Weather continues to hamper USA Masters Championships

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Following a six-hour suspension of competition due to excessive heat Friday afternoon, that evening's schedule of the 2006 USA Masters Track & Field Championships in Charlotte was shortened considerably because of lightning in the area.

Weather permitting, competition will begin again Saturday morning and will continue through Sunday.

More than 1,400 athletes ranging in age from 35-95+ are in Charlotte competing for national titles.

Women's 2,000m steeplechase winners this evening were Nicole Lycan (W30, 7:47.27), Debbie Zakerski (W40, 8:58.26), Christine Long (W45, 10:23.27), Karen Kunz (W50, 8:31.15) and Rusty Barnett (W60, 11:39.97).

Men's 2,000m steeplechase winners were Robert Barber (M60, 7:37.20), Vern Christensen (M65, 8:36.47), Gordon McClenathen (M70, 9:43.56), Jim Selby (M75, 11:44.07) and Dan Bulkley (M85, 16:10.02). In men's 3,000m steeplechase action, winners included James Robinson (M50, 11:19.82) and David Taylor won the M55 division with his time of 12:00.58.

David Quick of Bakersfield, Calif., won the M50 long jump national crown with a leap of 5.56 meters/18 feet 3 inches, and Bobby Terrell of Tampa, Fla., captured the M55 long jump title with a best leap of 5.49m/18 feet, .25 inch.

In men's throwing events Friday evening, hammer throw winners were Tim Shannon (M40, 46.70m/18-0) and Ken Jansson (M45, 51.68m/169-7), and Michael Brown won the M70 Javelin throw with a toss 59.15m/194-0.

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