Baird Wins Three Titles, Sets Pentathlon American Record at USATF Masters Outdoor Championships in California

Utah Results 

The 2024 USATF Masters Outdoor Track & Field Championships concluded on Sunday (21-July) in Sacramento, CA.

Nine (9) members of USATF Utah competed in the four-day competition with two athletes winning national titles and five others earning visits to the awards podium for finishing in the top-three in their events.

In March Marsha Baird won three national titles at the indoor championships in Chicago. In Sacramento, over the weekend she was able to once again win three titles in the women's 50-54 division as she won the 80m Hurdles (13.06), Javelin Throw (38.66m / 126-10), and Pentathlon (3960 pts.). Her score in the Pentathlon set a new American record; bettering the previous record set by masters hall of famer Phil Raschker in 2000 by 223 points.  She also earned a silver medal as she finished second in the Shot Put (12.17m / 39-11¼). Baird competed in the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games representing Trinidad and Tobago.

Joining Baird in winning a national championship title was Brent Potter. Potter won the Javelin Throw (43.64m / 143-02) in the men's 35-39 division.

I had an amazing time in Sacramento and loved the sportsmanship by all of the other competitors. I felt at ease and enjoyed hearing stories from the more experienced athletes and cannot wait to throw in the next event! - Brent Potter

Ben Finley earned a silver medal as he finished second in the men's 40-44 Long Jump with a leap of 6.03m (19-09½).

Winning bronze medals for their third place finishes were Jamie West (W40 80m Hurdles), Ralph Reiche (M85 Long Jump), Rod Thompson (M75 10,000m), and Shane Thompson (M40 Pentathlon). 

The complete USATF Utah Results Scoreboard can be found here.