Loretta And The Rest Of The Jets Win Against The Heat At USATF Masters

This is Loretta Woodward-Turner in a familiar position on the track. Out in front. She was streaking to a world-record in the 100 (W70). Photo courtesy Sandy Triolo, USATF Masters.

By Ray Glier

Where to start with these people who were running and jumping in 103-degree heat?

The USA Track & Field Masters Outdoor Championships were in Sacramento last weekend and it was sweltering.

Still, records fell.

Some highlights:

Loretta Woodward-Turner (U.S. Air Force) won the  Women's 70 100-meter dash in 14.71 to set world and American records. The previous world record of 14.73 was set in 2017 by Germany’s Ingrid Meier.

Here is the Geezer Jock story I did on Loretta in February. Her background story is more amazing than her running.

(Those times are now in question after Turner tested positive for a banned substance at the USATF Masters Outdoors Championships in July. She received a four-year ban.)

William Platts became the oldest man to complete an outdoor pentathlon at 96. He scored 3311 points on Day 1 to establish a world record that will be tough to match. His 23.78-meter javelin throw earned 1088 points.

The race of the meet had to be the 80 hurdles between Joy Upshaw (Joy’s Jackrabbits Track Club) and Neringa Jakstiene. Joy's lean at the end won it. The 63-year-old Upshaw went 13.04 to Jakstiene’s 13.05. The existing American record was 13.26. Nothing like competition to shatter a record.

For a full rundown of the nationals here is a link to the recap.

And here is a link to Ken Stone's take on the nationals with a focus on the fabulous Neringa Jakstiene (W60). Ken is a well-known track & field journalist. He knows his stuff.

(Thanks to Sandy Triolo, Masters Track & Field Communications Subcommittee Chair, for providing roundup of the event).

 Joy Upshaw (second from left) leans to beat Neringa Jakstiene 13.05 to 13.04 in the 80 hurdles, probably the best race of the entire meet. Photo by USATF. 

  

Ino Cantu, 93, ran the 800 in 103 degree heat. He is a Texas farm boy. Of course, he handled the heat. Here, Ino is congratulated by his friend Elmo Shropshire. Photo courtesy Sandy Triolo, USATF Masters.