July 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)…


Update: Olympic Trials starter is at Sacto nationals, with sloping shot put sector fixed just in time

I’m back! Not only blogging (for the first time in a year), but also competing at USATF masters nationals. We’re in Sacramento — at American River College, not Sac State like 2010 nationals and 2011 worlds. I couldn’t resist entering my umpteenth nationals at age 70. Today was arrival day for many. After 2 p.m., bib numbers (with names on one of a pair!) were handed out. Declarations were made for Thursday events. Sign-ups began for massage and chiro sessions ($60 for 20 minutes.) Weather was nice — mid-80s. (But no such luck the rest of the meet.) Shuttle hurdles…