Contact: Tom Surber
USA Track & Field
(317) 261-0500
http://www.usatf.org/

USA Track & Field News & Notes

Volume 1, Number 8 April 12, 2000

Prefontaine Selected for Hall of Fame

It was announced this week that the late Steve Prefontaine has been selected for induction into the National High School Sports Hall of Fame. Prefontaine will be honored with 13 additional inductees in ceremonies July 8 in Minneapolis.

During his prep career at Marshfield H.S. in Coos Bay, Ore., Prefontaine won state cross country titles in 1967 and 1968. Along with winning the state crown in the mile in 1969, "Pre" also won the state title in the two-mile race in 1968 and 1969.

He went on to become a three-time NCAA Cross Country champ at Oregon where he also captured four 5000 meter national collegiate titles. At the time of his death due to an automobile accident in 1975, Prefontaine held every American record from 2,000 to 10,000 meters. He was elected to the National Track & Field Hall of Fame in 1976.

U.S. Takes Second at Pan Am Race Walk Cup

The U.S. men's and women's teams finished a combined second at the Pan American Race Walk Cup, April 8-9 in Poza Rica, Mexico. The home nation won the combined event, utilizing the Pan Am Race Walk Cup as its Olympic Trials.

The event began on Saturday, April 8, with the women's 20k race, with the U.S. team looking to defend its 1996 title. Warm and humid conditions made the competition difficult for everyone, but the Mexican team won easily by placing the top three finishers in cruising to victory. The American team finished second with Michelle Rohl and Susan Armenta placing in the top-ten, and Danielle Kirk (12th) serving as the other U.S. scorer.

Women's 20k Championship

Top Five Finishers U.S. Team

1. Guadalupe Sanchez (MEX), 1:34:39                       8. Michelle Rohl - 1:37:48
2. Mara Ibanez (MEX), 1:34:52                                10. Susan Armenta - 1:39:54
3. Graciela Mendoza (MEX), 1:35:28                        12. Danielle Kirk - 1:41:09
4. Oslaidy Cruz Vera (CUB), 1:36:01                        16. Jill Zenner - 1:43:56
5. Rosario Sanchez (MEX), 1:36:14                           DQ: Sarah Standley

Men's 20k Championship

Following the women's race, the U.S. men's 20k unit took to the course featuring an "A" and a "B" team based on results from last year's USA Nationals in Eugene, Ore. At the gun, "A" team members Curt Clausen, Andrew Herman, Tim Seaman, Kevin Eastler and Jonathan Matthews, along with the "B" team's Sean Albert, Philip Dunn and Dave McGovern, all faced temperatures in the 80s and 100% humidity. Just as in the women's 20k, the Mexican team took the top three places with Bernardo Segura and Noe Hernandez finishing the contest in a photo finish. Segura and Noe decided to cross the finish line arm-in-arm, knowing that they had just booked their tickets for Sydney. The U.S. squad finished second.

Top Five Finishers USA Team

1. Bernardo Segura (MEX), 1:22:47                             7. Andrew Herman - 1:26:39
2. Noe Hernandez (MEX), 1:22:47                              12. Curt Clausen - 1:29:59
3. Cristian Berdeja (MEX), 1:23:46                              15. Kevin Eastler - 1:31:54
4. Jefferson Perez (ECU), 1:24:36                                16. Sean Albert - 1:31:57
5. Alejandro Lopez (MEX), 1:24:43                             19. Philip Dunn - 1:35:10
                                                                                    22. Jonathan Matthews - 1:36:32
                                                                                    DQs: Dave McGovern, Tim Seaman

Men's 50k Championship

Much cooler temperatures greeted the competitors who toed the line for the 50k competition on Sunday. Enthusiastic Mexican fans cheered their countrymen throughout the course, and their heroes responded by capturing the first four places in taking an easy victory over the second-place American contingent. Miguel Angel Rodriquez won the event in dominating fashion, more than four minutes clear of the field.

Top Five Finishers USA Team

1. Miguel Angel Rodriguez (MEX), 3:43:51                     15. Mark Green - 4:39:03
2. Joel Sanchez (MEX), 3:47:54                                      17. Theron Kissinger - 4:51:30
3. German Sanchez (MEX), 3:48:05                                18. Gary Morgan - 5:02:06
4. Carlos Mercenario (MEX), 3:50:27                             19. William Leggett - 5:04:50
5. Aurturo Huerta (CAN), 3:56:01

Note: The USATF Communications Department is grateful to Al Heppner for providing the information for this report.

USATF Welcomes Martin to Indy!

In order to better serve its membership and local associations, USA Track & Field is pleased to announce the hiring of Andy Martin as the organization's new Associations and Member Services Manager. As the former Managing Director of USATF's New Jersey Association, Martin brings a wealth of experience in the membership area.

During his two-year term with the New Jersey Association, Martin was responsible for the daily staff and office operations of the 7,200-member non-profit organization. In addition, he also maintained the association's web site, secured and maintained corporate sponsorships and handled the promotion and marketing of membership. Along with serving as Editor/Publisher for the organization's 32 page quarterly magazine, Martin also worked with the association's budget and finance committee to develop the annual budget. He will begin his duties in USATF's Grass Roots Department on May 1.

Presidential Candidates to "Race" in Eugene?

A reporter phoned USATF this week claiming that a story was written in a monthly publication claiming that six small-party presidential candidates had agreed to run a 100 meter race at the USA Masters Outdoor Championships at Eugene, Ore., in August. The victor would receive an invitation to participate in a televised debate this fall with Vice-President Al Gore and Texas Governor George Bush.

The story, which appeared in the April 2000 edition of National Masters News, claimed that the contestants would be handicapped by age, and that "the candidates agreed to the bizarre proposal as a 'last resort' so at least one of them would be included in the debates with the Democratic and Republican candidates."

The story claims that USATF proposed the idea, and a USATF spokesperson was quoted saying, "Under Craig Masback's direction, we're looking for new and unique ways to market our sport. All the candidates are over age 40, so the masters meet seemed like a good fit. This should attract a big TV audience."

Hopefuls expected to take part in the race include Ralph Nader, probable Green Party candidate, likely Libertarian Party nominee Harry Browne and Pat Buchanan representing the Reform Party. Rounding out the field will be Howard Phillips of the American Independent Party, John Hagelin of the Natural Law Party and the New Party's Drew Patterson.

The reporter who brought this story to the attention of the USATF Media Department, asked to confirm its authenticity before running it. Good idea - but all the reporter needed to do was check the dateline of the story - APRIL 1!

# # #