The Texas
Instruments Track and Field Team captured their 7th consecutive National
Corporate Cup Championship on July 22nd and 23rd in
Golden,
GOLDEN IN GOLDEN
We knew
going in that it would be tight.
BAH has been getting stronger and the wildcard
team of QWEST returned to the event in 2006. I predicted we would need at least
(9) 1st place finishes in the 21 events to retain our title. We brought a big team of 57 with 10
rookies. This team had the lowest
number of auto-qualified runners in our history – so we were going to
have to win it with a concerted team effort.
Men’s 5K Team Race – 2nd
It took no
longer than this first event to know it was going to be a very tight meet. The top 5 age group runners for each
team score and the best WAVA score is the tiebreaker. We had (4) 1st place AG’s
but the fifth one eluded us by 0.53 seconds. We were watching for UNUM and BAH, but
QWEST sneaked into the 5K and had a guy beat us by 0.53 seconds in the 45-49
AG. In another AG we lost by 11
seconds. BAH tied us and it went to the tiebreaker. Trevor Ward (TI) scored a 75.84 but a
BAH runner scored 75.93 beating us by 0.09 points! That’s about 1.5 seconds on
a 20 minute run.
|
Men's 5K (0-24) |
Final |
22:42 |
5K |
M |
20 |
Weitzel,
Jared |
3/57.09 |
|
Men's 5K (0-24) |
Final |
27:59 |
5K |
M |
24 |
Ledbetter, Christopher |
4/46.33 |
|
Men's 5K (30-34) |
Final |
17:59 |
5K |
M |
33 |
Kukel, Scott |
1/72.04 |
|
Men's 5K (35-39) |
Final |
18:11 |
5K |
M |
37 |
Schmidt, Brian |
2/71.30 |
|
Men's 5K (40-44) |
Final |
18:43 |
5K |
M |
44 |
Steffen, Scott |
2/74.11 |
|
Men's 5K (45-49) |
Final |
20:02 |
5K |
M |
47 |
Wade, Dennis |
2/71.96 |
|
Men's 5K (50-54) |
Final |
21:04 |
5K |
M |
54 |
Jenkins, JJ |
2/71.28 |
|
Men's 5K (55-59) |
Final |
20:08 |
5K |
M |
56 |
Ward, Trevor |
1/75.84 |
|
Men's 5K (60-64) |
Final |
24:38 |
5K |
M |
64 |
King, |
1/66.90 |
|
Men's 5K (65-69) |
Final |
23:19 |
5K |
M |
66 |
Vanbesien,
Bies |
1/72.19 |
|
Total-Men's 5K |
|
|
|
|
|
2nd |
|
Women’s 5K Team Race –
1st
For the
women, the top 4 AG places are your score and we had a perfect 4. Had we needed it, Mary Kennard had the
best female WAVA score and would have been the tiebreaker.
|
Women's 5K (30-34) |
Final |
26:05 |
5K |
F |
33 |
Hancock, Tonya |
4/55.20 |
|
Women's 5K (35-39) |
Final |
27:39 |
5K |
F |
37 |
DeLoach,
Juanita |
2/52.06 |
|
Women's 5K (45-49) |
Final |
23:40 |
5K |
F |
46 |
Fales,
Pam |
1/67.19 |
|
Women's 5K (45-49) |
Final |
27:56 |
5K |
F |
49 |
Askawool,
Pam |
6/58.47 |
|
Women's 5K (50-54) |
Final |
24:21 |
5K |
F |
50 |
Sulser, Dianna |
1/67.69 |
|
Women's 5K (60-64) |
Final |
31:31 |
5K |
F |
64 |
Salter, Mary |
1/60.54 |
|
Women's 5K (65-69) |
Final |
26:35 |
5K |
F |
67 |
Kennard, Mary |
1/74.59 |
|
Total-Women's 5K |
|
|
|
|
|
1st |
|
There are 3 final
events held on Saturday along with prelims for all other events. We did well in prelims and qualified for
all the Sunday finals. Part of the jumps
and throws are also held on Saturday.
Submaster Distance Relay – 2nd
Everyone on
our team ran very well, but a strong BAH team kept us off the top step of the
awards platform.
|
SubMaster
Dist Relay |
Final |
02:11.7 |
800 |
M |
30 |
Heap, Ken |
|
|
SubMaster
Dist Relay |
Final |
01:08.3 |
400 |
F |
30 |
Toliver,
Robin |
|
|
SubMaster
Dist Relay |
Final |
03:34.5 |
1200 |
M |
35 |
Thelen, Brian |
|
|
SubMaster
Dist Relay |
Final |
04:56.5 |
1600 |
M |
35 |
Luo,
Luke |
|
|
Total-SubMaster
Dist |
|
11:51.0 |
|
|
|
2nd |
|
Executive Relay – 1st
Solid
performances all around gave us a comfortable win in this event.
|
Executive Relay |
Final |
02:58.1 |
800 |
F |
30 |
Howard, Vonnie |
|
|
Executive Relay |
Final |
00:59.1 |
400 |
M |
30 |
Fortenberry,
Todd |
|
|
Executive Relay |
Final |
02:23.2 |
800 |
M |
30 |
Heap, Ken |
|
|
Executive Relay |
Final |
05:34.4 |
1600 |
M |
30 |
Wade, Dennis |
|
|
Total-Executive Relay |
|
11:54.8 |
|
|
|
1st |
|
Distance Relay – 2nd
Particularly punishing this year at altitude. Everyone ran well, but we couldn’t
overcome the young BAH team. This
is an open age event in most slots, but our team had three folks over 40 and
two in their 30’s.
|
2006 Event |
Fin/ Pre |
06 Result |
Dist |
Sex |
Age |
06 Name |
Pl/Wava |
|
Distance Relay |
Final |
07:11.4 |
1600 |
F |
Open |
Nagel, Heidi |
|
|
Distance Relay |
Final |
02:15.2 |
800 |
M |
Open |
Thelen, Brian |
|
|
Distance Relay |
Final |
05:15.4 |
1600 |
M |
40 |
Steffen, Scott |
|
|
Distance Relay |
Final |
05:18.2 |
1600 |
M |
Open |
Schmidt, Brian |
|
|
Distance Relay |
Final |
11:16.4 |
3200 |
M |
Open |
Kukel, Scott |
|
|
Total-Distance Relay |
|
31:16.6 |
|
|
|
2nd |
|
Sunday morning kicked
off with the 10K road races.
Men’s 10K – 1st
Steffen and
Schmidt were laser focused on chasing the BAH guys who edged them in their age
groups in the 5K. Falk Alicke joined us at the last
minute from the TI Longmont office and we lined it up.
|
Men's 10K (0-24) |
Final |
49:08 |
10K |
M |
23 |
Weitzel,
Jared |
2/54.88 |
|
Men's 10K (30-34) |
Final |
42:11 |
10K |
M |
33 |
Kukel, Scott |
4/63.92 |
|
Men's 10K (30-34) |
Final |
39:04 |
10K |
M |
34 |
Alicke,
Falk |
1/69.03 |
|
Men's 10K (35-39) |
Final |
37:52 |
10K |
M |
37 |
Schmidt, Brian |
2/71.20 |
|
Men's 10K (40-44) |
Final |
38:20 |
10K |
M |
44 |
Steffen, Scott |
1/74.81 |
|
Men's 10K (45-49) |
Final |
41:12 |
10K |
M |
47 |
Tucker, Dave |
1/41:12 |
|
Men's 10K (45-49) |
Final |
43:46 |
10K |
M |
47 |
Drumm, Jim |
2/67.55 |
|
Men's 10K (55-59) |
Final |
42:23 |
10K |
M |
56 |
Ward, Trevor |
1/74.50 |
|
Men's 10K (60-64) |
Final |
51:28 |
10K |
M |
64 |
King, |
1/66.21 |
|
Men's 10K (65-69) |
Final |
48:24 |
10K |
M |
66 |
Vanbesien,
Bies |
1/71.93 |
|
Total-Men's 10K |
|
|
|
|
|
1st |
|
Women’s 10K – 1st
The women
repeated their 5K feat, but it wasn’t easy. Pam Fales was
hurting and held on like a true team player to secure that fourth 1st
place and give the women their second road victory.
|
Women's 10K (30-34) |
Final |
56:12 |
10K |
F |
33 |
Hancock, Tonya |
5/53.23 |
|
Women's 10K (45-49) |
Final |
51:05 |
10K |
F |
46 |
Fales,
Pam |
1/64.27 |
|
Women's 10K (50-54) |
Final |
50:56 |
10K |
F |
50 |
Sulser, Dianna |
1/66.82 |
|
Women's 10K (60-64) |
Final |
68:02 |
10K |
F |
64 |
Salter, Mary |
1/57.89 |
|
Women's 10K (65-69) |
Final |
57:09 |
10K |
F |
67 |
Kennard, Mary |
1/71.55 |
|
Total-Women's 10K |
|
|
|
|
|
1st |
|
4x100m relay – 2nd
We saw an
impressive QWEST team in the prelims with the 1998 world indoor 200m champ
Kevin Little on anchor. We were
focused and knew we needed a great time.
We were all flying around the track and well ahead of our competition –
until the final baton pass. It was
a beautiful blind exchange at top speed, but the baton squirted out of Aaron’s
hand (sweat, sunscreen, or a combo?).
What’s amazing is that he chased it down, picked it up, and still
got us in 2nd place.
BAH won and the overall race tightened.
|
4 x 100 Relay |
Final |
15.3 |
100 |
F |
40 |
Samilton, Cynthia |
|
|
4 x 100 Relay |
Final |
12.7 |
100 |
F |
Open |
Faluade,
Loretta |
|
|
4 x 100 Relay |
Final |
11.3 |
100 |
M |
40 |
Westbrook, Paul |
|
|
4 x 100 Relay |
Final |
15.2 |
100 |
M |
Open |
|
|
|
Total-4 x 100 Relay |
|
54.5 |
|
|
|
2nd - baton drop |
|
Women’s 800m Team – 3rd
Viola S and
Beth M couldn’t make it this year, so we were without out two strongest
800m females. Heidi and Vonnie have been working hard all year, and they looked
great running in this open age event.
BAH won however.
|
Women's 800 Team |
Final |
03:09.7 |
800 |
F |
Open |
Nagel, Heidi |
|
|
Women's 800 Team |
Final |
02:54.7 |
800 |
F |
Open |
Howard, Vonnie |
|
|
Total-Women's 800 |
|
06:04.4 |
|
|
|
3rd |
|
3 Lap Sprint – 2nd
Despite
running a very strong team we fell a few seconds short on this event. BAH won again.
|
3 Lap Sprint |
Final |
00:29.9 |
200 |
F |
Open |
Larzelere, Tara |
|
|
3 Lap Sprint |
Final |
00:23.7 |
200 |
M |
Open |
Sarpong,
Benjamin |
|
|
3 Lap Sprint |
Final |
00:52.6 |
400 |
M |
Open |
Girroir, Jared |
|
|
3 Lap Sprint |
Final |
00:50.5 |
400 |
M |
Open |
Grant, Chris |
|
|
Total-3 Lap Sprint |
|
02:36.6 |
|
|
|
2nd |
|
Men’s Mile Team – 3rd
Young male
milers and young female 800m runners are apparently an endangered species at
TI. We threw a couple of guys over
45 into an open age event. They got
some nice bronze medals for their effort.
BAH won this one and the team title was
starting to tilt in their favor.
They had (7) 1st places to our (4).
|
Men's Mile Team |
Final |
05:33.4 |
1600 |
M |
Open |
Tucker, Dave |
|
|
Men's Mile Team |
Final |
05:40.5 |
1600 |
M |
Open |
Wade, Dennis |
|
|
Total-Men's Mile |
drop |
11:13.9 |
|
|
|
3rd |
|
Everyone on the TI
team had been running very well, but BAH was running great and we were missing
a couple of top athletes. As I
looked around the stands I didn’t see worry – I saw
confidence. I didn’t see
concern – I saw focus. I don’t
know what happens with this group of people, but for the last 7 years they have
refused to quit and refused to lose.
Maybe it’s the way
4x200 Relay – 1st
This team
ran so well that Benjamin was coasting to save energy in case I needed him
later. He didn’t see
Kevin Little coming up on him, but the team lead was
too great even for a world champion to make up. We won by almost 3 seconds.
|
4 x 200 Relay |
Final |
00:25.7 |
200 |
M |
40 |
Elliott, Mike |
|
|
4 x 200 Relay |
Final |
00:28.5 |
200 |
M |
50 |
Jenkins, JJ |
|
|
4 x 200 Relay |
Final |
00:27.5 |
200 |
F |
Open |
Faluade,
Loretta |
|
|
4 x 200 Relay |
Final |
00:25.1 |
200 |
M |
Open |
Sarpong,
Benjamin |
|
|
Total-4 x 200 Relay |
|
01:46.8 |
|
|
|
1st |
|
Seniors Relay – 1st
We are so
talented and deep in the older age groups that we would probably take 1st
and 2nd if they let us enter two teams. Tony had just been inducted into the
USCAA Hall of Fame and he kicked it off and the team never looked back.
|
Senior's Relay |
Final |
00:30.7 |
200 |
M |
60 |
Deatherage,
Tony |
|
|
Senior's Relay |
Final |
01:04.0 |
400 |
M |
50 |
Bosshart, Pat |
|
|
Senior's Relay |
Final |
00:34.8 |
200 |
F |
60 |
Walker, Sheila |
|
|
Senior's Relay |
Final |
01:44.4 |
600 |
M |
50 |
McGehee, John |
|
|
Senior's Relay |
Final |
01:03.0 |
400 |
M |
50 |
Haschke,
Russell |
|
|
Total-Senior's Relay |
|
04:56.9 |
|
|
|
1st |
|
Women’s Relay – 2nd
Robin Toliver stepped up a few weeks ago and ran a couple of 800m
legs to try and give us a chance here. This was probably the most
exciting finish I’ve seen in a long time. UNUM was out in front of us and Robin
and Claire kept it close. Mariquita
got the baton for the final 400m run and was about 5 seconds back. She made up a little ground in the first
200m, but then put it in high gear.
The UNUM runner could hear the crowd and feel the pressure. Mariquita kept gaining and the UNUM girl
fought toward the finish. In the
end we fell short by 0.26 seconds – but what an inspiring performance
from Mariquita – and by Robin to get her in position.
|
Women's Relay |
Final |
02:52.7 |
800 |
F |
40 |
Toliver,
Robin |
|
|
Women's Relay |
Final |
01:13.9 |
400 |
F |
Open |
Schoene,
Claire |
|
|
Women's Relay |
Final |
01:08.5 |
400 |
F |
Open |
Gordon, Mariquita |
|
|
Total-Women's Relay |
|
05:15.1 |
|
|
|
2nd |
|
Submaster Sprint Relay – 1st
Juanita DeLoach came out to the track this year and at age 37 ran
the first 200m sprint of her life.
She had 3 previous runs before this final, but blasted out of the blocks
for a personal best 29.9 to get this team rolling. Todd put Steven, who was coming off an
early season major hamstring injury, right in position. Steven ran great to set Luke up for the
final charge. Luke won going away
and we had pulled into a tie with BAH for the team title with 7 victories
each.
|
Submasters
Sprint |
Final |
00:29.9 |
200 |
F |
30 |
DeLoach,
Juanita |
|
|
Submasters
Sprint |
Final |
00:25.4 |
200 |
M |
35 |
Fortenberry,
Todd |
|
|
Submasters
Sprint |
Final |
00:54.4 |
400 |
M |
35 |
Boedeker, Steven |
|
|
Submasters
Sprint |
Final |
02:08.0 |
800 |
M |
35 |
Luo,
Luke |
|
|
Total-Submast
Sprint |
|
03:57.7 |
|
|
|
1st |
|
Though we
had tied BAH, the jumps and throws were still going and BAH had won both those
events the previous year. We had
only 4 track events remaining and needed to win 3 of the 4 to secure the
victory.
Presidents Relay – 1st
I really
appreciate all the VP’s who have taken time to participate over the
years. Most have busy travel
schedules, but manage to fit the meet in and contribute. This year they did it again with a
strong victory.
|
Presidents Relay |
Final |
00:30.1 |
200 |
M/F |
30 |
Gordon, Mariquita |
|
Presidents Relay |
Final |
01:06.5 |
400 |
M/F |
30 |
Stork, Hans |
|
Presidents Relay |
Final |
02:39.6 |
800 |
M/F |
30 |
Bosshart, Pat |
|
Total-Presidents Relay |
|
04:16.2 |
|
|
|
1st |
With three events remaining
we had to try and win two. I felt
comfortable with the Master’s Team, but unsure about the other two.
Pyramid Relay – 2nd
We still
had a strong Pyramid team, but the young middle distance folks from BAH were
too strong. But it really got
interesting when Robin and the runner from UNUM took the baton together in the final
lap. It looked like the UNUM runner
cut Robin off on the first turn and they were toe to toe. Robin made a daring move and passed the
UNUM runner on the inside coming out of the final turn and beat her down the
stretch for the Silver. It was
exciting.
|
Pyramid Relay |
Final |
01:14.4 |
400 |
F |
Open |
Schoene,
Claire |
|
|
Pyramid Relay |
Final |
02:09.3 |
800 |
M |
Open |
Luo,
Luke |
|
|
Pyramid Relay |
Final |
03:37.8 |
1200 |
M |
Open |
Thelen, Brian |
|
|
Pyramid Relay |
Final |
02:16.7 |
800 |
M |
Open |
Heap, Ken |
|
|
Pyramid Relay |
Final |
01:07.5 |
400 |
F |
Open |
Toliver,
Robin |
|
|
Total-Pyramid Relay |
|
10:25.7 |
|
|
|
2nd |
|
Master’s Relay – 1st
Like the
seniors, we are very strong in this event.
We won by over 30 seconds and we could have fielded an even stronger
team if I wasn’t using a number of the masters in open age events. Mary DeLaCruz,
wife of Joe, ran under the spouse rule this year and bagged a gold medal for
her excellent effort. Not bad for
someone with about 3 months of track experience.
|
Masters Relay |
Final |
02:19.3 |
800 |
M |
50 |
Iles, Robert |
|
|
Masters Relay |
Final |
00:57.7 |
400 |
M |
40 |
Lewis, Stacy |
|
|
Masters Relay |
Final |
02:22.2 |
800 |
M |
40 |
Johnson, Mark |
|
|
Masters Relay |
Final |
00:32.7 |
200 |
F |
40 |
DeLaCruz,
Mary |
|
|
Masters Relay |
Final |
00:26.0 |
200 |
M |
40 |
Wight, Randy |
|
|
Total-Masters Relay |
|
06:37.9 |
|
|
|
1st |
|
Team Jump – 3rd
Team Throw – 3rd
The throw
results came in and stunningly UNUM won both events. We were close in the jumps and a bit
back in the throws. This was after
some last minute changes to the throw team. I can’t say enough about a guy
like Charles who will run, jump, or throw to try and help the team. A team player on a
team that really knows the meaning of the word.
|
2006 Event |
Fin/ Pre |
06 Result |
Dist |
Sex |
Age |
06 Name |
Pl/Wava |
|
Team Jump (High) |
Final |
5'10" |
HJ |
M |
29 |
|
760 |
|
Team Jump (High) |
Final |
5'0" |
HJ |
M |
36 |
Hutchinson, Charles |
722 |
|
Team Jump (Long) |
Final |
21'0.5" |
LJ |
M |
29 |
|
721 |
|
Team Jump (Long) |
Final |
15'7.75" |
LJ |
M |
36 |
Hutchinson, Charles |
603 |
|
Total-Team Jump |
|
2806 |
|
|
|
3rd |
|
|
Team Throw Discus |
Final |
83'5" |
Disc |
M |
36 |
Hutchinson, Charles |
385 |
|
Team Throw Discus |
Final |
83'9" |
Disc |
M |
49 |
Tolsma,
Chuck |
433 |
|
Team Throw Shotput |
Final |
28'6" |
Shot |
M |
36 |
Hutchinson, Charles |
469 |
|
Team Throw Shotput |
Final |
29'1.75" |
Shot |
M |
49 |
Tolsma,
Chuck |
591 |
|
Total-Team Throw |
|
1878 |
|
|
|
3rd |
|
The 1st place
scores stood at (9) for TI and (8) for BAH with one event remaining. As best I could tell,
if BAH won we would be in a deadlock for the title. If we won, it was ours. The sprint relay is always interesting
with 6 runners and 5 handoffs.
The gun
went off and so did Mariquita.
She blasted out of the blocks and handed off to Loretta. Both were running their third final, but
dug deep and put us in great position.
Jared showed us that we made the right move putting him in as he blasted
a great 400m. Chris Grant, at
age 37, ran a sub 50 400m to get us way out front. Joe and Ben ran like the champions they
are and carried the team title around the final lap and across the finish. We did it again.
Sprint Relay – 1st
|
Sprint Relay |
Final |
00:28.6 |
200 |
F |
30 |
Gordon, Mariquita |
|
|
Sprint Relay |
Final |
00:27.8 |
200 |
F |
Open |
Faluade,
Loretta |
|
|
Sprint Relay |
Final |
00:52.9 |
400 |
M |
Open |
Girroir, Jared |
|
|
Sprint Relay |
Final |
00:49.6 |
400 |
M |
Open |
Grant, Chris |
|
|
Sprint Relay |
Final |
00:25.7 |
200 |
M |
40 |
DeLaCruz,
Joe |
|
|
Sprint Relay |