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The five entrants made Shore AC the best-represented club in the nation in this grueling
31.1-mile test of willpower and determination, efficiency and expert technique, staged over a loop course on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020 in this Southern California community. All five finished the race - directed by the celebrated Mr. Tracy Sundlun - wIth honor and distinction. The performances of all five, 3000 miles away from the club's East Coast base, brought immense pride to all their Shore AC teammates, who are well aware of the club's historic role of racewalking leadership over the past five and a half decades. Anthony J. "A.J." Gruttadauro, a recent graduate of West Virginia Tech, was first Shore ACwalker over the line, placing fourth in four hours, 42 minutes and 31 seconds. Immediately behind A.J. with a 4:47.00 clocking in the concurrently staged Women's USATF National Championship, was Shore AC teammate Erin Taylor-Taylor, second placer in the women's event. For the past half-decade, and more, Erin has been a ceaseless advocate for the staging of the 50K as a standard event for women - as well as men - in global and hemisphere championship meets. Her stirring efforts - surely helped along by attorney Paul DeMeester, led to the women's 50K being included in the World Championships of London (2017) and Doha (2019) but - most disppointingly - no success yet in getting the 50K onto the Tokyo/Sapporo program for August 2020. Placing sixth of the men in a gallant 5:02:01 was USAF Airman Michael Mannozzi of Shore AC. Hugely busy in his meteorolgical studies, the new airman has had little time to train properly. He nevertheless "hung in there" for a top-six finish. One place behind in seventh was Shore AC veteran Dave Talcott, whose 5:06:51 performance also won the Masters 55-59 divisional title. "Anchoring" the Shore AC delegation, with a 6:26:48 finish, was club veteran star Barry Blake, who set a personal 30K record en route. Now a retired engineer, Blake has found more training time, resulting in improving performances and technique at all distances from one mile up. Over-all winners were Andreas Gustafsson (4:12:11) for the men and Robyn Stevens (4:37:31) for the women. All these 50K people ask the rest of the track and field world to remember this: their event is nearly five miles further than the marathon distance of 26.2 miles. They are the grittiest of the gritty, the toughest-minded of all in their sport. --- By ELLIOTT DENMAN,
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As Shore AC "alumna" Ajee' Wilson was racing to the 11th - yes the 11th! - Senior
National title of her magnificent track career - and she's still just 25 years old - a parade of Shore AC Varsity Team athletes was doing big things at the USA National Indoor Track and Field Championships, the nationally-televised event (NBC and NBCSN) at the Albuquerque Convention Center on Friday-Saturday, Feb. 14 and 15. Ms. Wilson - the special pride of Neptune, NJ - and all of Shore AC, too - easily vanquished her top rivals in the women's 800-meter final in 2:01.98. Even in ABQ's 5,000-foot altitude, it seemed a breeze - a week after she'd lowered her American indoor record to 1:58.29 at the Armory in NYC at the 113th edition of the NYRR Millrose Games. Kaela Edwards was a not-close second in 2:02.41 and Monmouth University graduate Allie Wilson - the former Shore AC intern now running for the Atlanta Track Club - claimed third in 2:02.99, a major breakthrough into the National ranks. From 2,000 miles away, we again cheered the great high jumping of Shore AC Varsity Team star Amina Smith, the University of Maryland grad now training with SAC superb jumps mentor Mike Pascuzzo. Only American record-holder/ World Outdoor medalist Vashti Cunningham, the winner at 1.97 meters/ 6-5 1/2 could outleap our Amina, who went over the bar at 1.90 / 6-2 3/4 for yet another National medal in her great career. Shore AC veteran Brandon Roulhac once again proved he could triple jump with the very best as he came through with a 16.49/ 54-1 1/4 hop-step-jump to claim sixth place, just 0.62 back of winner Donald Scott. Placing ninth in the women 's 3000-meter racewalk at 15:03.53 was Shore AC stalwart Chelsea Conway. Making his debut as a Shore AC representative on the National scene was star shot putter Corey Martin, the former multi-IC4A champion for Monmouth University. In a brilliant competition that saw Olympic champion Ryan Crouser bomb it out to 22.60/ 74-1 3/4, number two mark on the all-time indoor list, Murphy ranked 15th on the star-studded list with a toss of 18.93 /62- 1 3/4, Also in the SP was SAC invitee Josh Awotunde, fifth-placer at 20.15-66-1 1/2. The women's weight throw saw UCLA junior Alyssa Wilson's big breakthrough, all the way up to second place with a superb throw of 22.80/ 74-9 3/4. The former Donovan Catholic HS of Toms River super star also placed 10th in the SP at 16.65- 54-7 1/2. Brianna Stratz, Allie Wilson's Monmouth U. teammate and still her teammate (with Atlanta Track Club) ran third in her 800 heat at 2:09.80 and did not advance. Indoor Nationals notes: This meet was held at Staten Island's Ocean Breeze in 2019 and was originally slated to return there in 2020, only to see it moved away - for reasons never fully announced - and off to New Mexico...And with no World Indoor Championships to aspire to - the World meet, booked for Nanjing, China, was cancelled after the Coronavirus outbreak - this became a major focus for many heading into the Olympic Year 2020 outdoor season.  Great news from Annapolis!!! An impressive performance by Andrew Ghizzone this past weekend. "It was very thrilling to see the 1,000 meter run," stated long time Shore AC member and grandpa, Bill Richardson! This was the event to put Andrew in 5th place overall after taking 2nd in pole vault to bring him form 10th to 7th and then with the 1,000 to 5th. Excellent job, Andrew!! Keep up the great work and thank you representing the club so well!!   Dear Shore AC Athletes: Your club whirled through the fabulous Ocean Breeze facility on Staten Island yesterday and piled up more points that there are grains of sand along the shore. OK, that’s a heap of hyperbole. We did, though, garner 26% of 1,796 points awarded in the meet. That towered over the second-place club’s 9% take. Shore AC men ruled the beach. Our 381 points far outstripped the 104 points accumulated by the second-place men’s squad. We employed a wide range of talent, from fresh-faced surfers to ancient mariners. A summary of individual and relay team accomplishments appears below. Meanwhile, a small contingent of Shore AC women created mighty waves. Their amazing 82 points notched third place within a tumultuous field of 14 clubs. You will find their shining accomplishments listed below as well. Congratulations to every one of our athletes who contributed! -Scott Linnell Team Captain, Shore AC LDR Progra USATF-NJ/NY Dual Meet Results: Individual here; club here. Notes:
Shore AC Men: Individual events: Name Age Event Time Points earned
TJ 8.02m 10
5000M 25:02.5 8 3000M 14:54.8 10
5000M 20:50.3 10
400M 1:09.5 10 LJ 4.08m 10
Shore AC Men: Relay events:
Shore AC Women: Individual events: Name Age Event Time Points earned
 Jess finished 1st in the 3K (ages 11-12)  LIlah Gordon came in 9th place in the 4K (ages 13-14)
 By FRANK HARRISON
CONGRATULATIONS to the SHORE AC! CONGRATULATIONS to ELLIOTT DENMAN! The highlight of my own career was wearing a Shore AC singlet in Los Angeles in 1984 when competing at the US Olympic Trials where I gave it a go to qualify for the US Team in the Decathlon. That effort fell short; however. But the sport of track and field propelled me through high school, through the University of Pennsylvania; took me all over the world, and directly led me to my wife (now of 34 years, and counting). It also provided me with the tools needed to become CEO of my company. Today, I enjoy volunteer coaching and giving back to the sport that has meant so much to me. So many wonderful experiences, and so many wonderful people! No politics or favoritism in making a team. Just a stopwatch or a tape measure in a sport where there’s a level of competition and an event for everyone, and one where personal records are as gratifying as anything else. What could possibly be better than that? Elliott Denman is the glue that keeps us all together. His legacy is unrivaled, and I consider myself extremely blessed to have come across him and, of course, his love for the Shore AC, arguably the greatest track club on the planet! Elliott, you’re the best! Thank you for your passion and for being the greatest ambassador the sport has ever known. Happy 85th - we wish you many more happy returns! - Frank and Beth Harrison  Ajeé Wilson en route last February to an American Indoor Record during the Jack & Lewis Rudin Women’s 800m at the 112th NYRR Millrose Games at The Armory. Photo by John Nepolitan NEW YORK, November 5, 2019 – The Armory Indoor Track & Field Camp takes place on November 16 at The Armory New Balance Track & Field Center and provides high school track & field athletes an experience of a lifetime. Track & field superstars Ajeé Wilson (current outdoor and indoor American record holder in the 800m), Sydney McLaughlin (at the age of 16 qualified for 2016 Olympics and is considered “face of USA Track & Field” as premier sprinter, hurdler), Drew Hunter (in 2016 at The Armory became national record holder in the high school indoor mile with a 3:58.25), Lawrence Johnson (American indoor record holder in pole vault, World Champion, Olympic silver medalist and 7-time U.S. champion) and others will join prominent coaches in the sport to offer high school students unsurpassed instruction. “I’m super excited to spend the day sharing my experiences and hearing about theirs,” Wilson said about her role being an instructor to high school track & field student-athletes. Other current track & field athlete who will be “coach for a day” at the upcoming Armory Indoor Track & Field camp include: Najee Glass (16-time NCAA All-American at the University of Florida); Athing Mu (current high school senior who broke the American 600m record at the 2019 USA Track & Field Indoor Championships with a 1:23.57); Strymar Livingston (in high school set indoor national records in both the 500m and 600m); Oliver Baker (11-time All-American at Stanford who just missed making the 2019 World Championship team in the 800m); Robin Reynolds (16-time All-American at the University of Florida); Thomas Johnson (noted New York High School champion in both long and triple jump and a 2-time state champion); Priscilla Frederick (competed in 2016 Olympics in the high jump and a silver medalist in the Pan American Games and 2-time All-American at St. John’s University); and Amina Smith (All-American at the University of Maryland in the high jump). They will join current award-winning coaches Lisa Morgan (current head track & field coach at Bloomfield College, N.J.); Andy Capellan (head track & field coach at New Rochelle High School); Dwayne Evans (track & field coach for Team Jamaica); Bart Sessa, (who from 1996-2006 guided the Syosset boys team to 10 consecutive Section 8 cross country championships); Dominic Zanot (track & field coach at Harrison High School); Scott Menin, (the current head throw coach for AOC, an AAU club team in Pennsylvania); Tim St. Lawrence, (Director of acclaimed Hudson Valley Flying Circus in Orange County); and Matt Ellis (owner of Primal Athlete Training Center and Elite Throws Coaching in Rhode Island). Last season, Wilson set the American indoor record in the 800m in 1:58.60 to win the Jack & Lewis Rudin Women’s 800m in the 112th NYRR Millrose Games at The Armory. In less than two weeks the New Jersey native will return to The Armory – her home away from home – this time as a top-flight track & field instructor. It’s not every day students have a teacher who happens to be an American record holder and Olympian while your classroom is The Armory, home to the “Fastest Track in the World.” Wilson recently took time off the track for an interview with The Armory. Following is a question and answer session with Ajeé Wilson: QUESTION: At what age did you know you could excel in track & field en route to a professional career, and how did you come to this conclusion? WILSON: “I started believing I could really excel in track the summer after my sophomore year, so at 16. I’d made my first national team and placed 5th at the World Junior Championships in Moncton, Canada that year. Up until this point, track was still very much a hobby – something I loved to do because it was fun, and I loved competing. At Worlds, I saw how different my peers were in comparison. I didn’t think I trained as hard, I wasn’t as disciplined, and I wasn’t as invested in what I was doing. I walked away thinking about how much better I’d be if I applied myself in the same ways they did. I wanted to come back in two years and win.” QUESTION: During the upcoming camp what will be the most important thing you can tell high school kids about being a success and at the same time keep their participation in track & field stress free, whether it’s simply in high school or perhaps beyond? WILSON: “I think the most important take away will be there’s no cookie cutter path to success, and more importantly it’s okay to fail along the way. For me, I have my parents to thank for the outlook I have on success in track, and in any aspect of my life really. Success in track drives me, but it doesn’t define me. Being ‘good at running’ isn’t my biggest strength/attribute. The greatest thing I must give/contribute to people and the world isn’t my talent on the track. Track is simply the medium through which I can show those things. Remembering that doesn’t make me any less committed to what I’m doing, but it helps me balance the stresses, ups, and downs that come with running.” QUESTION: When you were in high school, how much focus did you have on training, nutrition, maintaining a high academic standard and enjoying life as a teenager? WILSON: “When I was in high school, my academics were my top priority. When needed, I’d miss practices for studying for big tests or skip other extracurriculars for important school projects. As for track and training, I got more focused as I got older, but it was a slow process. My parents helped largely with helping that shift. I ate well when I was home but wasn’t as good as I am now at curbing my love of candy and other sweet treats. With training, I laugh looking back on how my mom would park across the street to make sure I was doing what I was supposed to at practices. Enjoying life without the tag of runner was just as important to me then as it is now. Balance is so important with anything you do in life, so I somehow always found time to hang out with friends, was in a handful of clubs, and work at some points.” QUESTION: What does it mean for you to come back to The Armory, where you’ve been so successful, and give advice to high school runners? WILSON: “It’s so special to come back to The Armory to give advice to high school students. For one, it doesn’t feel this long since I was in the same position. I remember college students coming back and talking to us in high school, and how it affected me. So, I’m excited to be in the similar position and hopefully have a similar impact.” QUESTION: Who was the person who gave you the best advice when you were in high school and what was that advice? And, was there a track & field athlete who you looked up to that gave you extra motivation? WILSON: “Hands down I’d say my mom gave me the best advice in high school, although I can’t really pinpoint exact words or anecdotes that stuck with me. Instead, I just remember how she made me feel. She advised/taught me that I could get what I wanted in life by figuring out how, and then being committed to getting to that goal. Cut and dry – no excuses. The saying `Where there’s a will, there’s a way’ I think captures the sentiment best. To this day, whenever I’m faced with a tough decision, conflict, or have a goal I want to attain I think `what’s the solution?’ I figure out the best way to get the outcome that I want, and then I commit. When you’re committed to the end goal, finding ways to overcome speed bumps or obstacles that come along the way is just a tad bit easier. There are many ways to get where you want to go. You just need to figure it out. “In high school, there were a handful of athletes I looked up to who inspired me. Many of whom were also in high school. I’d say I most looked up to Jillian Smith, who was an 800/miler from Southern regional though. She was the queen of the track when I first started high school, and I’d raced her a few times and admired how effortless it seemed to be for her. By my senior year, I wanted to be just as dominant in the state as she was.” QUESTION: What are your goals for 2020? WILSON: “I’m still working on my list of goals for 2020! Off season is coming to an end, so I’ve been thinking more and more about what I want to accomplish this year. On the track, my main goal is to be happy, healthy, and fast for 2020! Hopefully by the end of the season, that will involve being Olympic medalist (preferably gold). Off the track, I want to pick up a new hobby – I’m leaning towards learning how to sew!” To register and learn more about The Armory Indoor Track, please go to www.armorycamp.org. To see the full list of coaches and their bios for the 2019 Armory Indoor Track & Field camp, please go to www.armorycamp.org/coaches. Follow The Armory on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @armorynyc, or go to ArmoryTrack.com or Armory.NYC. About The Armory Foundation The Armory is a New York City non-profit institution, with the mission of "Keeping Kids on Track." Each season The Armory— the proud home of the NYRR Millrose Games — hosts more than 100 track & field meets and welcomes more than 220,000 athlete visits. Among its many youth sports and educational programs, including the acclaimed Armory College Prep program, The Armory runs the leading collegiate indoor track meet with the Dr. Sander Invitational, and hosts the largest high school indoor track meets with this year's 25th Hispanic Games, The New Balance Games, and the New Balance Nationals Indoors. The Armory also runs Columbia & NewYork – Presbyterian Indoor Marathon presented by New York Road Runners, which is the world’s largest indoor marathon relay. The Armory is also the home to the National Track & Field Hall of Fame and dozens of very large education-focused events. For more: Please visit Armory.NYC and ArmoryTrack.com.  Wayne baker has had the chance to put Johnny Hayes' medal into the hands of quite a few runners.11/13/2019 Dear Teammates and Friends:
With a history dating back to 1934, we are forever proud to be known as one of the longest-running clubs still actively promoting track and field, and total community participation in“the flagship sport of the Olympic Games,” in our nation. Shore AC has so many reasons to express its pride. It annually stages at least 50 events, ranging from the Jersey Shore Half-Marathon, to the New Jersey International Track and Field Meet, to the Asbury Sheehan 5K Classic, to the Asbury Park Polar Bear Races, to the classic summer-long Takanassee Lake Races, to its own series of all-comers track and field meets during the summer, to its pair of cross country series for adults and for youngsters in the fall, and lots more. These involve many thousands of participants, men and women, boys and girls, on all levels of talent and expertise. But that’s just part of the Shore AC story. When Eulace Peacock twice beat Jesse Owens in the 1935 National AAU Championships, he did it representing the Shore AC. When Shore AC member Barbara Friedrich set a national javelin record in 1967 it was, all at once, a best-ever for Senior women, Junior girls and high school athletes. When our men’s 4x400 team won in 3:03.64 at the 1990 Penn Relays, it was an all-time best for club teams at the famed Penn Carnival. When Eulace Peacock, John Borican and Maren Seidler were voted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame, they did so as proud Shore AC athletes. When now 10-time National champion, USA record-holder and Olympian Ajee’ Wilson ran some of her earliest races, they were in our Shore AC all-comers meets. And so – etc. etc. etc. - it has gone all these years. Elliott Denman’s own history also dates back to 1934. A 1956 USA Olympian in the 50K (31-mile) racewalk, he became a founding father of the “new” Shore AC in the early 1960s, starting with an historic organizational meeting at the Asbury Park YMCA (in the company of such charter members as Don Johnson, Sandy Kalb, Harry Nolan and Tom Bazley; along with Mr. Bill Dalton and Mr. George Slater), then helping guide the club to so many successes and major achievements over the years. And all the while with his parallel career as an award-winning Asbury Park Press sports writer and columnist who covered virtually every major event in the sports spectrum. And he’s still an active sports journalist all these years later. So many more marvelous and energetic people have “come aboard” in all the years since. All this being so, it’s time for us to celebrate with Elliott and his family, teammates and sports friends. “85” is thus the theme for our Gala Reunion and Birthday Party on Sunday, November 24, 2019, at McLoone’s Pier House, One Ocean Avenue, in Long Branch, NJ. This will be a very special event. Please join us !! Most sincerely, Walter MacGowan, President, Shore AC. |
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