So Cal Track Club was awarded its 17th National Team title at the 2018 USATF Masters Outdoor Track & Field Championships on July 26-29 at Spokane, WA. Bob Culling (M-85-89) broke the American record in 2,000m Steeplechase with a time of 12:55.75 – the old record was held by Gunner Linde of 13:28.68 (30 second improvement over old American record.) M-60-64 Shuttle hurdle relay broke American Record (McLawhorn, Anton, Niroumand, Davison) 1:12.89 (old record 1:23.51). Full story.
Last week, nearly 9,000 athletes competed at the USATF Hershey National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships with 128 national titles up for grabs and they set 18 new American youth records in the process. 2018 Results | USATF.TV Video Replay
The 2018 USATF So Cal Open and Masters Race Walk Chairs are interested in your feedback. In an effort to better serve our race walking membership, please take our 5 minute survey on the current Racewalk programs.
Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/L83BVKK
For additional thoughts, suggestions, and comments, feel free to reach out to the following:
George Papacalos
Open RaceWalk Chair
openrw@scausatf.org
562-310-5172
Duane Dyar
Masters RaceWalk Chair
mastersrw@scausatf.org
909-946-3619
One of our members reported receiving the following scam GoFundMe donation request that included a USATF logo. Please be careful and confirm any requests that you receive.
Crystal would like you to support Help Support Charles
by making a donation and helping spread the word.
I’m trying to raise $15,000
$6,750 RAISED / 18 SUPPORTERS / 18 DAYS LEFT
“Charles is a 3 year old boy who desperately needs your help. In March 2018, Charles was diagnosed with a rare disease known as Cholesteatoma, which causes a tumor to grow behind his ear drum.
This life threatening tumor is growing daily and needs to be operated on urgently before it eventually grows into his brain. A pioneering operation costing $15,000 is available privately, we have been able to raise $6,750 but we still need $8,250. This operation will not only lasers the tumor away, but it will also reduce the risk of Charles needing further treatment.
Charles wants to be a doctor when he grows up. Please help us raise the money for Charles operation so that he can live a normal, healthy life and fulfill his dream.
Please share your prayers and financial support to encourage Charles in this battle. Every dollar counts and any amount donated will be highly appreciated.”
Janes Elite Racing – Women’s 50-59 – 4 x 800m Relay – American Record
This morning at the USATF So Cal Masters Track & Field Championships at West L.A. College the Janes Elite Racing team dominated with setting a new Masters Outdoor American Record in the W50-59 4x800m relay with a blazing time of 10:26.85. They crushed the standing American Record of 10:45.23, set by Athena T.C. in 2012, by over 18 seconds. The racing order of Tania Fischer (52), Kathy Cushing-Murray (53), Kirsten O’Hara-Leetch (53), and Judith Stobbe (53) logged splits:
1:13.72
2:33.99 (1:20)
3:52.74 (1:18)
5:18.84 (1:25)
6:32.29 (1:13)
7:55.78 (1:23)
9:06.70 (1:10)
10:26.85 (1:19)
Congratulations to the Janes on this amazing performance!
We are happy to announce this year that the SCA Athlete’s Advisory Committee has funding available for assistance to our member athletes. Funds have been set aside to support our Masters and Para-Athletes who need financial assistance for championship travel, registration fees, etc. (ie., USATF Masters Nationals (Spokane, WA), World Masters Championships (Malaga, Spain), Para-Athletics Youth World Games (Athlone, Ireland).
If you wish to apply, complete the 2018 USATF So Cal Athlete Funding Form and you may contact SCA Athlete Representative Chair, Lorraine Williams at 562-335-6727 or SCA Treasurer at treasurer@scausatf.org.
Join members of Janes Elite Racing team on Wed, June 6th at the north entrance to Santa Monica Pier at 6:00pm for a group run. FUN in the SUN! The IAAF created IAAF Run 24:1, a series of 24 one-mile runs that will be contested around the world. The IAAF selected Janes Elite Racing to run a mile as part of the global initiative. Read full story.
April 8 dawned cloudy at the Claremont High School in Claremont, CA as dozens of volunteers arrived for the 3rd Annual Claremont Classic – the first as a Southern California USATF Championship event. The cooler weather proved to be a boon for the racers.
The tents and tables went up, lap counters gathered for orientation as judges and timers evaluated the track and put their equipment and staff in place.
Southern California USA Track and Field, Kaiser Permanente and Pomona Valley Hospital erected their displays, including a CPR demonstration. Some of the exhibitors participated in the races as well.
Kay Held, the Meet Director, was everywhere, answering concerns, filling slots, overseeing set up.
Then the racers came. The air was energized as people re-met long-time friends or chatted with first timers.
And energy accelerated as youth joined the crowd. They came from two SoCal clubs – The Road Runners and the Pacific Coast Shockwaves and included racers aged 9-12.
All in place and the first race, a 5K, was underway.
Medalists in their perspective age categories were: Jamie Fiddler, 28; Adrian Zamudio, 42; Susan Armenta, 43; J Torres-Cancino, 48; Catherine Caporale, 49; Jochen Strack, 51; Des Jaravata, 53; George Papacalos, 58; Yolanda Holder, 59; Leah Key Ketter, 55; Kwang-hee Park, 57; John Phillips, 64; Paula Rasmussen, 63; Marlou Russell, 61; Yoko Eichel, 70; Carol Bertino, 70; Gesine Robinson, 73; Carol Dyar, 77; Ann Stromberg, 75; Jacqueline Chase, 77; Carlos Acosta, 84; Philip McKean, 82; Stanley Moore, 84; Shirley Capps, 83; Grace Moremen, 87.
In the interim between races, Susan Armenta, USATF gold medalist, conducted a clinic for anyone wanting to learn more about race walking technique or to get personal attention. Definitely a highlight.
An 800m fun walk attracted people of many ages who wanted to try race walking and a good time was had by all.
The youth were scheduled to join the final 1500m race and as the gun went off they propelled from the starting line, taking everyone’s breath away. The medalist were: (Boys), Joel Mendoza, 10; Aris Mayorga, 11; Smooth Watkins, 10, and (Girls), Noemi Chavez, 9; De Chavez-Barban, 11; Leilani Centeno, 12 and Sienna Ozier, 10. Other medalists in their age groups included Jamie Fiddler, 28; Adrian Zamudio, 42; Rima Shah, 43; Roselyn Singh, 41; J Torres-Cancino, 48; Phalana Tiller, 46; Catherine Caporale, 49; Des Jaravata, 53; Yolanda Holder, 59; Marlou Russell, 61; Cheryl Suson, 66; Paul Lawson, 73; Sylvia Ellis, 70; Yoko Eichel, 70; Gesine Robinson, 73; Carol Dyar, 77; Ann Stromberg, 75; Yvette Lavigne, 78; Philip McKean, 82; John Denham, 87; Grace Moremen, 87; and William Moremen, 90.
Medals were awarded at the end of the morning with much applause and cheering.
USATF Youth Coaches:
Please be aware that the relay exchange rules have changed:
Competition Rule 170/Relay Races/Paragraph 3:
This rule is currently in effect.
