The fact that various REAL track athletes can compete in the Open category at world class level into their mid-30s shows there shouldn't be an under-35 category at Masters.
Shelly Ann Fraser-Price Allyson Felix Justin Gatlin
Arguably, they shouldn't have added the 35-39 cat, we're at a point where 35 years old can still win Diamond League events. Bring back the 40yo cutoff. And quit contriving these bogus categories like 25-29 at Masters meets for poser wannabes like Tyreek Hill. He's welcome to compete with his peers at normal Open meets.
Yeah I thought it was a misprint 25yr old 'masters' really ?
The problem is, unlike post-collegiate distance runners who have opportunities to continue racing each other every weekend after graduation, post-collegiate sprinters have only a few such opportunities... at best. The downside is that Masters Champs becomes more of an "all-comers" meet, at least for the "younger" categories. As long as people are realistic (i.e. Tyreek hopefully won't go around boasting about being a "U.S. Champion sprinter"), it's a good thing overall.
Track and field has always been an inclusive sport (hence javelin, pole vault and steeplechase all under the same "umbrella"), and this is just a continuation of such.
The fact that this race even took place is a MF joke.
I remember in my late 30s getting prepared to turn 40 so that I could finally compete in Masters T&F. There was no age group under 40.
Then, they added a 35-39 division. Lame, but ok, whatever.
Now they have a 25-29 age group at the MASTERS indoor champs? I'm sorry, I don't care if having an NFL guy in his prime "brings attention to the sport" he's racing against a bunch of other scrubs who would never get past quarters at any legit meet for 25-29 year olds. If Tyreek is legit fast (and he kind of is), then race the Open cat at a legit meet with Under-30s who are still competing.
Masters T&F is horribly cheapened by having Under-35 anything. This is bullshnizzle.
Yeah when people are setting world records in their late 30s and plenty of athletes are posting world class times at 35+, putting a 25-year-old athlete into an “old person” category is ridiculous. Most 25-year-olds haven’t even hit their prime level yet.
The problem is, unlike post-collegiate distance runners who have opportunities to continue racing each other every weekend after graduation, post-collegiate sprinters have only a few such opportunities... at best.
What are you talking about? If he's fast enough then he can run in college invitationals. And most large cities have all-comer track during the summer. There are plenty of opportunities for someone with his speed.
Total loser move of hill to show up to this meet. You’re worth 40mill, you get paid to play football and train to run fast. go find a real meet to race at
respect to DK metcalf going to a real event last year. Ran well, took his loss with humility and I think gained a lot of respect in the process.
Right. I argue with these idiots all the time about fastest NFL players and there’s always guys who played like 3 snaps on the list... it’s like that doesn’t even qualify ...
Does Paul Swangaard announced the USATF Masters Champs?
Or was this a one-off?
It was a one-off. Literally he just took over the announcing (from remotely most likely), just for that one event and then it went right back to original announcer who was at the meet.
I found it totally disrespectful to the original announcer.
Dawg, seriously Darrell Green and Herschel Walker belong in the 'A' heat ... and you totally forgot about Renaldo Nehemiah. (BTW just cuz I'm promoting Herschel in this context doesn't mean I would want him in the US Senate.)
Dawg, seriously Darrell Green and Herschel Walker belong in the 'A' heat ... and you totally forgot about Renaldo Nehemiah. (BTW just cuz I'm promoting Herschel in this context doesn't mean I would want him in the US Senate.)