Carolinas Track and Field Club

The Carolinas Track & Field Club, headquartered in Charlotte North Carolina, has membership across North and South Carolina and competes under USA Track & Field at the masters level. Masters track & field is for ages 30 and up, with competition in five-year brackets (30-34, 35-39, 40-44, etc.). The Club has members competing in age groups from 30-34 to 70-74, with recent membership consisting of 6 women and 60 men. The full schedule of track and field events recognized by USATF are included in the competition. Event distances, hurdle heights and spacing, and implement weights vary by age bracket according to USATF specifications. The Club membership fee for 2008 is $20 per family. The membership includes all skill levels from beginner to elite. Many members are returning to the sport after a long absence. Some members are in serious training programs for national competition, and some are just out for fun and to enjoy the fellowship and fresh air.

In August 2006 the Club hosted the 2006 USATF National Outdoor Masters Track and Field Championship at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte track. Gordon Edwards, former Club President and Coach, served as Meet Director. A large number of the Club members participated in the championships, winning 14 individual and 3 relay gold medals, 10 individual and 2 relay silver medals, and 15 individual and 2 relay bronze medals. 39 Club members placed in the top six in at least one event. The Club place 4th overall with a total of 327 points, with the women placing 2nd with 138 points, and the men placing 3rd with 189 points.

The Club practices at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte track on Saturdays from 9-12 a.m. Some members also train at the track on weekday evenings. Many members train individually and attend the meets that we host.

The Club hosts two or three USATF sanctioned masters track and field competitions annually. These are held at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte track or the Johnson C. Smith University track, both in Charlotte, North Carolina. Many members travel to USATF meets in the southeast as well as to the USATF indoor and outdoor national masters championships. Refer to the "Calendar of Events" for upcoming meets and other events.

If you have questions, contact Sam Hall, (704) 707-5566 / ssh200meterman@ctc.net).

The Carolinas Track &Field Club, along with the Mecklenburg County Department of Parks and Recreation, hosted the 7th Annual Carolinas Masters Invitational on April 19, 2008 at the Irwin Belk Track facility at the Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte North Carolina. 75 competitors from seven states entered and 63 competed, ranging in age up to M78 Lawrence Greco and M76 John Schreiber, both of whom competed in the 100m and 200m events. Highlights of the meet were: Bill Halverson (M51) clearing 14’5” (4.40m) in the pole vault, which is far above the All-American standard of 3.55m and an age-graded performance of 91.93%. Marino Drake (M40) cleared 6’0” (1.82m) in the high jump and above the All-American standard of 1.76m. Leo Sanders (M57) ran a sizzling All-American time of 25.82 in the 200m. Michael Jones (M48) bested the All-American standard in the 110 m hurdles with a time of 17.79 seconds. Bill Gramley (M72) exceeded the All-American standard in the discus with a throw of 35.26 feet. See the complete results in the “Meet Results” section.

Bill Gramley and Jim Russ Win Gold at USATF Indoor Masters Championships in Boston

CT&FC members Bill Gramley (M70) and Jim Russ (M50) won gold medals at the USATF 2008 Indoor Masters Track & Field Championships held in Boston March 28-30. Bill won double gold in the weight throw (14.33m) and the superweight throw (8.60m). Jim won the indoor pentathlon (3704 pts) and also placed second in the pole vault (3.60m) and fourth in the 60 meter hurdles. Also placing for CT&FC were Wayne Fisher (M50) fifth in the 60m dash, and Gregg Swindlehurst (M50) sixth in the 60m dash and sixth in the 400m. CT&FC placed in a tie for 26th place out of 87 clubs with 37 points. Next year the indoor championships will be held in Landover MD.

CT&FC was represented at the 2008 USATF Masters Outdoor Championships in Spokane by Bill Halverson, Jamieson Wells, Stefan Waltermann, Glenn Sasser and Chris Sarsony. We have two national champions and one silver medalist! In the team standings CT&FC finished in a tie for 60th place out of 124 teams with 14 points. Chris Sarsony (M40) defended his 2007 national championship in the pentathlon with a score of 2658 points! Chris placed first in the 200m, the 1500m, and the discus on his way to victory. Chris also finished 12th in the discus event. Chris lives in Apex. Glenn Sasser (M65) won the shot put with a throw of 13.55m (44-05.50 feet)! Glenn recently joined CT&FC to start competing in masters track & field and all he did was to go out and win the national championship. He lives in Wrightsville Beach. Bill Halverson (M50) won the silver medal in the pole vault with a mark of 4.25m! Bill is a nationally recognized elite vaulter and posts excellent marks year in and year out. Bill lives in Charlotte. Jamie Wells (M50) placed fourth in the pentathlon with a score of 2655 points. Jamie lives in Charlotte. Stefan Walterman (M55) placed fifth in the pentathlon with a score of 2656 points. Stefan also finished 6th in the discus and 8th in the javelin. Stefan lives in Hickory.