masters

National Track & Field Hall of Famer Jay Silvester set a M70 American masters record last Wednesday at the Huntsman World Senior Games in Saint George, Utah.

The 1972 Olympic silver medalist and former world record holder in the discus, Silvester’s winning throw of 50.27 meters/164 feet 11 inches smashed the previous record of 48.06m/157-8 set by Wendell Palmer in 2002.

Also at the Huntsman World Senior Games, Linda Cohn shattered the W55 American record in the javelin with her heave of 40.34m/132-4. The previous record of 28.06m/92-1 was set by LaTanya Glass in 2005. Marjorie Fitzgerald broke the W80 American 100 meter record, crossing the line in 18.76 seconds.
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