BERNARD SOLOMON INVITATIONAL

April 14, 2007

It was a cold and windy day for a track meet and that might have been one reason for the small number of Mass Velocity sprinters in attendance. The strong and gusty winds were blowing right in our faces during the 100m but fortunately they shifted in the opposite direction during the 200m later in the day.

(L-R) Mike Needham, Tom Gillen, John Novak, Larry Libow, Tucker Taft (Terrence Haynes not in photo)

The meet management left a lot to be desired. For instance, in the 100m event Tom and Tuck were in heat 5 with some college kids and two empty lanes and John and Larry were by themselves in the next and final heat. To make matters worse, just as the last heat was about to start, the National Anthem was started (the longest version I've ever heard) and we had to wait in the cold until it was over before we got to run.

Anyway, here are some shots of us in the various events. The only thing it doesn't really give you is a feel for the cold and wind.

Terrence in the 10k - probably the only distance running wearing a speedsuit!

Here's Mike at the start of the 400m -

running on air ...


... and making a strong finish


Tucker at the finish of the 400m


John and Larry in that oddly empty 100m heat


Larry striking a running pose but actually standing still


Finally, in the 200m it's (L-R) John, Tucker and Tom rounding the curve


Tom and Tuck coming down the straightaway in what would be a nip-tuck finish

Not nearly as sunny and warm and well-attended as last year's Husky Invitational, but the $10 fee for all the events you can run is a deal. Perhaps next year the weather will be better and we can get a larger contingent of MVTC on the green track.

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