Raschker wins at 2006 USA Masters Outdoor Championships

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - All-time Masters great Phil Raschker added another national title to her trophy case Friday at the 2006 USA Masters Outdoor Track & Field Championships at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. More than 1,400 athletes ranging in age from 35-95+ are in Charlotte competing for national titles. The USA Masters Championships will continue through Sunday.

A resident of Marietta, Ga., Phil Raschker is one of the most accomplished women in the history of masters track and field. A 2004 finalist for the prestigious A.A.U. Sullivan Award that annually recognizes America's outstanding amateur athlete, Raschker won the women's 55 age-group long jump Friday morning with a best effort of 4.21 meters/13 feet, 9.75 inches.

Raschker's winning performance follows a period of rehabilitation following an injury suffered at last year's World Masters Championships in Spain. "My Achilles gave out while I was running the 800 during the heptathlon," she said. "It was not a total tear, but it was a tear in the lower part of the Achilles where it attaches to the calf muscle. I took a long time off and just started training again in July. This is not an important year for me to go 100 percent. The main thing for me right now is to get healthy. I turn 60 in February and I need to get strength back and build up all the muscles, and this is a stepping stone."

Other long jump winners were Kathy Jager (W60, 3.70m/12-1.75), Jane Van Eeuwen (W65, 1.92m/6-3.75), Audrey Lary (W70, 3.37m/11-0.75), Regina Richardson (W40, 4.81m/15-9.50), Gloria Klug (W75, 2.39m/7-10.25) and Rita Hanscom (W50, 4.49m/14-8.75.

2005 National Track and Field Athlete of the Year and Masters Hall of Famer Emil Pawlik of Jackson, Miss., added another U.S. title to his long list of accomplishments with his victory in the M65 long jump with a leap of 4.69m/15-4.75.

Charles Richard of Lafayette, La., captured the M70 long jump title with a best effort of 3.95m/12-11.50.

Other men's long jump winners include Ted Kaladi (4.94m/16-2.50), James Stookey (M75, 4.17m/13-8.25), Melvin Larsen (M80, 3.35m/11-0), Ralph Maxwell (M85, 3.13m/10-3.25), Leland McPhee (M90, 2.23m/7-3.75).

Race walking was the featured event on the track Friday morning with national champions determined in many age groups. Women's 5,000m winners were Carmen Plemmons (W35, 41:46.21), Ginger Armstrong (W40, 32:17.43), Lynette Heinlein (W45, 30:58.93), Debbie Topham (W50, 30:06.00), Cathy Mayfield (W55, 31:51.72), Kathleetn Balser (W60, 31:42.28), Joan Christensen (W65, 32:51.47), Shirley Dockstader (W70, 34:06.18), Katherine Marrs (W75, 36:31.71), Kathleen Balser (W60, 31:42.28), Joan Christensen (W65, 32:51.47), Shirley Dockstader (W70, 34:06.18), Katherine Marrs (W75, 36:31.71), Miriam Gordon (W80, 39:19.91), Miriam Gordon (W80, 39:19.91)

Men's 5,000m race walk winners were Ian Whatley (M45, 25:24.13), Bill Reed (M50, 28:27.75), Michael Wiggins (M55, 26:41.38), Norman Frable (M60, 29:09.97), Paul Johnson (M65, 29:39.22), Jack Bray (M70, 29:58.15), and John Starr (M75, 33:35.38).

In the women's shot put, Christel Donley of Colorado Springs, Colo., won the W70 competition with a winning throw of 8.09m/26-6.50. Others winners were Gloria Krug (W75, 7.22m/23-8.25), Dorothy Vander Cruyssen (8.27m/27-1.75), Marianne Neuber (W65, 9.05m/29-8.25) and Betty Jarvis (W90, 3.71m/12-2.25).

Women's discus throw winners were Kelly Thompson (W35, 25.74m/26-6), Ruth Welding (W50, 34.75m/114-0), Mary Hartzler (W55, 27.79m/91-2), Heather Scanlon (W40, 21.11m/69-3) and Carol Finsrud (W45, 41.93m/137-3).

Bob Ward won the men's 70 division hammer throw with a toss of 47.96m/157-4, and Arnie Gaynor captured the M75 hammer with a best throw of 31.54m/103-6.

In men's pole vault action, winners were Taylor Goode (M70, 3.00m/9-10), Jerry Donley (M75, 2.50m/8-2.50) and Stanley Egerton (M80, 2.40m/7-10.50). Men's javelin throw winners Friday morning were Martin Menkin (M60, 49.39m/162-0) and Gary Stenlund (M65, 54.24m/177-11).

Note: Due to a heat advisory issued by the National Weather Service for Friday afternoon from 1 to 7 p.m., the 2006 USA Masters Outdoor Championships will be suspended during that time.

For more information on the 2006 USA Masters Outdoor Championships, including the complete results, visit www.usatf.org.