Steinbach wins four national titles at masters championships in Iowa

Niagara resutls scoreboard

On Sunday (25-Jul) the USATF Masters Outdoor Championships concluded in Ames, Iowa. USATF Niagara was represented by five (5) athletes who competed in 11 events.  1051 athletes from 49 state competed during the four days of competition that began on Thursday (23-Jul),

Niagara members won five national titles and a total of six championship medals (for finishing in the top three in an event final).
 
The highlights of the meet for the Niagara members were the four national titles claimed by Coreen Steinbach (Pompey, NY) and the national title won by Mike Nier (Rochester, NY; Genesee Valley Harriers).

Steinbach, 70, won the W70-74 titles in the 200m (35.58, 87.52%), 400m (1:21.31; 88.55%), 800m (3:05.85; 95.91%), and 1500m (6:28.18; 95.55%).  

Nier, 56, won the M55-59 800m title running 2:18.73.  He then came back and earned a bronze medal for his third place finish in the 1500m running 4:42.79.

Picking up fourth place finishes were Robert Bland (M65 400m; 1:07.20); Dale Flanders (M55 5000m; 17:59.68), and Gary Crawford (M80 Weight Throw; 30-11).

IN THEIR WORDS - COREEN STEINBACH

The best part of competing in the 2021 USATF Masters Outdoor Championships was seeing all of the track & field friends I've missed over these many, many months of Covid restrictions and no racing. It's hard to believe but it's been two years since our last National Outdoor Meet which was also in Ames. 

You couldn't ask for a more efficiently administered meet; this was also true in '19. Everything was on time to the minute; the call room was streamlined and calm. Cold water, drinks and ice were always available. This is the first time we've had an online declaration procedure and we didn't even have to check in before our events. A soccer field next to the call tent was perfect for warming up. Even the bathrooms which (let's admit it, are super important!) were nearby and always clean. 

Hotels were close and convenient. 

USATF officials and the meet volunteers were wonderful. The Covid protocol was simple. We had to provide proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test the first day. We had to fill out a brief form and have temperature taken each day and were given a wristband to gain entry into the facility. Medals were available almost as soon as you were done competing! Efficiency all around. 

It was extremely hot and humid. It was 103° on the track during the 800 at noon on Saturday. We've had some heat acclimation in CNY so I felt ready for heat but this was pretty extreme. This made the work of the officials and photographers out there all day even more admirable. 

I was very happy with my races overall; the first big meet in my new age group. I ran the 400, 800 and 1500 as I usually do at Outdoors. This time I also ran the 200 for only the second time in a big competition (the last in '13??) and was stunned and thrilled to win it. It was so much fun because it was over SO fast!! Nothing like 800 or mile pain! I've had some serious injuries in the last few years including fracturing both feet in the same event in '19, so I am so very grateful to be running hard and back to competing.  

Ames was a fun, fantastic and memorable experience! 

​LOOKING AHEAD

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