Your Cart is Empty
By Ray Glier
GREENSBORO, N.C.___For about five years, sprinter Emma Mcgowan was insurmountable in Masters track. She said she lost twice in the 100 meter dash since 2018 and has 11 world gold medals.
Twice she lost. Twice!
One came here Thursday, just as Emma is on the eve of retirement from the sport. In the Women’s 55-59 100 meter dash, another likewise indomitable spirit, Andre Collier, steamed across the finish line in an American record, 13.12 to beat Ms. Mcgowan, who ran 13.15.
Collier heard her name called first and thought “What? I won.” Her head was forward across the line and she didn’t realize she had squeezed out the win.
“Any time I know I am racing with Emma, I have to step my game up,” Collier said. “You know, she’s been the best and she is still is the best. This is just one race.”
Collier is not quick out of the blocks and she didn’t think she had a chance to win until five meters remained.
“I had to dig deep,” Andrea said. “On any given day, it’s anybody’s race. I’m not going to give a race to somebody.
“I’m overjoyed. It’s a personal record and an American record.”
Mcgowan rerurned to the track later Friday and set a new American record in the 400 W55-59 (1:02.40). She was also part of a new American record in the 4X100 in W55-59 with Colleen Barney, India Bridgette, and Collier (53.43).
Mcgowan said Friday she is retiring from the sport to try other athletic endeavors, like pickleball. It is a significant loss for USATF Masters, which has been struggling to add depth to women’s events.
Collier always does her part to promote the sport. She grabbed an armful of flyers promoting senior athletics at the National Senior Games around Pittsburgh last week and handed them out wherever she went.
“The athletes have to do our part,” Collier said. “A lot of ‘open’ athletes don’t know there are Masters sports and we have to tell them."
**
Geezer Jock profiled the amazing Sue McDonaldin May. She continued to amaze in Greensboro.
McDonald won the 800 (W60-64) in a world record time of 2:29.97. She also won the 400 with a world record time of 1:02.34, which wiped out the previous mark of 1:06.69.
Elizabeth Deak won the 400 meters in the W65-69 with a world record time of 1:07.23. It was an impressive run because the previous world mark was 1:11.45.
The women didn’t have the only blazing record here Friday. Oscar Peyton, 70, flew 12.66 in the Men’s 70-74 100 to break the American mark of 12.77. Michael Kish, 72, the reigning champ, went 12.97. Damien Leake, another contender, fell out with a hamstring injury.
The 12.66 by Peyton tied the world record mark set by Kish in 2022 in Finland at the World Masters Athletics event.
Allan Tissnebaum set a new USATF record in the 100 going 11.81, which broke the previous mark of 11.83.
**
Put up with the advertisement to watch track & field superstar Kay Glynn, 70, do her flips, cartwheels, and handstands.
And while you’re at it, check out 95-year old Jack Eckenrode competing in the cycling event.
Speaking of the bike, Simeon Gipson, 77, talks with the National Senior Games about riding his bike from Oklahoma to Pittsburgh for the competition. He finished last (22nd) in the 40K, which was no wonder after that trek.
Comments will be approved before showing up.
