the news USATF-New England Headline News
July - December 2000

INDOOR TRACK NOTES

High School: Another record by Lederman
        Molly Lederman (NJH, Waltham MA) started the season off on a high note, scaling 13' 1/2" in the pole vault at Brown on December 19. That adds 1/4" to the national HS indoor record. Laura Gerraughty (Nashua NH) is the first scholastic thrower ever to achieve a 50/50 indoors: She opened the year with a 53' toss in the weight, and then threw 51'5" in the shot.

Open Meets at BU:
        There are developmental meets on Saturdays at Boston University on December 24, 31, January 6, and 13. See www.bu.edu/track 4 x 1600 Relay: Lou's 4 x 1600 relay will run at Boston U on Saturday, January 6. There will be a limited field, with one team ready for a shot at the masters record for the relay

Masters National Indoor Entry info available:
        Check www.tracs.net


NASHUA PAL WIN JO BANTAM BOYS TITLE

        Nashua P.A.L. continued their youth cross country successes by winning the Bantam Boys (10 & under) division at the USATF Junior Olympic Cross Country Nationals in Reno NV on Saturday December 9. The club scored 45 points for the team victory. North Kingston (RI) Recreation won their first national team medals, taking a close second to their association rivals. Nashua was also runner-up in the Bantam Girls, Midget Boys, and Midget Girls team scoring (finishing behind Valley Striders of California in both midget races). Highest individual placer from New England in the ten races was North Kingston's Austin Brunero in the Bantam Division, finishing second while covering the 3000 meters in 11:58.3.


CHAKOUIAN NOW LEADS WORLD JUNIOR LIST

        In just his first collegiate meet, Seekonk MA's Jeff Chakouian, a U. Kentucky freshman, hurled the shot put 65' 10.5", the top heave by a junior-aged (19 years old or younger) athlete in the world this year. Achieved at the Wildcat Speed Meet on December 8, the distance qualified him for the 2001 NCAA Indoor Championships, and broke the school record of 64'9.5" set in 1971. "This is an achievement beyond spectacular," field events coach John Kenneson said. "This now puts him at No. 6 all-time in the world on the junior list." In October, Chakouian threw 61-11.75 to finish fifth at the World Junior Championships in Chile.


ROETTER 4th AT FOOTLOCKER XC

        (DisneyWorld FL) Lexington MA junior Natasha Roetter finished fourth at the Footlocker National Cross Country Championship on Saturday. She's only the third Massachusetts girl to crack the top 5 in the meet's 22 year history. Her 17:29 was 36 seconds behind winner Sarah Bei of California. Sophomore Meghan Owen of Killingly HS in Danielson CT took 30th in 18:43. Three New England states boys made it to the elite 32 runner field. Brian McGovern of New Town CT repeated his trip to Florida and finished 12th (15:31); Vermont state champ Mint Henk from Braintree VT, a junior from U-32 H.S. in Montpelier, was 26th in 15:47; and New England prep school champ Patrick Benson of Deerfield Academy and Greenfield MA finished 31st in 16:07. Boy's winner Dathan Ritzenheim of Michigan won by 20 seconds in 14:35, one of the fastest times in the history of the meet.


USATF NATIONAL CONVENTION NOTES

        The USATF Annual Meeting ran from November 29 through December 3, and some of the highlights that affect New England follow:

The following National Championships were awarded to be held in our association:

Awards:
Staff selected for 2001 USA teams:
        Our new USATF National president is Bill Roe, recently national cross country chair and vice president. Bill is rooted in associations, having served as president of the Pacific Northwest association, a top level official, member of the Men's LDR committee, and on the associations committee. Championships were selected and qualifying standards set. Find all the convention news at www.usatf.org.


Boston Athletic Association and Wisconsin Runner Racing Team Win USA Fall Cross Country Championships and are crowned the country's top USATF Association teams.
Kim Fitchen and Matt Downin Take Individual Titles.


Men's National Fall XC - Click here to view all of Ken Robichaud's meet coverage.         (BOSTON, MASS.) - Wisconsin Runner Racing Team, led by brothers Matt and Andy Downin, won the men's race at the USA Fall Cross Country Championship, while the host Boston Athletic Association won the women's championship at Franklin Park in Boston on Saturday.
        Wisconsin Runner placed three harriers among the top nine overall finishers (Matt Downin, first place, 29:01; brother Andy Downin, seventh, 29:23; and Brad Kirk, ninth, 29:26) to beat runner-up Hansons Running Shop, of Michigan, by one point (60 to 61).
        The first five runners for a declared team score by posting the lowest point total, and Hansons put five runners among the top 25 scorers, but the New England-raised Downin brothers' low points paved the way for the Wisconsin Runner victory, awarding it the title of the country's best (USA Track & Field Association) running club. Kyle Baker, of Indiana Invaders, was runner-up to Downin in a time of 29:05 and Chad Johnson, of Hansons, was third in 29:06.
        Matt Downin, 23, grew up in Duxbury, Massachusetts before moving to Hamstead, New Hampshire between his freshman and sophomore years of high school, and was the 1994 Footlocker Cross Country Champion while attending Pinkerton Academy. He attended the University of Wisconsin, graduating in May of this year, and finished seventh at 10,000 meters and 15th at 5000 meters at this year's U.S. Olympic Trials in Sacramento.
        Andy Downin, 27, was a member of this year's U.S. men's world cross country 4-kilometer team and placed sixth in the 1500 meters at both the 1996 U.S. Olympic Trials in Atlanta and the 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials. He attended Duxbury High in Massachusetts prior to attending Georgetown University, where he graduated in 1996. He was fifth at this event in 1999.
        The Downin brothers now live and train together in Madison, Wisconsin.
        For Matt, despite growing up in the area, he had only raced at Boston's historic Franklin Park twice (once as a freshman and once a senior in high school) but was familiar with the course, having done workouts here and watching his brother run. Even so, Downin said that he didn't know what to expect from himself. "The [early] pace seemed pretty sane to me," said the younger Downin, "but I really didn't know what to expect from myself coming into today. I just wanted to lag back, and I realized that I was feeling pretty good with 1/2 of a mile to go."
        Both Downins downplayed any sibling tensions. "Andy and I are very competitive people, but not to each other as much," said Matt. "It is more helping each other along and pushing each other. I think he is the best training partner I could have, and I think he would say the same about me."
        As for now having won the national title at the high school level as well as one in his young post-collegiate career, Downin relished the thought. "It's always nice to win big races. As a runner, you don't always get to win a lot of races. You go out and finish second or third or fourth and it feels great, but you don't get to win too frequently. When you do, it is sort of a double bonus."
        At last year's championship, Wisconsin Runner was sixth, only one place and two points behind Hansons Running Shop. On Saturday, the Wisconsin team avenged both its mid-West rival and the rest of the field. The Farm Team, of California, was the 1999 champion when the event was held in its home state at Long Beach and finished third this year. Twenty-seven men's teams, including 238 finishers, contested the men's championship (9855 meters), while 132 finishers and 15 teams battled in the women's race (6017 meters).
        For the victorious B.A.A. women's team, it was the club's second victory in three years, winning by a 13-point margin over runner-up Indiana Invaders (90 to 103). All five B.A.A. runners finished among the top 30 scorers - something not achieved by any other club - but Amy Lyman (seventh overall) was the club's only athlete among the top 10.
        B.A.A. Head Coach Michael Pieroni put the title in perspective. "It's nice to win, but it's even nicer to win on your home course," he said. "When our club won two years ago in Florida, it was missing something. There is no better place to run cross country than at Boston's Franklin Park, which so happens to be our home field. Then, to be the host club and presenting sponsor along with adidas is icing on the cake." B.A.A. women's coach Jeff Staab echoed Pieroni's sentiments: "Cross country is a total team effort. You saw that today from our club. We don't have any super stars, but what we do have are dedicated individuals who come together to race. Today we came together and won."
        The victory by the B.A.A. women completed a hat trick of sorts for the club, having won the Mayor's Cup at Franklin Park on October 22 and the New England Championships at Franklin Park on November 12.
        Kim Fitchen, who resides in Palo Alto, Calif. and trains with The Farm Team but whose affiliation is with Nike International, won the women's race in 20:04. After sharing the lead for much of the race with Carrie Tollefson, of adidas, Fitchen broke away over the last mile to win the individual title by 13 seconds. Tollefson was runner-up in 20:17 and Sarah Hann, of Greater Lowell Road Runners, was third in 20:20.
        Fitchen, 32, who was a member of the U.S. bronze medal winning team at the world cross country championships this year, did not compete seriously in college and says she became dedicated to the sport in 1992. Following the death of her father, Peter, that year, Fitchen said that running and playing the piano helped her deal with her grief. "Running will help me deal with anything in life. It's just a great outlet and a great escape, and it enables me to process my emotions and express them, especially when I race." Fitchen also said that she still talks to her father before her races. On Saturday, she asked him if he thought she would run well. She was out-kicked and was runner-up to Collette Liss, of the Indiana Invaders, at last year's Fall Cross Country Championships; this year, she didn't wait until the end to make her decisive move. Liss was fourth this year in 20:25.
        In the Masters Division 10K championship, Thomas Dalton, of Adirondack Athletic Club, and Susan LaChance, of Cambridge Sports Union, were the individual winners. Reebok Aggies, of California, and Run to Win, of Maine, were the respective men's and women's team champions in the 40 and older division.
        The 2001 USA Winter Cross Country Championship will be contested on February 17 and 18 in Vancouver, Washington. Next year's Fall Championship is scheduled for December 1, 2001 in Mobile, Alabama.
        For complete results of the USA Fall Cross Country Championships, presented by the B.A.A. and adidas, go to www.usatfne.org. For meet photos. click here.


USATF Fall Nationals Saturday in Boston

        An anticipated 800 competitors representing more than 30 running clubs from around the country will compete in the USATF Fall Cross Country Championships on Saturday, November 25, at Franklin Park in Boston. The Boston Athletic Association and adidas are the presenting sponsors for the event. The championships will be staged by USATF-New England, in cooperation with the Boston Parks and Recreation Department.
        The event serves as USATF's Association team championships. Last year's event was held in Long Beach, Calif., with the inaugural Fall Championships taking place at Lake Buena Vista, Fla., in 1998.
        Senior women's entrants will run 6k (10:30 a.m.) on Saturday, with the senior men competing at 10k beginning at 11:15 p.m.
        The meet also is the USATF national cross country championship for masters athletes (40-years old and older). Men and women masters competitors will both run 10k beginning at 12:30 p.m.
        Previous USATF Fall Cross Country Champions
MEN
Year Distance Club
1998 10,000m Andre Williams (28:59) Reebok Enclave
1999 10,000m Ray Appenheimer (29:22.7) Nike Farm Team
WOMEN
Year Distance Club
1998 6,000m Blake Phillips (20:06) B.A.A
1999 6,000m Collette Liss (20:27.3) Nike Farm Team

        For more information on the USATF Fall Cross Country Championships, including the results following the races on Saturday, visit the USATF Web site at usatfne.org.

USA FALL NATIONALS IN BOSTON THIS SATURDAY

        The USA Fall Nationals, presented by the Boston Athletic Association and adidas, runs this Saturday, November 25, at Franklin Park. The Women's 6K kicks off the action at 10:30 a.m., followed by the Men's 10K at 11:15 a.m., and the Masters men and women at 12:30 p.m. Clubs from around the country will be in attendance. Late entries will be taken through Friday afternoon, but there is no day of event entry.


COLLEGIATE CROSS COUNTRY
KELLY OF PROVIDENCE WINS NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP


        Keith Kelly of Providence College won the NCAA Divison I Championship in frigid conditions on Monday in Iowa. Following Kelly, Franklin Sanchez (Georgetown, Lynn MA) was fifth, Jason Vanderhof (Wisconsin, Timberlane NH) eighth, and Jonathon Riley (Stanford, Brookline MA) tenth.
        A similar concentration of local talent appeared in the women's race. Womens' favorite Kara Grgas-Wheeler of Colorado scored a strong win, but close behind was defending champ Erica Palmer (Wisconsin, Monadnock Reg. NH) was third, edging North Carolina frosh Shalane Flanagan (Marblehead MA) while Duke soph Sheila Agrawal (Swansea MA) was 7th.
        In the Division III meet, Middlebury and Williams women went 1-2, while the Keene State (NH) men, led by Wilson Perez in fourth, were the runners-up.


SLICK TIMES AT CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

Harriers at the Gun - Thanks to G.Bridgman, Central Mass Striders         Reebok Boston men and BAA women earned open division wins at the New England Cross Country Championships on Sunday. Sandu Rebenciuc outkicked Artie Gilkes for individual men's honors, while Sara Dupre, Mayor's Cup winner took the women's race.
        Whirlaway masters, led by race winner Craig Fram, won their first ever cross country team title, while Sue LaChance and her Cambridge Sports Union teammates were both winners in the masters women's races. The course was muddy enough, following steady rain and 8 high school races the previous day. The same courses will be run at the National Championships on November 25; entry deadline is fast approaching. Results - and national entry info - can be found at the cross country page.


NASHUA PAL LEADS JUNIOR OLYMPICS

        The Nashua P.A.L. was both host of and six race victor at the USATF-NE Junior Olympic meet on Sunday. The hosts won both boys' and girls' bantam, midget, and youth divisions.
        Congratulations to meet director Debbie Fraser, Nashua P.A.L., and the Gate City Striders for hosting an excellent event in their first attempt. Results will be found at the youth page, while pictures and a story will be found at www.kidsrunning.com/news/krnews1112nashjo.html


BEANEY RACES AT WORLD HALF MARATHON

        Kristin Beaney (Wayland MA/Reebok Boston) finished 23rd at the 9th annual IAAF World Half-Marathon Championships, held in Veracruz, Mexico on November 12. The race was held on a flat, three-lap course in muggy 85 degree temperatures. The US team finished fifth, tying their best finish ever, led by 10th-place finisher Milena Glusac in a personal record 1:13:53. Winning the race was Paula Radcliffe of Great Britain Radcliffe was the world junior cross country champion in 1992 when the race was held in Boston.
        Full results can be found at www.iaaf.org


2001 ROAD RACE CHAMPIONSHIPS SELECTED

        (November 7) -- The 2001 USATF-NE Road Race Championship Series was selected on November 6 at a meeting at Regis College. One first time (Stowe 8 Mile) and two former (James Joyce Ramble, CVS/Downtown 5K) will be on the schedule for the upcoming year. 17 races bid to host a grand prix event. This is the first year that one championship will be held in each of the four USATF-NE states in one year.
        The events:


GRAND PRIX SELECTION MEETING NOV 6

        The 2001 Grand Prix selection meeting will be held Monday November 6 at 7PM at Regis College, Weston MA. The following bids are in for the 2001 series:

5k
Tip Off Classic, Longmeadow, MA
Marino Lookout Farm /Doug Flutie Race, Natick MA
CVS/Pharmacy Downtown 5k, Providence, RI
Sherwood East Side 5k, Providence, RI

5 mile - Ro-Jacks, N.Attleboro, MA

10k
James Joyce Ramble, Dedham MA
Market Square Day 10K, Portsmouth NH
Sherwood Race for Literacy, Foster, RI
Salem Heritage Day, Salem, MA

Mid-range (select 3)
Bedford Rotary Memorial 12K, Bedford, NH
Stowe 8 Miler, Stowe, VT
Sherwood 15k/30k Footrace, Foster, RI
Law Enforcement 1/2 Marathon, Melrose, MA
Sherwood 15k/30k Footrace, Foster, RI

Marathon - Cape Cod, October


GOUGH, TABER RUN TO MARATHON WINS

        (October 28, Falmouth MA) Dan Gough of Portsmouth RI and Molly Taber of Boxford MA ran to wins at the CompassBank Cape Cod Marathon, the final championship in the 2000 USATF-NE Road Race Grand Prix. Gough, an Olympic Trials qualifier, ran negative splits to win in 2:24:29. Taber improved her personal best by 12 minutes with her 2:54:26 clocking. The win also put her at the top of the 2000 individual GP series standings and led her Merrimack Valley Striders to the team title.
        Dave Dunham's 5th place overall (3rd open) moved him up from third to first among the men and his CMS team won their umpteenth overall men's title.
        Nearly 100 runners, which will be the second highest total ever, completed all 7 races in the series to earn an "Ironrunner" jacket award. That list is posted on the Grand Prix page. Click here for full results.


Boston Middle School City Cross Country Championship Partnership between B.A.A., adidas, Boston Parks and Recreation and Boston Public Schools brings sport to 350 youths.

        BOSTON, Mass. - (October 24, 2000) - More than 350 youths from 11 of Boston's Middle Schools will compete in the City Cross Country Championship at Franklin Park in Dorchester on Thursday, October 26.
        For the fifth year, Boston Parks and Recreation has worked in conjunction with Boston Public Schools to showcase the sport, while the program is conducted by the Boston Athletic Association and adidas. The culmination of the innovative partnership each year is the Championship event when all schools travel to Franklin Park to contest the one mile race over hill and dale.
        Since its inception, more than 1225 youths have participated in the program, which includes several weeks of instruction by B.A.A. coaches both during physical education classes and after school. With a mission to introduce cross country running to youths in Boston neighborhoods who otherwise would not receive exposure to the sport, the partnership is achieving another objective: education through sports.
        The program has grown annually, and many of the youths who received their initiation to running through the Program are currently competing in high school cross country, indoor track and outdoor track. Also, in response to increased interest generated by the Middle School Cross Country Program and Championship, the B.A.A., adidas and Boston Parks and Recreation now present seasonal youth running programs throughout the Boston area.
        Last year, the McCormack Middle School in Dorchester swept every category, winning the boys individual and team races, the girls individual and team races, and the relay race.
        The Playstead at Franklin Park (near the entrance to the Franklin Park Zoo) is the site of the competition, which begins at 10:30 a.m. with the girls race. The boys race follows at 10:50 a.m., and the relay begins at 11:15 a.m. An awards ceremony is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.
        Last Sunday, the B.A.A., adidas and Boston Parks and Recreation presented the Mayor's Cup Cross Country and Youth Races, also at Franklin Park. The meet was organized by USA Track & Field. Next month, on November 25, the partnership again will work in conjunction with USA Track & Field - New England to stage the USA Fall Cross Country Championships, an event which will crown the country's top regional running club.
        Boston Middle School Cross Country Program and Championship participating schools: Grover CLEVELAND Middle School, Dorchester; Henry DEARBORN Middle School, Roxbury; Sarah GREENWOOD Middle School, Dorchester; Solomon LEWENBERG Middle School, Mattapan; John W. McCORMACK Middle School, Dorchester; MISSION HILL Middle School, Roxbury; William B. ROGERS Middle School, Hyde Park; William Howard TAFT Middle School, Brighton; Frank V. THOMPSON Middle School, Dorchester; James P. TIMILTY Middle School, Roxbury; Phyllis WHEATLEY Middle School, Roxbury.
        For additional information, please contact Jack Fleming at the B.A.A. (617-236-1652) or Billy Ryan at the Boston Parks and Recreation Department (617-635-4505 extension 6209).


Dupre and Kirwa win Boston's Mayor's Cup
B.A.A. and Reebok Boston take home team trophies in preview to USA Fall Cross Country Championships next month at Franklin Park


        October 22, 2000 -- Sarah Dupre, of the host Boston Athletic Association, and Francis Kirwa, of Life University in Georgia, were the individual champions of the 11th annual Mayor's Cup at Franklin Park in Boston on Sunday, October 22. Dupre improved upon her runner-up finish from a year ago, winning the women's 5-kilometer race in 16:55. In the process, she led the B.A.A. to the team title with 30 points, 56 points ahead of second place Greater Lowell Road Runners and 70 points better than third place Syracuse Chargers, the defending team champion. Dupre, formerly of Providence College, and runner-up Kristin Beaney, of Reebok Boston led through the first mile in 5:20. By the second mile, the two had begun to separate themselves from a chase pack which included the B.A.A.'s Diana Bowser (third place; 17:05), Sarah Hann, of Greater Lowell Road Runners (fourth place; 17:11); and eventual fifth place finisher Amy Lyman, of B.A.A. (17:23). Dupre, a native Canadian, led much of the way. After alternating the lead several times with Beaney, Dupre opened the winning gap as they made the turned to the final half mile which was contested around the perimeter of the park's start/finish area at The Playstead.
        Kirwa, who won the race in 1998, returned to the winner's circle for the second time in three years. His time of 23:26 was two seconds better than runner-up Paul Mwangi (23:28), of Westchester Puma Track Club. The pair, along with third place finisher Alexis Sharangabo (23:54), of North Carolina's Brevard College, ran as a pack for the first five kilometers before Kirwa asserted himself on the multiple loop course. Kenyan runners from Life University have now won the last six Mayor's Cup races (Silah Misou, 1996-'97; Sammy Nyamongo, 1999; and Kirwa, 1998 and 2000). Kirwa's leading times through the first two miles were recorded at 4:37 and 9:17. He increased the pace in the final mile, running closer to 4:30 pace, as his time at the four-mile mark was 18:57.
        Seventh place finisher Arthur Gilkes (24:18) led Reebok Boston in the men's team competition. Reebok Boston won with 96 points by placing five runners among the top 27. They beat runner-up Boston Athletic Association (five runners among the top 31 and a total score of 106 points) by nine points. Brevard College was third overall with 118 points, and Greater Boston Track Club (the third running club) was fourth with 186 points. The B.A.A. was paced by 10th and 11th place finishers Justin Niedzialek (24:22) and Chris Magill (24:23).
        Both course records (men's 8k time of 22:53 by Life University's Silah Misoi established in 1997; and women's 5k of 16:22 by Nike International's Kathy Franey, also in 1997) were secure as good course conditions and a temperature hovering at 50 degrees were balanced by gusty winds.
        This year's B.A.A. and adidas presentation of the Mayor's Cup was the preview meet for the USA Fall Cross Country Championships on November 25. Next month's event will crown the country's top USA Track & Field "Association" running club. While most of New England's top club's competed for the William J. Squires Team Trophy, named in honor of the legendary coach who founded the event in 1990, club members, coaches and managers were gauging where their teams might stand when matched agains the country's other clubs at the Fall Championships. Boston's Mayor's Cup is regarded as the most competitive cross country event for clubs on the East Coast. The B.A.A. and adidas, working in conjunction with USA Track & Field - New England and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, will stage next month's Championships, as well.
        Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino has been a loyal supporter of the event, and he has especially encouraged youth participation. This year, Boston youngsters turned out in record numbers as 222 kids participated in the 1.1 youth races.
        11th Annual Mayor's Cup Cross Country and Youth Races (October 22, 2000) Presented by the B.A.A. and adidas
        Franklin Park, Dorchester; 50 degrees. Sunny and cool. Good course conditions. Gusts of wind. Organized by USA Track & Field - New England, in cooperation with Boston Parks and Recreation.
        MEN (8 kilometers; 239 finishers)
Place, Name, Affiliation, Time. 1.) Francis Kirwa, Life University (GA), 23:26; 2.) Paul Mwangi, Westchester Puma Track Club, 23:28; 3.) Alexis Sharangabo, Brevard College (NC), 23:54; 4.) Ricardo Santos, New York Athletic Club, 24:09; 5.) Erik Nedeau, New Balance, 24:11; 6.) Kristian Agnew, adidas, 24:15; 7.) Arthur Gilkes, Reebok Boston, 24:18; 8.) Peter Hammer, Boston Running Club, 24:21; 9.) Eric Morse, Central Mass Striders, 24:22; 10.) Justin Niedzialek, B.A.A., 24:22
        Teams (15 teams; five members score by place)
1.) Reebok Boston, 97 points; 2.) B.A.A., 106 pts.; 3.) Brevard College (NC), 118 pts.; 4.) Greater Boston Track Club, 186 pts.; 5.) Surekill Track Club (NY), 186 pts.
        WOMEN (5 kilometers; 105 finishers)
Place, Name, Affiliation, Time. 1.) Sarah Dupre , B.A.A., 16:55; 2.) Kristen Beaney, Reebok Boston, 17:00; 3.) Diana Bowser, B.A.A., 17:05; 4.) Sarah Hann, Greater Lowell Road Runners, 17:11; 5.) Amy Lyman, B.A.A., 17:23; 6.) Jen Toomey, Reebok Boston, 17:48; 7.) Meghan Moriarty, Reebok Boston, 17:50; 8.) Michelle Sarney, B.A.A., 17:53; 9.) Heather Swarts, Syracuse Chargers, 17:58; 10.) Yolanda Flamino, Greater Lowell Road Runners, 18:02.
        Teams (8 teams; five members score by place) 1.) B.A.A., 30 points; 2.) Greater Lowell Road Runners, 86 pts.; 3.) Syracuse Chargers, 100 pts.; 4.) Boston Running Club, 158 pts.; 5.) Greater Boston Track Club, 204 pts.
        YOUTH RACES (1.1 miles; 134 boys; 88 girls)
Boys: 10 and under, Liam Anastasia-Murphy, O'Malley Middle School, 6:53; 11-12 years old, Nicholas Rovito, Bay State Bullets, 6:11; 13-14 years old, Geoffrey Fudenberg, Greater Lowell, 5:56.
        Girls: 10 and under, Nikki Lechleider, Greater Lowell, 6:25; 11-12 years old, Meara Thomas, Greater Lowell, 6:47; 13-14 years old, Chantelle Dron, unattached, 5:49.
        Full results at www.nerunner.com and www.coolrunning.com. Photos at Zing.com



GRAND PRIX TO CLOSE AT CAPE COD MARATHON

        Sunday's Cape Cod Marathon, the final race in this year's USATF-NE Road Racing Grand Prix, has hit a record number of 1200 entrants (and entry is closed at this time!). All team and individual series winners are up for grabs. Over 100 runners are still in contention for "Ironrunner" jackets given to those who complete all seven races.


MAYOR'S CUP CROSS COUNTRY

        Over 600 runners took to the starting line on October 22 for the eleventh annual Boston Mayor's Cup, presented by the Boston Athletic Association and adidas.
        The women's race was tight upfront as Sarah Dupre (BAA), Kristen Beaney (Reebok Boston), and Diana Bowser (BAA) all finished within several ticks; the BAA took home the "Bill Squires Cup" for the team winners. 1998 men's winner Francis Kirwa of Life University won his second Mayor's Cup, outrunning Paul Mwangi of Westchester TC by 2 seconds in the men's race (and the rest of the field by nearly 30 seconds). Reebok Boston were team titlists.
        The youth races recorded the largest ever number of finishers (219). Full results at www.nerunner.com and www.coolrunning.com


B.A.A. HOSTS MAYOR'S CUP CROSS COUNTRY SUNDAY IN BOSTON

        For the fourth consecutive year, the Boston Athletic Association and adidas will present the Mayor's Cup Cross Country and Youth Races at Franklin Park in Boston on Sunday, October 22. The event will serve as a preview of the 2000 USA Fall National Cross Country Championships on November 25, also at Franklin Park.
        Long considered the most competitive cross country competition for running clubs on the East Coast, the event will begin with the women's 5k at 11:15 a.m., followed by the men's 8k competition at 11:45 a.m.
        The event receives full support from Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department. Race management is provided by USA Track & Field - New England.
        Sammy Nyamongo captured the men's race last year, with Christine Junkermann winning the women's competition. Life University will defend its men's team title on Sunday while the Syracuse Chargers try to hold on to the women's team crown for another year.
        For additional information, contact Steve Vaitones of USATF-New England at (617) 566-7600, or Jack Fleming at the B.A.A. at (617) 236-1652.


GERRAUGHTY FOURTH AT WORLD JUNIORS

        (October 17) Laura Gerraughty placed fourth in the shot put on the opening day of the World Junior Track & Field Championships in Santiago, Chile.. The Nashua HS senior's throw of 15.71 meters (51'6 1/2" ) was just inches short of her personal best; a medal would have taken a huge personal best, as the bronze medal toss 16.40 meters (by a throwr from Belarus) was a full 2' longer. Still, an outstanding performance for a local athlete. For complete results, visit the official IAAF Web site.


GRAND PRIX SELECTION MEETING - NOVEMBER 6

        The selection meeting for the 2001 Road Race Grand Prix will be held Monday, November 6 at Regis College in Weston MA. (Student Union, Lower Level). Bid forms have been sent out to over 60 events; if you know of a race that might serve us well as a championship, contact the office to have a bid form sent to the director. And, talk up the championship status with your favorite race. Voting rights are through clubs, based on the number of USATF members a club has, the same voting as the recent annual meeting. There are also voting spots for unattached athletes.


NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY ENTRY AVAILABLE

        Entry form for the USA Fall National Cross Country Championships and Masters 10K Nationals, scheduled for November 25 at Franklin Park in Boston, can be found on the Cross Country page. Presented by the B.A.A. and adidas America, the meet is open to all runners, and we hope all running clubs will be fielding a team. You'll also find entry forms for the October 22 Boston Mayor's Cup and the November 12 USATF New England Championships.


NDEREBA TAKES TUFTS 10K TITLE
Hickman wins National Champion honors


The 24th annual Tufts 10K for Women produced another exciting race on Sunday, October 8. Boston Marathon winner Catherine Ndereba of Kenya edged Olympian and defending champion Libbie Hickman by one second. Hickman earned the US National champion title. Nike won the National club title, with Greater Lowell taking honors for association clubs. Seventeen women have run all 24 editions of this race. Full Results at www.nerunner.com and www.coolrunning.com


HERAZO, CARRAZAN AND MCGOVERN CAPURE NATIONAL TITLES AT ONE & TWO HOUR RACEWALKS.

        Two-time Olympian Victoria Herazo of Carson City, NV, and Reynaldo Carrazana of Revana, NY, captured masters titles in the National One-Hour and Two-Hour Racewalk Championships Oct. 1 on the Worcester Polytechnic Institute track in Worcester, MA.
        Herazo, 41, posted her fourth win in the national one-hour event and her first as a master. Her distance of 11,728 meters established a new national masters record. Herazo easily outdistanced junior winner Caitlan Bonney, 17, of New Sharon, Maine, and second master Donna Chamberlain, 43, of Etters, PA. Jackie Reitz, 52, of Indianapolis, fifth overall, set a 50-54 age-division record with 10,300 meters.
        Carrazana, 42, won his event for the second time in three years,competing in a large field that included three other past champions. He covered 11,787 meters, trailing only men's junior winner Daniel Pendergast, 18, of Gorham, Maine, who finished with 12,201.
        Dave McGovern, 35, of Mobile, AL., won the men's open two-hour race with 24,432 meters. It was his second national two-hour title.
        The One-Hour/Two-Hour event was hosted by USATF-New England and the New England Walkers for the 12th consecutive year. Click here for full results and photos


BAA MEN, MERRIMACK VALLEY WOMEN WIN AT 5 MILE CHAMPIONSHIP RO-JACK'S

        The Merrimack Valley Striders women's team eked out a three second win over the BAA at the Ro-Jack's Run USATF-NE 5 Mile Championship on Sunday, and five women's teams are now within five points of each other in the overall standings (including three tied for third) heading into the series' finale October 29 at the Cape Cod Marathon. In the men's open division, the BAA scored a more convincing win over Greater Lowell. Individually, no one has clinched their age division win; Larry Olsen is the only remaining undefeated catagory leader. Click here to see the Standings.


NE ATHLETES HEADING TO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

        Three New England throwers will be among 41 US athletes heading to Santiago Chile to compete at the IAAF World Junior Track and Field Championships October 17-22. (Several others were unable to attend due to scholastic commitments). National shot put champions Jeff Chakouian from Seekonk MA (now a freshman at Kentucky) and Laura Gerraughty, a Nashua NH High School senior, will be joined by hammer thrower Katherine Johnston of Warwick RI, a senior at Veterans HS on the trip. Carla Coffey, head track and field coach at Smith College, will serve as the head manager.


BAKKER ELECTED PRESIDENT AT ANNUAL MEETING

        September 18 -- Marja Bakker was elected USATF New England president at the association annual meeting on September 18. She succeeds Dan Hart, who opted not to run for re-election due to family commitments. The list of all officers and sports chairs, along with the meeting minutes, can be found on the Board page.


IRONRUNNER REPORT

        Over 130 runners have completed five of the five New England Championship races for the year and are still in the running for an Ironrunner jacket award - given to those who complete all seven championships. Please check out the list and let us know of any corrections.


One Really Long USA Championship

        Sylvania OH - September 17. -- Two northern New Englanders finished among the top 10 at the USATF 24 Hour last weekend. Chip Merrow of Loudon, NH was sixth, covering 122.19 miles, with Bob Emmons of Burlington VT tenth at 115.64 miles. John Geesler of St. Johnsville NY, the 1996 24-hour titleist, finishing with the 5th-best all-time American performance at the distance - 157.95 miles - in this unique event.
        Susan Olsen of Burnsville MN was the women's winner with 122.0 miles. See http://www.americanultra.org for more info.


Dunham Leads US Mountain Running team

        Bergen Germany, September 7-10 -- The world's best mountain runners met in the Bavarian ski village of Bergen, Germany for the 16th World Mountain Running Trophy on September 9-10.
        The senior men, competing over a 11.6k (7.2mile) course, were led by perennial team member Dave Dunham (Bradford MA/CMS), finishing in 12th (51:33). Third and final US scorer was Eric Morse (Berlin VT/CMS), as his 37th place finish in 53:59 tiee his previous best placing from 1997, while Dan Verrington (Bradford MA/CMS), the US men's team alternate, ran the person open race and took third in 54:43 fourth best US time of the day. Race winner was Jonathan Wyatt of New Zealand, his 47:29 over two minutes ahead of the runnerup. The race had entrants from 30 countries; Team USA finished 9th with 142 points.
        The women's race coverd a 8.9K course to the 1674-meter summit. For the sixth year, the US fielded a full women's team, with Cindy O'Neill of Colorado, two-time Pikes Peak Ascent champion, leading the US women in 30th/55:40. Julie Peterson (Beverly MA) rounded out the USA scoring, in 42nd place with a 56:48. Suzy West (Putney VT) suffered from leg cramps early in the race but managed a respectable 46th in 58:24.
        Full results can be found at: http://www.chiemgau.com/bergen/wm2000/index.htm


HINGA, BOWSER RUN TO 5K TITLES

        September 10, Lowell MA -- The Brewery Exchange 5K Races in Lowell produced a pair of course records and one of the deepest 5K NE Championship races ever in the separate men's and women's races run on Sunday.
        David Hinga (Lowell MA/Merrimack Valley Striders), who had been suffering from a respiratory infection the previous week, made a convincing move just before 2 miles to take the lead and hold it to the finish; his 14:33 was 10 seconds up on Pete Hammer (Newton MA/ BostonRC), who moved into the individual series lead by virtue of his second place finish. The BAA was a strong winner in the team scoring. Diana Bowser (Brookline MA) made her move at almost the same point to break free of runner-up Mimi Corcoran (Mendon MA/CMS), racing to a 16:54 which tied the course record. Bowser led her BAA teammates to a mere 3 second victory over Greater Lowell RR after the times of the clubs' top 5 finishers were totaled. Larry Olsen remains the only undefeated division leader, as the 53 year old Tri-Valley captain turned in a 16:34 clocking. Current individual and team standings are now posted on the Grand Prix page.


USA TEAM ON MEDAL PODIUM AT WORLD 100K
Garcia 29th in race


        September 9, 2000 WINSCHOTEN, Netherlands -- Dan Held of Waukesha WI took 4th at the IAU World 100 kilometer (62.21 miles) Championship in Winschoten, The Netherlands, to lead the USA to the medal stand for the fifth time in six years. Jim Garcia (Westford MA/CMS) was the third US scorer, 29th overall, in 7:09:21. On a day in which high humidity and unusual warmth took a heavy toll on world-class endurance athletes from over 30 nations, American depth once again prevailed to put the U.S. ultra squad on the silver medal step.
        Edit Berces of Hungary, who will return to Boston next month to defend her title at the Chancellor Challenge 100km, became the new women's World Champion, running 7:25:21. Christy Cosgrove (Boxford MA) was the fourth US finisher in 8:43:24; Cosgrove went to the meet as team alternate and was 24th overall. Top American in 10th at 8:08:03 was Deb Bolling of Boulder CO, leading the team bronze medal effort. (Info from RunningUSA)



Gray Runs US Leading Times

        Trinity Gray, who just finished an outstanding collegiate career at Brown University this year, has quickly adjusted to the move up to the world level competition. After last week races, he's owner of the fastest two US times for 2000 in the 800 meters. He ran 1:45.10 in Britain on August 28 and then lowered his personal best to 1:44.91 on September 3 in Rieti Italy. In between, on August 31, he ran the #5 US time ever for 600 meters at 1:14:48. At the US Olympic Trials, he had finished 6th in the 800.


USATF-NE ANNUAL MEETING - SEPTEMBER 18

        Our association annual meeting will be held Monday, September 18, at the Brandeis University in Waltham MA. This year, all officer and sports committee chairs are up for election. There will also be discussion on the format for next year's Road Race Grand Prix (in preparation for the November 6 GP Meeting), voting of delegates for the national convention, and general open forum. Voting rights are through clubs, based on the number of USATF members a club has. There are also voting spots for unattached athletes. Click here for details on this important meeting.


5K CHAMPIONSHIP NEXT UP

        The fifth race in this year's Championship Grand Prix, the Brewery Exchange 5K in Lowell runs on Sunday, September 10, at noon. Separate men's and women's races.


CROSS COUNTRY

        The fall schedule is available on the cross country page. You will also find entry forms for the October 22 Boston Mayor's Cup race, presented by the BAA and adidas, and the November 12 USATF New England Championships at Franklin Park.


TRACK and FIELD CLINIC

        The annual New England Collegiate Coaches Association clinic will be held on September 25 at 7:00 p.m. at the Best Western Royal Plaza in Milford MA. Topics include 400 Hurdles, Discus, 800 Meter training, and Analysis of Pole Vault Techniques. The clinic is open to all coaches - college, high school, club. Email neicaaa@mediaone.net for specifics


NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS AVAILABLE

        Results of the recently completed Junior Olympics Nationals in Buffalo, and the National Masters Track & Field in Eugene OR can be found at these sites.
        Congratulations to Air Time Athletics pole vaulters Molly Lederman (Intermediate) and Samantha Shepard (Young Women) who won Junior Olympic National titles in Buffalo this summer.


NE JUNIOR OLYMPICS TO NASHUA IN NOVEMBER

        New Hampshire will host its first ever New England Junior Olympic championships as the New England meet will be held in Nashua at Mine Falls Park, adjacent to Nashua High School on Sunday, November 12. The meet will be hosted by the Nashual P.A.L. Cruisers club, whose teams earned several all-American honors at the 1999 JO Nationals. The full cross country schedule and an entry form will be posted later in August.


NEW ENGLANDERS COMPETE AT OLYMPIC TRIALS

        A number of New England natives and current athletes took part at the Olympic Trials in Sacramento July 14-23. NE HS products Robert Howard (Shea, Pawtucket RI) and Lynda Lipson-Blutreich (Bp.Fenwick, Lynn MA) won the triple jump and javelin, respectively; several others finished high enough to earn a spot or alternate designation on the 2000 US Olympic Team.
        Racewalker Joanne Dow (Manchester NH) and 5000 runner Amy Rudolph (Providence) were also added to the team when athletes ahead of them encountered eligibility issues and opted for another event, respectively. Click here for all the results.


USATF EASTERN REGIONAL MASTERS MEET

        Nearly 300 competitors ranging from age 30 to 88 took part at the East Regional Masters meet at Springfield College on July 15. One new US Masters record was set, by Onetheia Lewis of New York in the hammer. Click here for results.


QUALIFIERS READY FOR US OLYMPIC TRIALS

        The US Olympic Track & Field Trials take place in Sacramento July 14-23. Click here to see the New England athletes who have qualified for the Trials.


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