Upshaw-Margerum posts record-setting performance at 2008 USA Masters Outdoor Championships

SPOKANE, Wash. - Joy Upshaw-Margerum took center stage with an American record in the women's hurdles Friday at the 2008 USA Masters Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Spokane Falls Community College in Spokane, Wash. The event will continue through Sunday.

The USA Masters Outdoor Championships annually showcases extraordinary demonstrations of speed, power, skill and endurance by many of the world's finest masters track and field athletes. Athletes compete in five-year age divisions, beginning at age 30.

The reigning World Outdoor women's 45-49 age-group long jump champion, Upshaw-Margerum set the American record in the W45 80m hurdles in 12.07 seconds this afternoon in Spokane.

"I focused on getting out quick and just attacking, and I was able to hold on," said Upshaw-Margerum. "I wanted to race well and be quick off the hurdles and in between. I wasn't planning on the American record. I just wanted to run the best I could today."

The chair of USA Track & Field's Masters Site Selection Committee and a resident of Los Altos Hills, Calif., Upshaw-Margerum is the sister of 2008 Team USA Olympic Games long jumper Grace Upshaw.

Martin wins again, sets record

After winning the women's 55-59 age group in the 5,000 meters yesterday, masters all-time great Kathy Martin of Northport, N.Y., won the 2,000m steeplechase this afternoon in the new American masters W55 record time of 8:23.20. In addition to her numerous records and national titles, Martin was named the first-ever USATF National Masters Athlete of the Year in 2004.

Race walk records fall

Two listed American masters records fell this morning in race walk competition with Jack Bray of Greenbrae, Calif., winning the M75 5,000m walk in 30:29.17, and John Starr of Newark, Del., emerging victorious in the M80 walk, crossing the finish line in 34:08.44.

In field event action, William "Bill" Platts of Boise, Idaho, set a new U.S. M80 record in the javelin with a toss of 38.80 meters/127 feet 3 inches. Platts demonstrated his versatility in also winning the M80 long jump with a leap of 3.66m/12-0.25.

In men's 400m action, reigning World Indoor Masters M70 champion Mack Stewart of Katy, Texas, jumped out to a big lead and won the final going away in 1 minute 4.77 seconds, winning by a margin of a little less than eight seconds. "I wanted to get out pretty quick and just stride down the backstretch and hopefully come in from there," said Stewart. I pushed myself to see how well I could do today. I always want to give the best effort I can."

Reigning world indoor and outdoor M60 champion Charles Allie from Pittsburgh, Pa., stepped up to the 400 meters this afternoon and won the national crown in convincing fashion. Allie got out fast before extending his lead and holding on for the win in 56.05 seconds. Allie finished ahead of runner-up and reigning World Outdoor champion Larry Barnum of Reno, Nev., who finished in 59.48.

"I really wanted to redeem myself because this time last year I pulled a hamstring muscle over in Italy, said Allie." I had to go out there and just run my race. I got out quick from the blocks and on the backstretch I float, and on the curve I pick it up, and that's basically my style.

Former Texas Christian University All-American Bill Collins is recognized as one of the greatest masters sprinters ever, and in winning the M55 400m national title in Spokane, he added yet another gold medal to his overflowing trophy case. Collins, 57, from Houston, Tex., won going away in 54.11 seconds, finishing well ahead of runner-up Francis Schiro, who crossed the finish line in 58.19 seconds.

"I just wanted to finish strong, run well and finish well," said Collins. "I feel really good, really strong." Collins also will compete in the 100m and 200m at Spokane.

Lewis does it again

After winning the W45 shot put yesterday, Oneithea Lewis of Oakland Gardens, N.Y., rode that wave of momentum to a convincing victory today in the discus throw. Lewis spun the platter 41.27 meters/135 feet 5 inches for a comfortable winning margin of just over 38 feet.

Former of University of Texas standout Carol Finsrud, who competed at the 2000 Olympic Trials and owns the U.S. women's masters discus records in four age divisions, was victorious today in the W50 age group in the hammer throw. A resident of Lockhart, Texas, Finsrud won the competition with a toss of 44.27 meters/145 feet 3 inches.

Masters Track & Field pioneer David Pain attends Championships

The USATF Masters Track & Field Committee is playing host this week in Spokane to David Pain, 86, and his wife, Linda. Pain introduced and implemented the idea of adult age-group competition in track and field. Through Pain's leadership, the first U.S. National Masters Track & Field Championship took place July 19-20, 1968 at Balboa Stadium in San Diego, Calif. Now contested across the globe, masters track and field athletes compete at a world outdoor championship every two years.

"I had an idea, and in its infancy I had no conception that it would become what it has," said Pain. "The idea came along at just the right time and it's given me a great sense of accomplishment."

For more information on the 2008 USATF Masters Outdoor Championships, including the complete results, visit: www.usatf.org.