July 23, 2021

Brown, Daley, Edwards win national titles at Masters Championships in Iowa

On Sunday (25-Jul) the USATF Masters Outdoor Championships concluded in Ames, Iowa. USATF New York was represented by 10 athletes who competed in 22 events. 1051 athletes from 49 state competed during the four days of competition that began on Thursday (23-Jul),

USATF New York members won four national titles and a total of 12 championship medals (for finishing in the top three in an event final).

The highlights of the meet for the New York members were Lisa Daley (Mount Vernon; Central Park TC - Tracksmith) claiming two national titles and Alston Brown (White Plains; Central Park TC - Tracksmith) and Lisa Edwards (Bronx) each winning a title and earning a total of three championship medals.

Daley, 51, a two-time USATF New York athlete of the year honoree, won the 80m hurdles and 300m hurdles in the 50-54 division. In the 80m hurdles she ran 13.87 (84.65%) to defeat Amy Haddad of California by .51 seconds. In the 300m hurdles she stopped the clock at 54.07 (85.09%) to win by over eight seconds. She has now won 25 USATF titles (indoor/outdor) in her career.

In Their Words - Lisa Daley

The National championship in Ames was very organized and well run. I have no complaints and am very grateful to the LOC for putting together great National championship in such a short time.

The last 18 months was challenging for everyone, and all I wanted to do was go out compete and reconnect with my Masters track pals that I had not seen in almost two years. While my competition times were not stellar and I did not always execute as planned, I am pleased with my performances and that I won two golds in my individual events.

Brown, 72, returned to competition earlier this year after a 11-year hiatus. And he returned in style to national competition with three performances over 90% on the age-grading tables in Ames. He won the M70-74 400m running 1:02.39 (98.18%), finished third in the 100m (13.94, 91.27%) and 200m (25.55, 92.98%).

Edwards, 43, competed in five events in Ames, earned the trifecta of medal colors as she won the 400m Hurdles (1:12:39, 81.42%), finished second in the 80m Hurdles (13.85, 83.11%), and finished third in the 400m (1:04.60, 83.86%). To continue the trend she finished fourth in the 100m (13.62, 83.44%) and 200m (28.32, 82.81%). Her mother, Sandra Edwards, helped continue the trend with fifth place finishes in the W70-74 Shot Put (18-4½) and Discus Throw (38-7).

While not wining a title, Peter Brady, 49, (Scarsdale; Central Park TC - Tracksmith) turned in some eye-popping performances in the M45-49 800m and 1500m. In both events he finished second to his cross Hudson River rival Mark Williams. In the 800m Brady ran 2:02.21 (94.33%) as Williams ran 1:59.42. In the 1500m he stopped the clock at 4:12.07 (92.60%). Williams ran 4:08.98 to claim the victory.

In Their Words - Peter Brady

I must admit that I am a little disappointed with my performance in Ames. I was training and racing very well, but I developed an injury about 3 weeks prior to the meet that prevented me from training properly in the weeks leading up to the race. That being said, injuries are something that masters runners have to deal with, so it's not an excuse. I have to give Mark (Williams) credit for racing incredibly well this past weekend. Believe it or not, this is the first time Mark has beaten me in the 800 at nationals. I beat Mark to win the event in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 (in 2017 we were in different age groups since I'm a year older than Mark). I knew it would be a tall order to beat Mark this year in the 800 because he was running really well and I wasn't quite at my best. But I was really surprised and impressed that he also beat me in the 1500. Prior to this meet, Mark hadn't run a fast 1500/mile in a few years, including this season, where I believe he ran 4:26 in his only other race. I thought if I pushed the pace Mark wouldn't have the endurance to stay with me in the 1500, but he stayed right behind me for 1350 meters and then pulled away from me over the last 150m. I just have to tip my cap to him for running so well on Sunday. I look forward to taking a little time off now to let this injury recover and then I will use my disappointment as motivation to come back strong during indoor track season, where the national meet is on my home turf at the Armory and I will be a newcomer to the M50 age group.

Joining Brady as a silver medalist was his Central Park TC teammate, Norman Goluskin, 82, who finished second in the M80-84 10000m running 1:04:24.47.

Click here to view the complete USATF New York results scoreboard from Ames.

LOOKING AHEAD

2022 USATF Masters Outdoor Championships (July 28-31; Lexington, KY)
2022 USATF Masters Indoor Championships (March 18-20; New York, NY)