Volume 96 | January 2019 Dow nload a PDF of this new sletter here!

The OTC and TrackTown ​​Loses a Good Friend and Leader

Barbara Kousky, a driving force in the , passed away on December 17. Barbara was a tireless volunteer and leader in the OTC for decades.

Her good friend and former business partner, Tom Jordan, shared this tribute:

Dedicated, selfless, intense, warm, and loyal – with the passing of Barbara Kousky, the Oregon track and field community has lost one of its brightest lights.

From her time as president of the OTC Masters, to several terms Barbara Kousky as USA Track & Field Masters Chair, to a 20-year partnership in Northwest Event Management, to extensive volunteer work in every aspect of track and field and in the community, Barbara gave her all to every endeavor.

It was my great privilege to be Barbara's business partner in Northwest Event Management for 20 years, and her friend for far longer than that. She brought her high standard of excellence to all of the events we helped organize -- two USA Championships, three National Masters Championships, one World Veterans' Championships, 13 Butte to Butte events, the 2004 Junior Olympics, and the 2008 Olympic Trials, our last event together.

Our first event was the World Veterans' Championships (now called the World Masters Championships) in 1989, still the largest participatory track and field event ever held at . Just under 5,000 athletes competed over two weeks, and for years after, Masters athletes around the world spoke of Eugene in '89 with fondness. Helping us every step of the way was Barbara’s husband Ed, who really was a third partner in all of the events. He and Barbara were devoted to each other, and made a great team together.

As much as she will be missed by her family and many friends, after many months of declining health, Barbara is in a better place. And she will always have a place in our hearts. ---Tom Jordan

“Barbara was one of the most special “I'm so grateful to have collaborated with people I've ever met. The very best parts of Barbara. Her counsel was sound, her work TrackTown USA have her fingerprints on ethic was unmatched, and her warmth was them and her legacy is enduring.” uplifting. The fabric of TrackTown is forever strengthened by her many contributions.” Michael Reilly OTC Annual Dinner Meeting Features Food, Fun, and Awards

The annual Oregon Track Club Dinner and Business Meeting will be held Tuesday, February 12 in The Club Room at . The meeting kicks off the Club’s 61st year of supporting track and field, fitness, and community service.

Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and OTC will host a buffet dinner starting at 5:30 p.m. A brief business meeting will follow the dinner.

All current (2019) OTC adult members are invited to attend the dinner and meeting. Members will receive an email invitation the week of January 14 with an easy RSVP reply process. The dinner portion of the evening is limited to the first 330 members who respond to the RSVP by February 4th.

The business meeting will include the election of the Board of Directors, 2019 budget approval, the Reske and Brathwaite Award presentations, updates on the UO track and field program and OTC Elite programs. The featured speaker will be announced in the February newsletter.

Sandy Pashkin Selected To USATF Hall of Fame

Longtime OTC member and volunteer, Sandy Pashkin, was selected for the USA Track & Field Masters Hall of Fame.

Pashkin, a 17-year OTC member, is being recognized for her almost six-decade contribution to the sport of track and field and as an administrator for Masters activities at the local, national, and international levels.

Read the full article

Sandy Pashkin proudly shows her Masters Hall of Fame certificate at the USATF Convention held recently in Columbus, OH.

Pre’s Trail Hearing Set for January 24

The City of Eugene Historic Review Board will hold a public hearing on Thursday, January 24 and possibly decide on designating the Trail (Pre’s Trail), a city historic landmark.

The hearing is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m in the Sloat Room in the Atrium Building located at 99 West 10th Avenue.

For more information on the application or to submit testimony, contact:

Rodney Bohner, Assistant Planner Eugene Planning Division, Land Use Planning 99 West 10th Avenue, Eugene Oregon 97401 541-682-5437 [email protected]

Read the full article

In Memory

Gerald (Jerry) Jackson

January 31, 1943 - November 23, 2018

Jerry Jackson passed away at age 75 after a battle with cancer.

Jackson was a longtime OTC member and a track and field official for 48 years. He was also a member of the OTC Board of Directors.

He served as a starter at Hayward Field and head of the hurdles crew. He was a Certified USATF Official and was selected to work six track and field Olympic Trials. Gerald (Jerry) Jerry was born and raised in Aberdeen, WA. He was stationed in the San Jackson Francisco Bay Area and Hawaii while serving in the U.S. Navy. He took great pride in his military service and he fell in love with the Bay Area. He was a diehard 49ers, Giants baseball, and Duck fan.

Jackson and his wife Penny moved to Springfield in 1966. Jerry began a career with Weyerhaeuser where he worked for 38 years until his retirement.

The Jackson family was recently inducted into the Springfield High School (Oregon) Hall of Fame. The Ambassadors for Kids honor was also presented to the family. The recognition was for their long-standing commitment to community volunteerism. Jerry loved to volunteer at local high schools during track season and encouraged his family to do the same.

Jackson is survived by his wife Penny, his sons Michael and Matthew, granddaughter Marissa, and his sister Mary Ann. The family would like to thank the caregivers at the Pete Moore Hospice House for their efforts and dedication during Jerry’s excellent care. Club Officers Approved by Board

The Oregon Track Club Board of Directors recently approved the Club’s officers for 2019.

The officers are: • President: Kevin Marbury • Senior Vice President: Erin Regali • Vice President-Membership Services: • Vice President-Events: Maureen Pollock • Secretary: Jeanne Kofranek • Treasurer: Molly Wildman

Read the full article

USATF Selects Local Officials

The USA Track & Field Association (USATF) recently selected the officials who will officiate three 2019 USATF national meets. Several Hayward Field officials were among those selected.

Several hundred USATF certified officials applied to work these high profile meets:

USATF Indoor Championships, February 22-24, Staten Island, NY USATF U20 Outdoor Championships (under 20 years old), June 21-23, site TBA USATF Senior Outdoor Championships, July 25-28, Des Moines, IA

Go here to see a list of the local officials selected.

Registration Open For Butte to Butte

Happy New Year! It is time to start preparing for the 46th Annual Aquafina OTC Butte to Butte. As always, this regional classic is on the Fourth of July, a Thursday this year.

The race courses will remain the same as in the past few years, with a fabulous finish and post-race celebration at the 5th Street Public Market.

Registration for the 2019 Aquafina OTC Butte to Butte is currently open. Remember to sign up early to guarantee your preferred shirt size, as shirts will sell out. You can find all event details at ButteToButte.com

Read the full article

Grass Roots Grant Recipients List Updated

The OTC Grass Roots Grant Program announced the recipients of the 2018 grants in the December newsletter. The OTC is pleased to announce that the Club has also made a grant of $1,000 to the Bertha Holt Elementary School for its 4th and 5th grade track and field meet.

Also receiving grants were Junction City High School ($2,000) and Sheldon High School ($3,000).

Each year the Oregon Track Club promotes the growth of track and field and running related projects throughout the greater Eugene/Springfield area with the OTC Grass Roots Grant Program.

Out of the Blocks: A Look Ahead

Happy New Year!

In my article in last month’s newsletter, I wrote about taking one last look at all we accomplished in 2018. Taking some time to recount and relive last year’s many adventures was satisfying and fun. The highs definitely outweighed the lows, and for the most part 2018 was a good year. But you can’t live in the past, so it’s time to look ahead.

The first quarter of the year will provide two opportunities for large numbers of our membership to come together as both the Masters and OTC Annual Dinners are scheduled. Great food and conversation along with inspiring speakers and the Kevin Marbury announcement of award winners make for two exciting evenings we can all look forward to attending. The indoor season for our track and field competitors kicks off, while a number of road racing opportunities are also available to those willing to brave the winter elements to compete.

Read the full article Hayward Classic Awaits New Stadium

The 37th annual OTCM Hayward Classic track and field meet will not be held in 2019 due to the construction of the new Hayward Field.

The Hayward Classic is one of the nation’s premium meets for Masters athletes. Last year’s Classic saw three world records and one American record performance.

The OTCM is looking forward to hosting the Hayward Classic in 2020 at the new world-class Hayward Field.

Oregon Track Club MASTERS Masters Annual Dinner Features Bob Welch and Full Agenda

The Oregon Track Club Masters will hold its Annual Dinner on Tuesday, January 15 in the McKenzie Ballroom at the Valley River Inn in Eugene. Social hour is at 5:30 p.m. and the dinner begins at 6:30 p.m.

The dinner menu will include hors d’oeuvres during the social hour, with a no-host bar. The buffet dinner, including vegetarian and gluten-free options, will be followed by the program. We will welcome our in-coming board members; award top performances in track, field, and road racing; honor the recipient of the Arlene Noviello award for outstanding volunteerism; and conclude with the guest speaker, Bob Welch. Welch is a speaker, author, award-winning columnist, and writing teacher. He is the author of more than 20 books, his latest being “The Wizard of Foz: Dick Fosbury’s One-Man High-Jump Revolution.”

The meeting will also include the election of officers and board members, and a proposed Bylaws amendment will be presented by the OTCM Board for consideration by the membership.

The dinner is $25 per person. Please let us know if you wish to attend the dinner by sending this RSVP form. Deadline for sending your RSVP is January 4. Send your RSVP to Sandy Pashkin!

Read the full article

Oregon Track Club MASTERS USATF Honors Masters Athletes

Several masters athletes with ties to the Oregon Track Club were recognized at the USATF Annual Meeting held recently in Columbus, OH.

Sandy Pashkin, the OTCM treasurer, was selected for the USATF Masters Hall of Fame. See the separate story about Pashkin in this newsletter.

Jim Patterson, OTC member, was named the Masters Overall Athlete of the Year in the throws events. He won a gold medal in the 55-59 shot put this year at the World Masters Championships. Jim Patterson OTC member Sharon Gerl was named the Masters Athlete of the Year in the women’s 70-75 age group. She broke the mile world record for her age group (70- 75) at the Hayward Classic in a time of 6:38:30.

Sharon Gerl

Oregon Track Club MASTERS OTCM Holiday Party

Bettina Huber shows off her festive holiday sweater at the OTCM Holiday Party held at OTC Masters members enjoy the annual OTCM the spacious Campbell Center. Holiday Party. The party included a slide show and video from the 2018 Hayward Classic and masters races at the UO Twilight meet. Outgoing OTCM president, Trisha Kluge, thanked the group for their support during her three years as president.

Oregon Track Club MASTERS Ron Apling, Pre’s Teammate and Lifelong Friend

By Don McLean

Ron Apling, 67, moved to the Coos Bay, Oregon area at age four. As a Marshfield High School freshman, he met a sophomore who sat in front of him in Algebra 1 class. Apling broke his arm in football, the sophomore suggested he try cross country. The sophomore was Steve Prefontaine. Prefontaine changed Apling's life.

Apling joined the freshman track team in the spring and was undefeated in the 440 yard run. Following his final victory that year in the South Coast JV Meet at Marshfield, Pre suggested again that Ron go out for cross country in the fall. Ron did and was finally a proud Marshfield Pirate distance runner. Ron Apling Read the full article Photo credit: ​Linda Apling

Oregon Track Club MASTERS OTCM Team Shines at Club XC Meet

The USATF Club Cross Country Championships were held recently in Spokane, WA.

Nearly 600 Masters runners faced below freezing temperatures in the club championship races: women's (40+) 6K, men's (60+) 8K, and men's (40+) 10K.

The event also hosted a women's 6K open category and a men's 10K open race.

The OTC Masters entered a women’s team with Danette Bloomer, Jennifer Brennan, Charlene Fox, and Trisha Kluge. The OTCM team finished in eighth place in the women 50+ category.

Read the full article

The OTC team. Left to right: Danette Bloomer, Jen Brennan, Trisha Kluge, and Charlene Fox.

Oregon Track Club MASTERS Masters Indoor Meets

Masters who are interested in competing in indoor track and field meets in 2019 can use this list as a guide. Some of these meets require prior approval if you are entering as an unattached or post- collegiate competitor. Some meets have entry standards. If you have any questions about these meets, please contact Alison Wood at [email protected].

Achievements Without a Stopwatch by Vin Lananna, Associate Athletic Director of Olympic Development at the and USATF President

We are fortunate to live in a community where high-level performances are tradition. The countless achievements of the Men and Women of Oregon established Hayward Field as the home for athletes who run fast, jump high, and throw far. Professional athletes found their way to live and train here. Legends such as Lance Deal, Maria Mutola and -Slaney, to name only a few, honed their talents on the same trails and in the same rings as the rest of us.

Athletes from across the age spectrum, from youth and high school to the OTC Vin Lananna Masters, have made their impact on the sport while training in the Eugene- Springfield community, a community which has provided a foundation for the OTC Elite to attract many of the best runners from the United States and from around the world. ’s recent victory at the USATF National Club Cross Country Championships in Spokane, Washington, is a vivid reminder of the talented professionals who call TrackTown home.

Read the full article Qatar National Bank To Help Sponsor Oregon21

Qatar National Bank (QNB) and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) recently signed a four-year agreement that makes QNB one of the official worldwide sponsors of several IAAF world athletic events including the 2021 World Track and Field Championship meet (Oregon21) in Eugene, OR.

QNB will also have exposure at IAAF Diamond League meets. The OTC is a Diamond League meet.

QNB, with assets of over 229 billion (USD), is the largest financial institution in the Middle East and Africa. QNB joins a list of IAAF partners, all Japanese companies: Asics, Seiko, and TDK. Under the agreement, the bank will also be one of the official sponsors of the 2019 IAAF World Track and Field Championship in Doha, Qatar as well as the 2019 IAAF World Cross Country Championship in Aarhus, Denmark, and the 2020 IAAF World Indoor Track and Field Championship in Nanjing, China.

Blankenship Captures USATF Club XC Title

By Curtis Anderson/OTC Elite

With an early end to his 2018 outdoor track and field season, Oregon Track Club Elite’s Ben Blankenship was on the lookout for a different kind of competitive experience this fall. “I wanted to retool myself as an athlete,” he said.

Blankenship, a finalist in the 1,500 meters at the 2016 Rio Olympics, found exactly what he was looking for at the 2018 USATF National Club Cross Country Championships in Spokane, WA, on December 8. Ben Blankenship crosses the finish line to win the Read the full article USATF Club Cross Country Championship open men’s title.

Photo by Michael Scott.

OTC Elite Announces Partnership with OIC

Oregon Track Club Elite, a post-collegiate training group of professional track and field athletes based in Eugene, is pleased to announce a new partnership with Oregon Imaging Centers (OIC), a full-service diagnostic medical imaging facility that has been serving the local community for more than 25 years.

The partnership will allow OTC Elite athletes immediate access to the wide range of services provided by OIC, which will enable quick and accurate analyses and treatment plans, a critical resource in maintaining and regaining optimal health in an ongoing effort to achieve peak performance.

“We couldn’t be happier to work with Oregon Imaging Centers,” OTC Elite Coach said. “You never want injured athletes, of course, but when that inevitably does occur, this new partnership will be vital in speeding up the process to help get our athletes back to running.”

Arkansas Track Center Gets $6 Million Donation

Razorback Athletics and the Razorback Foundation announced the Tyson Family (Tyson Foods, Inc.) has committed $6 million to renovate and expand the Randal Tyson Track Center in Fayetteville, AR.

Widely considered the fastest indoor surface ever constructed, the Tyson track has been home to numerous world records, American records, and a large percentage of all current NCAA Championship meet records.

The renovation involves reconfigured seating, enhanced circulation throughout the building, new concessions and restrooms, satellite locker rooms, and training room facilities. The targeted completion date is prior to the 2021 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, which will be held at the venue.

Olafson Inducted

OTC member Dennis Olafson (left) was recently inducted into the USATF Officials Hall of Fame. Olafson has been a track and field official for 46 years. Olafson’s granddaughter, Elka Olafson, and his son, Kaigin, joined Dennis at the Hall of Fame banquet in Columbus, OH.

Have You Made Your Marathon Resolution? by the Eugene Marathon

Happy New Year from the Eugene Marathon! New Year’s resolution: Run the Eugene Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K, or Kids Duck Dash.

Sign up before the next price increase on January 6. You won’t want to miss a grand finish in Autzen Stadium (#FinishOnTheFifty) after conquering a course that runs through downtown Eugene and much of the historic race course.

Read the full article

OTC member Phil Sutton, wearing his OTC cap, visited the George Peabody Library in Baltimore, MD. The library interior is often regarded as one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. Completed in 1878, the neo-Greco interior features an atrium that soars 61 feet high to a latticed skylight of frosted heavy glass, surrounded by five tiers of ornamental black cast- iron balconies and gold- scalloped columns that hold book stacks containing over 300,000 volumes. The research library is part of Johns Hopkins University.

Send Us Your “Where in the World” Photo with YOU in it. Tell us who is in the photo, location, and other details that might be of interest. If possible, wear your OTC branded gear in the picture or other TrackTown related apparel. Send your photo to: Phil Sutton, [email protected].

Photo credit: Sandy Braden

Business Members

Brown Contracting, Inc. Jon Anderson, GOLD Byrke Beller MD, - Pacific Women's Center Kalen Electric & Machinery, Inc. Cameron McCarthy Landscape Architects Kathleen Dugan LMT and Planners Let's Move Fitness, LLC Chambers Construction Company Lile/Eugene Moving & Storage Custom Orthotics Marilyn Milne at Public Relations D2000 Safety, Inc. Services LLC, SILVER Dave Henry Real Estate Services, Inc. Mike Fanelli, San Francisco Real Estate David E. Carmichael, Attorney, SILVER Musgrove Mortuaries & Cemeteries Douglas Gallagher Law Office On Track and Field, Inc. Downtown Athletic Club, SILVER Oregon Medical Group Orthopedic & Sports Eclectic Edge Racing Medicine Clinic, GOLD Eugene Airport Prichard Partners, Inc. Eugene Cascades & Coast Sports Commission RBC Wealth Management, SILVER Eugene Marathon Rexius Forest By-Products, GOLD Eugene Physical Therapy, LLC, SILVER Run Hub Northwest, SILVER Eugene Running Club Runnerspace, GOLD Eugene Running Company Runnin' Wild Eugene Wellness Center Sapient Private Wealth Management Franklin R. Lulich, CPA, P.C. Sightline Property Inspections Garden Way Chiropractic Center Slocum Orthopedics, PC., GOLD Gleaves Swearingen LLP, Attorneys at Law The Carpet Company Handy Ed Construction Track Town Pizza, GOLD Health & Safety Institute Track Town Orthodontics, GOLD Hughes Financial Group of Trisha Kluge, LMT Wells Fargo Advisors, SILVER Tyree Oil, Inc., GOLD Hutchinson, Cox, Coons, Orr & Sherlock, P.C. Valley River Inn, GOLD Innovative Print Group Events Calendar

January ​​February 1: First Run, 8:45 a.m., 10K, 5k, Eugene 2: Bristow Trail Runs, 8:30 a.m., 50K, 25K, 10m, 8: Taco Tuesday Twilight Trot, 6:00 pm., 5K, 5m, Dexter Eugene 5: Taco Tuesday Twilight Trot, 6:00 p.m., 5K, 9: OTC Board Meeting, 7:00 a.m., Valley River Inn, Eugene Eugene 6: OTC Board Meeting, no meeting due to Annual 12: USATF Officials Certification Clinic, 10:00 Dinner a.m., Jefferson, OR 9: Couples Classic, 9:30 a.m., 5K, Eugene 13: Frost Trot, 10:00 a.m., 5K, Eugene 9: Sweetheart Run, 10:00 a.m., 10K, 5K, Sweet 15: OTCM Annual Meeting, 5:30 p.m., Valley River Home Inn, Eugene 10: Truffle Shuffle, 12:45 p.m., 4m, 2m, 19: Winter Predictor, noon, 6K, 13K, Eugene Eugene 24: City Historic Review Board Hearing, Pre’s 12: OTC Annual Dinner, 5:30 p.m., The Club, Trail, 8:30 a.m., Eugene Autzen Stadium 19: Track and Field Officials Annual Dinner & Meeting, 5:30 p.m., Autzen Stadium 23: Hamlin Winter Grit, 10:00 a.m., 3m, Springfield

Always confirm event with event host.

Many thanks to Michael Cahn, Bill Kelly, Trisha Kluge, Kevin Marbury, Don McLean, OTC Elite, Keely Pence, Nathanial Teich, TrackTown USA, Dave Wilkins, Jennifer Touchette (graphic designer), and Phil Sutton (editor) for their support of this newsletter. Please contact Jennifer Touchette at [email protected] or Phil Sutton at [email protected] if you have newsletter questions, comments, or content.

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Oregon Track Club Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. PDT 2350 Oakmont Way, Suite 201, Eugene, OR 97401 • Phone: 541-343-7247 Email: [email protected]