240 Top USA Athletes Including 22 Defending World Champions Set to Compete at World Masters Championships in Brazil October 16-27; Hope for Masters Track & Field World Titles and Medals

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 240 Top USA masters track and field athletes, including 22 defending world champions, will be competing at the World Masters Association Championships in Porto Alegre, Brazil October 16-27, and many hope to win masters track & field world titles and medals. The USA athletes will be competing in 698 individual events, plus relays.   

Defending Champions, according to Mary Trotto, Chair of the Masters Active Athletes Committee, include:

FOR THE MEN:
Charlie Allie M65, Pittsburgh, PA -- Charlie set WR and AR's in the 200 and 400 this year.  Defending World Champion (2012) 400m
Bruce McBarnette M55, Sterling, VA --  Bruce recently set a WR in the high jump
Bob Lida M75, Wichita, KS -- Current world record holder and IAAF Master Athlete of the Year 2012. Defending World Champion (2012) 200m, 400m
Anton Dussett M35, Peoria, IL -- Defending WORLD CHAMPION (2012) 200, 400m
Eric Prince M45, Chicago, IL --  Defending World Champion (2011)400m
Neil Fitzgerald M45, Bronx, NY -- Defending World Champion (2011) 800m
Anselm Lebourne M50, Maplewood, NJ --  Defending World Champion (2011) 800, 1500m
Gary Patton M65, Rock Rapids, IA --  Defending World Champion (2011) 800, 1500m
Maurice McDonald M70, Chapel Hill, NC --  Defending World Champion (2011) 800m
Thad Wilson M60, Oxnard, CA  Defending World Champion (2011) Short and Long Hurdles
Darnell Gatling M50, Bronx, NY -- Defending World Champion (2011) Long Hurdles
William Harvey M65, Glenbrook, NY --  Defending World Champion (2011) Shot Put
Cameron Bolles M45, Santa Rosa, CA -  Defending World Champion (2011) Discus
Ralph Fruguglietti M50, Bakersfield, CA --  Defending World Champion (2011) Discus
Jeferson Souza M35, Miami, FL --  Defending World Champion (2011) Decathlon

FOR THE WOMEN:
Jeanne Daprano W75, Fayetteville, GA --  Current World Record Holder and USATF MASTER ATHLETE OF THE YEAR 2012 and' defending World Champion (2011) 800, 1500m
Phil Rashker W65, Marietta, GA --  Current American record holder and defending  World Champion (2011) Heptathlon, Pole Vault; most decorated masters athlete in history, two-time Sullivan Award Finalist
Joy Upshaw W50, Lafayette, CA --  Current American record holder and defending World Champion (2011) Short Hurdles
Thelma Wilson W80, New York City, NY -- Defending World Champion (2011) 1500m
Carol Finsrud W55, Lockhard, TX --  World Record holder and defending World Champion (2011) Discus
Christel Donley W75, Colorado Springs, CO --  Defending World Champion (2011) High Jump
Johnnye Valien W85, Los Angeles, CA -- Current World Record Holder Short Hurdles, PV and Pent. and defending World Champion (2011) High Jump
Other notables who set records this year but are not defending world champions; they are 2012 national champions:
Lorraine Jasper W50 from Birchrunville PA competing in 800m, 1500m
Coreen Steinbach W50 from Pomprey NY competing in 800, 1500m

Also of note: USA's Rex Harvey, a veteran top official and world masters track expert and former Vice President of WMA, is a candidate for President of WMA. Rex lost by one vote —a single vote -- in the last election for WMA President.

A full list of USA competitors and their events may be found at: http://www.usatfmasters.org/content/2013/2013WMAbrazilUSAentrants.pdf

For more information, contact Bob Weiner, USATF Masters Media Committee Chair, 301-283-0821 or cell 202-306-1200, [email protected], and Richard Mann 301-283-0821

SOURCE USATF Masters Media Committee and Robert Weiner Associates