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Ft. Edmonton Highland Gathering Results for July 12, 2008
The Scoop!
I gotta say that going into this weekend, I was nervous. I mean Ellerslie was sloppy enough and the rain didn't seem to interested in letting up as Saturday crawled forward. But Environment Canada swore up and down it was going to be beautiful and sure enough, morning came in and the sky was blue and the sun was hot. I mean the ground was soaked but you work with what you've got. The folks at Ft.Ed had done some upkeep on the field and the grass was up a bit more than most years. Good deal. With our intrepid 14 athletes, we got things started around 10-ish because we knew we could fire through it. The boys were butting heads and trading barbs early and that really set the tone for the day among the athletes. Ft.Ed is more than a little stone-centric but it gets Matty out in force. With that being said and an already gathering crowd, we kicked it in with the 23# braemar stone.
In what would turn out to be his last Am performance, Slick Willie Burnett went up first and put out the early mark to beat for the whole field at 36'. He'd later goon that up to 37'3" and that, incidentally, was the #2 throw for the entire field, ams and open alike. That left the other Ams with a bit of a dent to work toward. Wes was next up with a 24'8" push that stuck as his best and snagged him #2 spot in the Ams. Paul would get edged out of 3rd by just 4" when newcomer Kevin Green used his brute force and ignorance to grab 23'5" to Paul's 23'1". Joe still needs to figure out that his legs exist and can be used during throwing so his shoulder managed him a 18'7".
The masters have been a solid staple this year and today would prove no different. Mikey Gilpin once again was coming off a 24 hour shift but figured since he was up already, he might as well throw. His first push would be his best at 24'8", which got him the nod over Aaron's 23' and Terry's 21'8". But master's front runner Bob Brown was feelin snappy and saucy and banged off a monster 28'8" for top spot in his favorite class.
In the open class, we pretty much know who's going to win the stones and today was no different. Before we get to that, though, the rest of us get to throw. Joey Taylor has been a solid enemy of the stones for a long time but today something clicked as he managed to nail 29'8" on his third which has to be a braemar PR for Joey. It still only snagged him 5th, though. Jimmy Garrick returned from parts unknown to throw with us and he still didn't entirely forget how to throw. Standing stones anyway as he edged Joey out by hitting 30' even. I got some snap under me and grabbed a 31'6" and 3rd. This event never really treats me too well. Davey also subscribes to the brute force and ignorance method and it works out well for him as he snagged 32'9" in his first shot. Well, guess who really won the event. Yeah, yeah. It was the boy. Matty had the event won after his first push but his third was the best at 39'5". He took extras (he took a LOT of extras all day) and knocked that up to 40'. For those not up on it, that's about 10" below the Canadian record. Yet ANOTHER Canadian record.
Hey look! ANOTHER rock! Only this time we actually threw a 20.2# open stone. Despite the fact that it's THE STONE IN CANADA, this was the first time we'd ever tried it out. Seemed like a fun thing to do. Joey K got it over 20' with 21'1" on his second and 5th spot in the Ams. I believe Paul stood for his first and then tripped over or out of that little painted area we keep on the ground. That's not allowed so only his first did. 23'6". I think I mentioned to him that he braemared a heavier rock about 5" less than that. And now I mentioned it again ;) Wes was still mincing a bit due to the back injury but he shoved enough to grab 3rd spot with 26'7". Kevin got a lot of coaching in and out of the trig and he had enough physical skill and strength to add a bit of a shuffle and grab 2nd with 26'9". Wilson put up two very good glides before he got kind of cheesed off and braemared it out. 41'6" and his best attempt. Oy. I just keep wondering where it would have gone if he caught a piece of that in the glide.
Aaron and Terry switched positions on the "lighter" stone with Aaron grabbing 4th with 26'6" and Terry shoulder-snapping out a 28' shot on his third to take 3rd in Masters. Mikey grabbed a good push on his second to snag 29'3" and 2nd. Bob Brown? Win an event? Noooooooo. 32'6" and the win. That's our Bobby. One of these days I'm going to convince him to stop eating bread and drinking beer for a week and he'll drop to 199 and then he can go record chasing.
Jimmy had a bit of Paul's affliction only managing to edge out his braemar score with a 31'10". Joey actually looked like things were coming together by his third throw and he managed a very respectable 33'2" on his 3rd. He's not just a pinup boy, apparently. Big Davey was having some trajectory problems so he stalled out at 34'11" but it was enough for 3rd. I got a little bit of my second and hit 35'5" but I have all sorts of work ahead of me according to Matt. And then there was Matt. He was going for it on this one. 47'1" was the mark to beat and he wanted it. After a foul on the first push (that we measured at 45+), he took a standing 43'7" to win the event and guarantee more attempts. Third competition throw was another foul out the side. So into extras we go. Another full spin and another hop out the side. Now he was getting cheesed because he was also missing his power position. So the second extra throw comes up and Matty really dials this one in straight down the trig. Big pop and right from the way it snapped out of his hand you knew it was a flier. And damn, was it ever. 49'10". We measured that thing 3 times and even busted out a metal tape to make sure it was as legit as we could get it. 49'10". 2'9" further than the previous Canadian record. Psychotic. Apparently the furthest heavy stone throw in the world to date. He's global now.
We finally decided to throw an event that wasn't a rock and picked the 56 to further punish everyone for showing up. It's a horrible way to learn about the games but Kevin stepped up and managed to foul on his first one but not entirely fall on his head so we call that a victory. He managed a 15' single spin and pulled up the rear for the Ams. Joey K finally added a bit more speed on his 3rd shot and 17' was his reward for that. Paul looked awesome on his second attempt and crushed out 21'11" for a monster PR and 3rd spot. Wes also hopped aboard the PR train, geeked up back and all, and nailed out 25'8". Wilson has long hated the HW but today he actually made a show of it and pulled a HUGE 26'11" PR for him to take first yet again.
The 42 is like sweet, sweet candy for everybody but only the masters are throwing it currently and they didn't disappoint. Aaron needs some forward drive but he still managed what I believe was a PR at 28'. Mike stumbled a bit early but his second attempt was money with yet another PR at 32'11". Mr. Hunt got an absolutely beautiful lift on his second as well that put him out at 34'4" which was a season's best by better than a foot I believe. Bob was a little off the pace he enjoys early on, managing "only" 37'8" to win the event but he took himself some extras and crushed out 39' yet again. As soon as he cuts out beer and bread for a week, we'll get him under 200# and he can start gunning for the world record.
This stupid thing felt heavy today and it was a rude welcome back after a year off to Jim. Still, as detrained as he was he managed a 27'7". Joey edged him out with a pretty looking 27'11" that didn't carry nearly as far as it looked. 31'2" was the best I could manage and I think it was almost a season's best, so that's kinda sad. Dave had slightly better luck than I did despite looking like an unfolding lawnchair during his spins and grabbed second with 32'7". Matty finally got the money of his back on this one and used his legs to knock off 36'10" for a big season's best.
More weightery continued as we decided to just go right into the light as we were all standing around being impressed with Bobby anyway. Once we get big Joe to stop pulling the weight over his shoulder, that baby is going to sail. As it stands, he still managed 30'4" for what I think was a PR. The LW treated newcomer Kevin much better and he got 34'11" off a single spin with a good pull at the end. 3rd place was a bit of a jump as Paul tried out the light weight for accuracy, nailing 42' twice. Wes was not to be denied as he caught the thing on his third throw and 50'2.5" was the name of the game. And then again with Slick Willie! Long known for his struggles with the weights, he must have learned something somewhere as he nailed a 55'10.5" for top spot again.
Aaron had a bit of trouble staying inside the painted lines for his first two. Maybe it's the advanced age. Or utter lack of practice. Could go either way. He eked out a 36'8" on his third though. After that, the Masters kind of lit it up. Things were sailing and Terry had some awesome lift and carry on his throws which ended in a best of 49'4" for a huge seasons best. Mike was a little off for his first two then remembered the drive for the trig and wouldn't you know it, 49'8"! But this was still the Bob Brown show and he came out of his first spin looking beautiful and drove it up and out for a monster 59'3" and a lifetime PR. His other two were both over 55', but that one had the sizzle on it. 60 should fall this year.
As soon as Bobby tossed out that monster, some of us in the open class made it a goal just to beat him. Jimmy fell a bit shy with a respectable enough 58'1" for 5th. 4th came from me with a season's best of 62'2.5" but far under where I need to be. Joey kept the PR day alive with a big lift and a sailing 62'7". As soon as we get him to keep his speed AND lift it, he's over 65'. Dave had to sacrifice some skin to get the job done but he extended enough on his third to go 63'4" and move himself up 2 spots. And then there was Matt. The instant he let it go, we all knew it was going somewhere. And go it did. 76'5.5" and a 3 or 4' PR later, it landed hard. He tried extras after the comp but couldn't extend that thing. Huge pull.
Going into the hammer, we shoved the crowd around a little to take them out of harm's way but it didn't matter as the guys were putting them straight down the line anyway. But safety first. Kevin's first time with the hammer was much like most of ours: slow and awkward but he still cleared 60' first time out with 60'4" so that's pretty reasonable. Joe managed a PR with a bit more snapp at the end going out at 63'1". Actually, all 3 of his were over 61', so that's a nice development there. He's also sneaking up on big brother Paul who still snubbed him at 66'9" but the gap's closing. Wes widened that mess back up with his opening 82' even but noone was ready for Wilson's FIFTH PR at a monster 98'8". He was in fantastic throwing shape all day.
The Masters were a little under the Am peak but the average was a little higher. Aaron got things started with a 75'10" and was solidly trumped by Terry's 80'2.5" third toss. Gilpin had one of those glimmer moments where you remember what it's supposed to feel like and lobbed his first one out to 87' even to snag 2nd. Double B continued a remarkably solid day with a final snap of 92'5" for the win. I keep telling him that Bob Brown, <200# World Champ has a nice ring to it.
I think it was right about this time that Bobby, in his infinite cruelty commented "Are you a mime?" when I busted out the muscle shirt. Thanks, Bob.
The Open class put on a bit of a display for this.Well, outside of Jimmy and his preternatural hatred of the hammer that snagged him 84'5.5" for 5th. And me? I managed 107'2.5" for another season's best and what'd it get me? 4th. Dave cranked out 110'7" on his first throw like it was his job and it actually had him the lead for the first round. It would only net him 3rd when all was said and done though. Brosef Taylor. Firefighter. Mr. April. Fine Arts graduate. And monster hammer thrower. His second throw was a thing of beauty and it corked out for a monster 114'4" PR and prompted me to yell at Matty "You're no Joseph Taylor!" after Matty's 113'7.5" SECOND throw. And then there was his THIRD throw. Man, did he EVER get a piece of that one. 125'4". 3' PR. In running shoes. I gotta cheese him off more often. He throws better then.
The cabers weren't exactly blowing the crowd away except for the usual suspects. You know...the masters. Aaron managed to do a very nice pick, run and pop for a 12:30 and 3rd spot there. Terry was just slightly off the noon mark with his only turn which got him 11:55. Bob had already closed the door on his first one with a solid snap that earned him 12:00 so the 10:30 and 12:30 were just icing on the cake. The 20'5.5" and only 88# caber proved to be a bit more than the Open class had until Matt really put his hips into it and knocked over a 2:00 much to the delight of our crowd.
Did I mention the crowd yet? Solid, solid people all day. One of the best we've ever had at the park and we really appreciated the noise they made and support they gave. Makes for a good day.
The WOB held no real surprises for anyone, except for maybe Wilson and Mike. Most of the Ams cleared 10' and couldn't quite muscle it over 11'. 12' came and went without incident. But wait! What was this? Wilson was still in. Up and over first shot, in fact. 13' saw Joey nail it in one, me and Dave take 2 and even Wilson nail it on attempt #2! 2' PR. Just like that. Terry, Bob and Mike had no problems with 13' with the 42 so up the bar went to 14'. 14' stopped pretty much all of us. Except big Mike Gilpin who snapped the 42# up over 14'. He's the other guy I want to have cut back on beer so he can make the 200# weight limit for Masters. Oh and Matty DEIGNED to come in at 14'. Mike took some reasonable shots at 14'6" but it was not to be that day. Matty, meanwhile went straight to 16' and one shotted that. 16'6" took 3 attempts but he made it. And then you could see he was finally tired. Long day, hot sun, lots of extra attempts (he threw 2 competitions worth, I swear.) but still the crowd cheered up on and he took 2 REALLY close shots at 17'1" for a PR but it wasn't to be.
The final bit of stupidity was, of course, the famed Ft. Ed Stone. Keep in mind that it's the heat of the day and we've blazed through 7 other events in about 4.5 hours and NOW we're tossing this goofy 98# rock. And counting it for points no less. Let's just keep it short and sweet and say that although Wilson, Bob and Doherty won in their respective classes, noone really put out anything monstrous on it. But we DID keep making fun of each other and that's what really matters.
The winners in each class laid a beating to the rest of the field with Wilson and Matty both with the clean sweep and 8 points apiece and Bobby getting 9.5 for not winning the WOB. Wes, Mike and Dave took second spots respectively with their consistency in all events and the rest of us battled for the leftovers.
6 weeks until the next one so it's back to drills and unlearning bad habits for a while for the final push of the season.
2008 Gallery
2008 Video
Results
| Masters Class |
| Athlete | Braemar Stone(23#) | Open Stone(20.2#) | 42# WFD | 28# WFD | 16#
Hammer | 16'4" 80#
Caber | 42# WOB | Ft.Ed Stone(98.1#) | Points |
| Bob Brown | 28'8" | 32'6" | 39' | 59'3" | 92'5" | 12:00 | 13' | 10'6" | 8 |
| Mike Gilpin | 24'8" | 29'3" | 32'11" | 49'8" | 87' | NT | 14' | 9'5" | 19 |
| Terry Hunt | 21'8" | 28' | 34'4" | 49'4" | 80'2.5" | 12:05 | 13' | 9'5" | 23.5 |
| Aaron Andronyk | 23' | 26'6" | 28'8" | 36'8" | 75'10" | 12:30 | 12' | 9'11" | 28 |
| Amateur Class |
| Athlete | Braemar Stone(23#) | Open Stone(20.2#) | 42# WFD | 28# WFD | 16#
Hammer | 16'4" 80#
Caber | 42# WOB | Ft.Ed Stone(98.1#) | Points |
| Wilson Barnett | 37'3" | 41'6" | 26'11" | 55'10.5" | 98'8" | NT | 13' | 12' | 8 |
| Wes Radstaak | 24'8" | 27' | 25'8" | 50'2.5" | 82' | NT | 10' | 10'7" | 20.5 |
| Paul Kuefler | 23'1" | 23'6" | 21'11" | 42' | 66'9" | NT | 10' | 10'3" | 28.5 |
| Joe Kuefler | 18'7" | 21'1" | 17' | 30'4" | 63'1" | NT | 10' | 11' | 31.5 |
| Kevin Green | 23'5" | 26'9" | 15' | 34'11" | 60'4" | NT | NH | 10'8" | 31.5 |
| Open Class |
| Athlete | Braemar Stone(23#) | Open Stone(20.2#) | 42# WFD | 28# WFD | 16#
Hammer | 16'4" 80#
Caber | 42# WOB | Ft.Ed Stone(98.1#) | Points |
| Matt Doherty | 40' | 49'10" | 36'10" | 76'5.5" | 125'4" | 2:00 | 16'6" | 14'1" | 8 |
| Dave Laidlaw | 32'9" | 34'11" | 32'7" | 63'5" | 110'7" | NT | 13' | 11'9" | 21 |
| Sean Langford | 31'6" | 35'5" | 31'2" | 62'2.5" | 107'2.5" | NT | 13' | 11'2" | 27 |
| Joe Taylor | 29'8" | 33'2" | 27'11" | 62'7" | 114'4" | NT | 13' | 10'11" | 28.5 |
| Jim Garrick | 30' | 31'10" | 27'7" | 58'1" | 84'5.5" | NT | NH | 11'9" | 35.5 |
Past Results: