Shemonia Makes Team USA for Jr. Pan American Games

2013 USA OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS 

Drake Stadium | Des Moines, IA

June 19-23, 2013

 

 

Scott City, Missouri native Brandon Shemonia competed in the USA Junior Championships in Des Moines, IA on June 20th with an opportunity to earn a place on Team USA's Junior National team.

 

Shemonia, who currently attends and competes for Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinios had previously qualified for the Junior National 10,000m race based on his 5th place finish in the 2013 Missouri Valley Conference meet.  He ran a PR of 30:37 for the distance at that meet.  His 10K time was well under the Junior World qualifying standard of 31:00 and the USTAF Jr National meet qualifying time of 32:45. 

10,000 Meter field takes the track.

The field of 21 competitors lined up on the blue track at beautiful Drake Stadium for the 9:00 pm start on Friday night June 20th. The day had been very warm and the temperature at race time was a nasty 87 degrees. 8 of the 21 competitors in the field had previously achieved the Junior World standard of 31:00. This time would prove to be valuable as the race progressed.

 



Underway at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa.

Shemonia was the second fastest qualifier of 8 competitors with qualifying Jr World 10,000 meter track times and he tucked behind Matt McClintock of Purdue University as the race began.  McClintock's strong, consistent quarter splits enabled him to begin separating himself from the lead group of 5 as they neared the 3.5 mile mark of the race.  Lennon from Syracuse University, Shemonia, McCabe from UCLA and Norris from Akron University followed but began losing ground as the lead pack all moved through the 4 mile mark of the race with a sub-5 min mile split.

Shemonia and Purdue's Matt McClintock prepare to move on Akron's Trevor Norris
with sixteen laps remaining.

Syracuse University's Daniel Lennon and Shemonia solidify their positions
in the final laps.

McClintock would slowly pull away from both Lennon and Shemonia for the win with a very good time of 31:14 when factoring in the hot, humid race conditions.  Lennon finished second in the race wih a time of 31:35 followed by Shemonia in 32:15, Norris in 32:27, McCabe in 32:27 and Schneider of the University of Missouri in the 6th position with a finishing time of 32:46.

Shemonia's mile splits during the race were as follows:  5:06/5:09/5:08... through the 5K mark at 16:04/mile 4 = 4:58/5:21/5:19/ and last quarter mile in 1:13. 

His 5K splits during the race were 16:04/16:11. 

Shemonia will next compete in Medellin, Colombia in August as a representative of team USA's 19-under track and field contingent.  Brandon is looking forward to competing and is humbled by the opportunity given to him.   Shemonia would also like to thank his collegiate XC and track coach Matt Sparks for his expertise as he continues his running career.

Shemonia is the son of Toni and Kevin Hammes of Scott City, Missouri and the late Tom Shemonia.

Team USA's Brandon Shemonia

 

 



2013 Furry 5K Run/Walk

Cape Girardeau, MO -- June 15, 2013 (Results @ Cape Road Runners:  http://www.caperoadrunners.org/results.htm )

 

 

June 15th was a beautiful day for the 5th annual Furry 5K Run/Walk.  Race Director Sandy Duncan once again provided a great course set-up for the event.  Missouri Running Company opened their doors early and Bryan Kelpe and his crew again provided course marshals and set up the Cape Road Runner finish chute for the participants. 

It was definitely a day for the dogs!  Well over 50 people brought their pets out to provide a great atmosphere for the race and Busch Pet Supply provided the dogs with water and other amenities before, during and after the race. 

The course was challenging but once the participants climbed the first mile's three hills through the residential area the remaining portion of the race flattened out nicely for a fast finish.

The runners and walkers were able to view their one mile split as well as their elapsed finishing time thanks to the RoadRunner's timing clock.  Many people came out to support the cause and provided needed encouragement to both the runners/walkers as well as the stars of the day "the dogs".

Overall winners of the 5K run were Laura Sheridan and Kevin Hammes.

 

--KHammes

OVERALL AND AGE GROUP WINNERS
MALE OVERALL: Kevin Hammes (18:04)			FEMALE OVERALL: Laura Sheridan (20:49)
01-19	Brock Kasten (18:42)		01-19	Lily Schell (31:07)
20-24	Dane Davis (30:57)		20-24	Whitney Tankersley (27:15)
25-29	Eric Daume (24:10)		25-29	Kate Wayman (23:56)
30-34	Ross McFerron (19:02)		30-34	Holly Dirnberger (27:20)
35-39	Andy Johnson (18:28)		35-39	Deanna Lemings (32:02)
40-44	Paul Schell (19:11)		40-44	Chellie Jannin (23:14)
45-49	Gene Magnus (20:36)		45-49	Evy McKeever (29:44)
50-54	Paul Blaylock (24:54)		50-54	Suzanne Garoian (26:08)
55-59	Gregory Harrison (25:35)		55-59	Joyce Hunter (21:22)
60-64	Mitch Gerber (23:59)		60-99	Linda Null (32:26)

Two-Peat: Zoey shatters her own course record by 0:57 seconds to claim Overall Dog.

Overall Winner: Kevin Hammes (photo by Marcy Ambler).

Female Overall: Laura Sheridan

 

Second Overall:  Andy Johnson's smart pacing through the hills sets up a fast finish
and second overall placing.

 

Female Second Overall Chellie Jannin hits the trail with Cadence.  In pursuit is
Female Third Overall Kate Wayman (photo by Marcy Ambler).

 

 

35th Annual Dogwood-Azalea Festival 5K

Charleston, MO -- April 21, 2012 (Results @ Fleet Feet St. Louis: http://www.ffstl2.com/races/dogwood-azaela/2013-overall.htm )

Charleston, Missouri again welcomed over 240 runners to the 2013 Azalea 5K race. Rolwing Park was packed with vendors and food stands as the runners and spectators were treated to a fantastic Spring day.   Fleet Feet Timing out of St. Louis once again provided the race timing for this certified 5K course.




The race got off to a quick start and the leading pack of runners went through the first mile split at just below 5:30/mile pace; A timing clock at the One Mile mark gives the runners a good visual of their pace in the early part of the race. As runners moved west toward Main Street the front pack began to slowly become stretched out.

This course has mile markers at the 1/2/3 mile sections and, as the runners travelled down the final 900m of Commercial Street toward the finish chute, the many spectators were very supportive and loud. This helped all of the runners to finish strong and three runners finished the race in 18-flat or better.

The day belonged to the Master's competitors as the "Old Men" garnered 4 of the top 5 finishing times. Bryan Kelpe was the lone sub-Masters runner breaking into the top 5 finishers. Even coming into the race dinged up a bit, Bryan runs a solid 17:52 and places second overall. He has been in the top 3 of this race many times and is considered one of the premier ultramarathon competitors in the Midwest region. He and his wife Kim own and operate the Missouri Running Company in Cape Girardeau and are frontline supporters of all running events and activities in the Cape Girardeau region. Their support and generosity is greatly appreciated by the entire running and multisport community.

 

Overall Winner: Kevin Hammes.



Chase pack working for position near first mile split: Chris Cone (4th OA), Steve Lovell (3rd OA),
Bryan Kelpe (2nd OA), and Kevin Bramlett (5th OA). 

The top three women finished the course with sub-23 min times; Jessie Duenne topped the field with an impressive finish time of 22:11 followed by Brandi Parkinson and Madison Huffman.

Female 2nd Overall: Brandi Parkinson.

From the young winners such as Nathan Phelps and Leilani Smith to the seasoned veterans like Ron Ruminer and Peggy Griggs, the 2013 version of the Dogwood Azalea 5K was a smashing success. This race is the oldest race event in Southeast Missouri and one I strongly recommend everyone give a try!

Special thanks to Robert Hearnes and the entire Charleston Police Department for providing a safe course for all the runners and walkers. Their tireless efforts are greatly appreciated by all the competitors and their families!

--KHammes

MALE / FEMALE TOP 5
	NAME	(AGE)	TIME			NAME	(AGE)	TIME
1.	Kevin Hammes	(47)	17:26		1.	Jessie Duenne	(25)	22:11
2.	Bryan Kelpe	(35)	17:55		2.	Brandi Parkinson	(30)	22:53
3.	Steve Lovell	(43)	18:00		3.	Madison Huffman	(15)	22:59
4.	Chris Cone	(47)	18:21		4.	Marissa Jones	(14)	23:02
5.	Kevin Bramlett	(51)	18:28		5.	Laura Logan	(35)	23:52

OVERALL AND AGE GROUP WINNERS
MALE OVERALL: Kevin Hammes			FEMALE OVERALL: Jessie Duenne
01-09	Nathan Phelps		01-09	Leilani Smith
10-14	Brett Johnson		10-14	Marissa Jones
15-19	Resse Porter		15-19	Madison Huffman
20-24	Ruben Chavez		20-24	Taylor Duenne
25-29	Frankie Salinas		25-29	Jenny Aloisio
30-34	Brian Agee		30-34	Brandi Parkinson
35-39	Bryan Kelpe		35-39	Laura Logan
40-44	Steve Lovell		40-44	Christi Johnson
45-49	Chris Cone		45-49	Melanie Marshall-Fraga
50-54	Kevin Bramlett		50-54	Elaina Boehme
55-59	Denny Koonce		55-59	Mary Jane Whitehead
60-64	Wayne Corse		60-64
65-69	Lewis Liveberry		65-69	Michal Sue Burlison
70-79	Ron Ruminer		70-79	Peggy Griggs
80-99	Bill Burlison		80-99



Wayne Corse

2013 appears to be the "end of an era" so to speak.  This year's race is anticipated to be Wayne Corse's final year as Race Director.  Under Wayne's direction, year in and year out, The Dogwood-Azalea 5K has been the area's prototype for road races.  The list of what is "right" about this event is lenghty:  The course is USATF certified, chip timing, inexpensive entry fee, running lanes blocked to traffic with uniformed police at intersections, festival atmosphere with spectators all along the route, and the classic long-sleeve race tee-shirt which changes only in color each year.

 

In addition to all things conspicuous, Wayne's work behind the scenes is just as tireless.  What is most noteworthy is his promotion of running to the area's youth and his efforts to get as many first time and novice teen (and younger) runners on the starting line each year.  His success was evident as sixty of this year's 241 finishers were age 19 or younger.

 

An avid long-time runner himself, Wayne's running resume' is one to envy.  A review of Missouri's State Road Racing Records will find Wayne's name listed twice among the fastest all-time age group 5Ks:  17:29 at age 44 in 1994 and 19:25 at age 50 in 2000.  His acheviements have not been limited to middle distance.  An accomplished marathoner for many years, Wayne recently posted a 3:52:59 at The Boston Marathon in 2010 at age 60.

 

As part of the annual Charleston-Sikeston high school football pre-game buildup (the oldest rivalry in Southeast Missouri), it is tradition for the visiting town to run the game ball to the host's hometown.  For many years, Wayne was a part of the Charleston contingent.

 

"The Conversation"

I first met Wayne at the 2008 Sikeston Bootheel Rodeo Run.  Wayne approached me after we had crossed the finish line, introduced himself, and congratulated me on my race.  Later, after we had caught our breath, he began asking me about my running.  I was brand new to all this (only my third race) and was shocked someone who appeared to be a regular at these 5Ks would be interested in anything a newbie was doing or had to say.  It would be that conversation that started to shape my attitude, outlook, and enjoyment of running and road racing.

Wayne informed me that morning of "the runner's high" (you mean people actually enjoy total exhaustion and oxygen debt?).  He strongly suggested that I ditch the Nike Geriatric Mall Walkers; they would give me shin splints (spot on with that one, bought my first pair of running shoes the following week).  Although I was 47 years old and brand new to running, I could still expect to improve for the next seven years (not too many sports offered that incentive).  Considering my 21:53 time today, I had the potential to run 5Ks in under 20:00 minutes (now he's just making stuff up, there is no way any old man like me could ever do that).  They have a race at Charleston each year in April, I should come down and run it (did it in 2009, 2010, 2011...will be there every year as long as I can run, walk, or crawl).

 

Those words stuck.  Over the next few weeks and months, running evolved from a chore and a hobby to a lifestyle.  That potential sub-20 5K became a full-fledged quest.  Ironically, the break through day would come one year later at the 2009 Bootheel Rodeo Run.  Wayne was there again at the finish line and Traci was able to capture the moment.

 

For everything you have done to promote running in Southeast Missouri, and for all the encouragement you have given me through the years...THANKS WAYNE!

 

--KBramlett

2009 Sikeston Bootheel Rodeo Run Finish Line:  First sub-20 5K.