USA Masters: Maxwell and the Minnesotans

USATF Minnesota masters track and field chair Tom Langenfeld reports on the Minnesota contingent at the USA Masters Indoor Championships held last weekend in Bloomington, Indiana.

Having tried almost every individual track & field event available, Ralph Maxwell turned his attention to a relay challenge in Bloomington—after breaking his own listed M90 world record in the indoor pentathlon, that is.

Now 92, Ralph hoped to put together a 4 x 200m team of four 90-year-olds. He had to settle for three (91, 92 and 94), and one 89-year-old. They ran as an M80-89 team, the age group being determined by the age of the youngest team member. Their time was 3:36.28. Average individual time: 54.1 seconds. Average age: 91.5.

Within the pentathlon, Ralph’s long jump mark was exactly the same as a year ago. His shot put was 6½ inches better and his 1000m was almost 48 seconds better. In all, he took home six medals—gold in the pentathlon (4030 points), high jump (.98m/3’2.50”), long jump (2.39m/7’10.25”), triple jump (5.57m/18’3.50”) and shot put (7.04m/23’1.25”), and silver in the 60m (running 12.55 against his relay teammates).

In all, nine Minnesotans competed in the nationals this year (that I know of), six medaling. In addition to Ralph:

Lance Elliott M41, Edina – second in the M40 mile (4:39.12); third in the 800 (2:05.02).

Robert Jones M49, St. Louis Park – third in the M45 weight throw (12.16m/34’10.75”); fourth in the super weight (7.17/23’6.25”); fifth in the shot put (10.59/34’9”).

Susan Loyd M54, Edina – second in the W50 shot (8.13m/26’8.25”) – a Minnesota age group record; fourth in the 400m (1:12.50; fifth in the 60m (9.53); fifth in the 200m (32.24).

Kathy Haubrich M52, Shakopee – third in the W50 400 m (1:10.22); fifth in the 800m (2:46.05). Also ran on the gold medal W50-59 4x800 club relay team.

Tom Langenfeld M76, Edina – first in the M75 high jump (1.37/4’6”). [Editor's note: the victory is Langenfeld's 14th USA Masters Indoor HJ title and 33rd USA Master HJ title in total.]

Jim Schoffman M58, Fridley – fourth in the M55 400m (1:00.60); fourth in the 200m (27.23).

Michael Soule M60, Wyoming – fourth in the M60 pole vault (2.60m/8’6.25”), seventh in the long jump

Patrick O’Regan M65, Inver Grove Heights – seventh in the M65 800.

A good meet – something over 800 participants according to reports. Indiana University was a friendly host. The meet could have been held outdoors as far as the weather was concerned. Temperatures in the 70s and 80s.