Neringa Jakstiene, (575) in front row, celebrates with fellow Ironlady pentathletes after her world record outing. Photo by Ken Stone

Records July 19, 2024

W60 Neringa Jakstiene clobbers world records in pentathlon and long jump as heat sends man to ICU

Last March at Chicago indoor masters nationals, new 60-year-old Neringa Jakstiene set world records in the pentathlon, high jump and 60-meter hurdles. What to do for an encore at Sacramento masters outdoor nationals? On Thursday, Day 1 of the meet at Sacramento’s American River College, she set a W60 world record in the outdoor pentathlon — and took down long-standing American records by Phil Raschker in the 80-meter hurdles and long jump. Also: crushing Christiane Schmalbruch’s 4.75 (15-7) world record in the long jump. Neringa’s series on a day in the 90s: 13.00 in the 80-meter hurdles, 9.13 meters (29-11½)…

Read More
Julia Hawkins ran 100 meters in 62.95 seconds for the first women's mark in the W105 age group.

Rants December 6, 2021

Was Julia Hawkins’ W105 record for 100 railroaded to ratification? Crickets on concerns

One month ago — Nov. 6 — Julia Hawkins of Baton Rouge scooted 100 meters at the Louisiana Senior Games at Southeastern Louisiana University. Her time — just under 63 seconds — wasn’t as important as her being the first woman (and only third human) to compete in track and field at age 105. She drew global fame, thanks to massive publicity from the National Senior Games Association before and after the meet. Over the weekend, the USATF Masters Track & Field Committee, convened at the Orlando annual meeting, ratified the mark as an American record, with world record status pending. Case…