Walt Murphy News and Results Service ((email protected))
This day in the field of athletics – November 8
1887— Edward Carter won the fourth of his five US/AU X-Country titles at New City’s Mott Haven Section (1885-1888,1892). Only Don Lash (7) and Pat Porter (8) have won more titles. Carter actually won two “National” titles in 1887. From Wikipedia:
The first events to claim the National Championship title were the American Amateur Individual Cross Country Championships, organized by the New York Athletic Club (NYAC) in Mott Haven, Bronx, beginning in 1883. Both organizations held championships in 1887. Coincidentally, both won the Edward C. The cards. The NCCA held its last championship in 1892 at Morris Park Racecourse. The NYAC revived the series in 1897 also at Morris Park. (There were no championships in 1893-1896)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA_Cross_Country_Championships
Some History: https://rrunnin234.com/2020/12/09/some-history-of-the-usa-cross-country-championships-1883-2020/
1968— It took 8 years, but Olga Connolly finally reclaimed the American discus record from Earlene Brown with her throw of 178-5 (54.38) in Long Beach, California. Connolly, who won a gold medal at the 1956 Olympics while competing for her native Czechoslovakia (as Olga Fikotova) before marrying American hammer thrower Harold Connolly, threw 169-9 3/8 (51.75) in 1958, only to lose the record to Brown (5.69) in 1960. year
https://www.kcet.org/history-society/olga-connolly-an-amazing-olympic-and-american-love-story
1970— China’s Nie Chih-Chin cleared 7:6 (2.29) in Shanshan to break the world record of 7-5 ¾ (2.28) held by Valery Brummel of the Soviet Union (and Russia).
China was not a member of the IAAF at the time and the record was never submitted for ratification. “He missed his first attempt, so the crowd (of 80,000) started chanting one of Chairman Mao’s quotes. “Be determined, do not be afraid of sacrifice, overcome all obstacles until the final victory.” Chairman Mao, I need a fire escape to scale them.” (Beginning Promotion of IAAF World Records)
Born on this day*
Bridget Frank 38 (1987) 2010 NCAA Champion – Steeplechase (Penn State)
Finalist of the 2012 Olympic Games (12th);
Disappointed with him 6th– 2016 US Olympic Trials Spot Finished (His Last Serious Throw)
Won $30,000 for winning the 2015 Warrior Dash World Championship (in the mud)
PBs4:12.96 (2012), 4:37.95 (2012), 9:10.04 (2009), 9:29.53sc (2010)
WikiBio:: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridget_Franek
Emotional interview (post-2016 OT).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5SSMGgsJbs
Warrior Dash:
An interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fu6d23Q3eTo
Blanka Vlasic – Croatia 42 (1983) One of the all-time greats in the women’s high jump
2-time world champion — (2007, 2009/silver medalist-2011, 2015);
2-time world champion (2008, 2010/silver medalist-2006, bronze-2004)
Two-time Olympic Games medalist — 2008 (silver), 2016 (bronze); He was injured in 2012
Ranked in the world’s top 10 14 times from 2001-2016 (No. 1 four times from 2007-2010)
Competed in the first of his 4 Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000 when he was only 16 years old (qual.round).
Participated in 7 outdoor and 6 indoor world championships
Known to please the crowd with his festive dances after a significant layoff
Height:6′-4 ¼” (1.94)
PBs: 6-9i (2.06/2.10/=#3 All-Time World Indoor-Indoor), 6-9 ¾ (2.08/2009/=#3 AT-Indoor/Outdoor)
born H.J:
http://www.athleticsweekly.com/featured/blanka-vlasic-i-feel-that-i-was-born-to-do-high-jump-45101
2010 Article: www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/aug/01/blanka-vasic-high-jump-european-championships
2013 Article: https://www.worldathletics.org/news/feature/blanka-vlasic-i-havent-forgotten-how-to-jump
WikiBio:: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blanka_Vlašić
Top 10 of all time: https://trackandfieldnews.com/tfn-lists/world-all-time-list-women/
Ranking tables: https://trackandfieldnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/14-wHJRank.pdf
IAAF Profile: https://www.worldathletics.org/athletes/croatia/blanka-vlasic-14263716
Videos:
2007 WC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TADJh_DZOfE
2009 W.C: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQTDHP9wfdc
Anthony “Fam” Famiglietti 47 (1978) 2-time USA Olympian – Steelchase (2004-1St tour, 2008-13th)
Led the 2008 Olympic final to finish 13thth place
2-time US champion (2002, 2008 (Olympic trials)); 2003 Pan American Games bronze medalist
All-American in Tennessee (NCAA-1999/5th2000/4:th)
PBs3:35.83 (’06), 3:55.71 (’06), 7:41.27 (’07), 13:11.93 (’07), 27:37.74 (’06), 8:17.34 (’08), 63:18 (’10)
WikiBio:: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Famiglietti
2008 AND Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hk_TgtS2qHY
Sub-4 With the dog. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article226203915.html
Nicole Teter-Down’s 52 (1973) 2002 US Champion – 800m; 3-time US champion (2002, 2003, 2008);
1991 US Junior Champion; 2 times US Olympian – 2004 (semi-final), 2008 (1)St round-dnf)
Set an American indoor record of 1:58.71 to win the 2002 USA title at NY’s Armory. The record remained
until 2019, when Ajie Wilson ran 1:58.60. (Now #4 All Time US)
(Wilson-1:58.27 and Charlene Lipsey-1:58.64 ran faster than Teter’s AR at the 2017 Millrose Games, but
(Wilson was later DQ’d for a minor doping violation and Lipsey was not tested at the meet).
Leith Bloomer won the 1991 US Junior title but didn’t become a force on the US scene until 2001, when he
started trainingFarm teamand coach Frank Galliano.
#1 in the US in 2002 (#3-World)
PBs1:58.71i (2002), 1:57.97 (2002), 4:04.19 (2002)
Currently a massage therapist… Married to Andy Downin, 2001 US 1500m Champion
https://www.runnersworld.com/races-places/a20795762/a-brief-chat-with-nicole-teter/
https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/104964
https://www.facebook.com/nicoledownin/
Ranking tables: https://trackandfieldnews.com/index.php/rankings
Kadri “Rocket” Ismail 56 (1969) 1988 Top 110 Hour Steeplechase Prep Rating in USA (Meyers, Wilkes-Barre, PA)
1988 Golden West Champion; HS best-13.71
1991 IC4A Champion-110h (Syracuse); 1992 IC4A Indoor Champion-55h;
All-American in Track (1991 NCAA-5th) and football (kick returner) at Syracuse.
Wide receiver/blocker in the NFL for 10 years
PBs13.73/13.60 w (1991); Brother of Raghib “Rocket” Ismail
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qadry_Ismail
NFL: https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/I/IsmaQa00.htm
Dead
Rudolf “Rudy” Harbig – Germany 30 (1913-March 5, 1944)
Former world record holder — 400 m (46.0/1941), 800 m (1:46.6/1939), 1000 m (2:21.5/1941),
4×800 (7:30.4/1941)
When he ran his 1:46.6 (on the 500m track), he smashed the previous WR of 1:48.4 set by Team England.
Sidney Wooderson 1938
Eliminated in 1St 800 lap at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, but won a bronze medal in the 4×400 relay.
He was killed during the Second World War.
https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/70264
http://www.racingpast.ca/john_contents.php?id=125
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolf_Harbig
Career statistics: http://thegreatdistancerunners.de/RudolfHarbig.html
Fred Newhouse 76 (1948-January 20, 2025) 1976 Olympic gold medalist — 4×400 (silver medalist in the 400)
Herman Fraser, Benny Brown, Fred Newhouse, Maxie Parks
Finished closing 2th Cuban Alberto Junatorena (44.26-44.40) in the 400 final. Those two would later become
In the years 1970-1976, he was ranked among the top-10 in the world 6 times (1976 No. 2 (No. 1-USA))
Two-time NAIA champion — 440 (1969, 1970/Prairie View)
Bettered the 400m/440t world record twice with 46.0 and 45.6 on the (very) big track.
Houston Horoscope 1970
Remained active in sports as an official
PB:44.40 (1976)
Attended Prairie View A&M University in Texas and the University of Washington in Seattle, earning degrees
Electrical Engineering and Masters in International Business, respectively. Undergraduate and
in graduate school, served two years in the United States Army.
Prairie View “Legend” (Facebook) WikiBio:: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Newhouse
Syracuse Senior Deputy Athletic Director Herman Frazier shared this about his Olympic teammate.
the time of his death.
“Fred was diagnosed with brain cancer less than a year ago, and he recovered enough to work within the U.S.
Championships and Olympic trials as a video referee. He was very active in USA Track as a referee
many NCAA championships as well. Fred also attended the Olympics last summer. Fred as an engineer
he was a brilliant individual by trade and owned a cattle ranch outside of Houston. Fred was heavily involved in that
USOC Advisory Board and even jump started my career in leadership positions with the USOC and USA Track. Dr.
Leroy Walker, Dr. Evie Dennis, Fred and I all moved up the USOC ranks. He was my teammate, but more than that
The important thing is that he was my friend and mentor.”
Mike Pascuzzo 63 (1961-March 15, 2025)
A tireless promoter of the sport through Vertical Adventures, who staged clinics representing world-class
athletes who served as coaches. He also staged the Beach Vault in South Jersey every summer.
Coached at Lenape (NJ) HS, his alma mater. With the help of his close friend Dwight Stones, he would post
Durathon surface for high jump events at Madison Square Garden and the Meadowlands.
2-time Junior College Champion (1981,1982-Hagerstown, MD)
Finished his college career at Maryland… 2-time ACC Champion (1983, 1984)
Scooze had an overall best 7-5 ¼ (2.27) and a high school best 6-11 (2.11)
https://sjtrackblog.com/2025/03/17/remembering-south-jersey-track-legend-mike-pascuzzo/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31WPSL1tmmQ
https://www.mountlaurelfuneralhome.com/memorials/michael-pascuzzo/5572701/index.php
