Thirty six athletes from Brooks-Fleet Feet Racing in Sacramento made the trip in order to raise funds to help a teammate's ailing daughter and defend their 2005 team title. The team scored 637 points to outdistance the Florida Athletic Club (393) and SoCal-Fleet Feet (332). With several pledges for both team points and personal records, more than $4,000 was raised for Dianne McCarthy and her daughter Brianna.

�I was really proud of our team. They competed hard for four days under difficult circumstances with the heat, humidity and schedule changes, said coach Randy Sturgeon. �Yet, they kept a very positive attitude and did all they could to help a teammate and her daughter.�

Brooks-Fleet Feet's Karen Kunz (in photo to the right) teamed up with top runners from across the country to break the 50-59 4 x 800 World record, clocking a speedy time of 10:27.04. The previous listed mark of 10:33.26 was set by a Dutch team in 1999. Karen also eclipsed her own pending American record in the 50-54 2000 meter steeplechase with a time of 8:31.15. She finished second in the 1500, 5000, and 10,000 and third in the 800. Kathleen Shook, also of Brooks-Fleet Feet, set a new American standard in the 400 meter hurdles with a very fast 1:09.38. In addition, Kathleen won the 400 meter dash, finished second in the 200, third in the 100, anchored her club s gold medal 4 x 100 relay squad, and leapt to a second place finish in the high jump.

Other noteworthy accomplishments include a sprint triple-gold by Joy Upshaw-Margerum (photo on right) in the 45-49 100 and 200 meter dashes and the 80 hurdles (she also placed second in the long jump) and a distance triple by Roger Busch in the 30-34 5000, 10,000, and 3,000 steeple. Amazingly, Roger won the steeple a mere 30 minutes after winning the 10 km! 75-year-old Edythe Leek prevailed in the 100, 200 and 400 meter dashes and high jump. She also medaled or placed in five other field events.

The newly crowned National Champions are:

30-34
Dina Birade, 100m dash
Sherri Kidwell, 5000, shot put, hammer throw, javelin throw
Roger Busch, 5000, 10,000, steeplechase

35-39
Teri Lowe, pentathlon, high jump
Jaymee Marty, 1500, 5000, javelin

40-44
Aaron Thigpen, 100m
Curt Roth, pole vault
Debbie Zakerski, 2000 steeplechase, 4 x 100 relay
Carla Kehoe, 4 x 100 relay

45-49
Jeff Adkins, 5000, 10,000
Steve Kollars, 3000 steeplechase
Theresa Kollars, 5000
Liz Palmer, pentathlon, 4 x 100 relay
Kathleen Shook, 400, 400 hurdles (AR), 4 x 100 relay

50-54
Mike Houar, 10,000
Karen Kunz, 2000 steeplechase (AR), 4 x 800 relay (WR)

55-59
Tom Bernhardt, 5000, 10,000
Thomas Fahey, discus throw
Dennis Cameron, hammer throw

60-64
Frank Condon, 1500
Rusty Barnett, 5000, 2000 steeplechase

65-69
Doris Cassels, 10,000 race walk

70-74
Jack Bray, 5000 race walk, 10,000 race walk
Shirley Dockstader, 5000 race walk, 10,000 race walk

75-79
Edythe Leek, 100, 200, 400, high jump

40-49 4 x 100 Relay
Brooks-Fleet Feet Racing (Kehoe, Zakerski, Palmer, Shook)

Special appreciation to the USATF officials who worked long, arduous hours and did an outstanding job of getting the meet back on schedule after weather-related delays. Thanks also to meet director Gordon Edwards and his staff, USATF North Carolina, announcer Pete Taylor, and host team Carolina Track and Field Club for an outstanding and memorable event. The 2007 Masters Track and Field Championships will be held at the University of Maine in Orono where the Pacific Association is anticipating another great showing.

Congratulations, everyone!
For complete results visit the USA Masters Outdoor Track &Field Championships Homepage