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Saline Celtic Festival and Masters World Championships
Saline, Michigan - July 12, 2008

Here's what some of the athletes said about the games:

Bill, thanks again for all your efforts in MWC this year. You and everyone involved did a great job. I hope to make it to Scotland next year, 
looks like it's going to be an incredible time. Tony Colbert

Dear Bill, Thank-you again for the opportunity to run the 2008 World Masters Tournament here in Saline Michigan.  The athletes were 
fantastic and we enjoyed them immensely.  We wish you and all the athletes continued success and good health.  Don Makins, AD Saline

Bill, I just wanted to say thank you.  I think you have some idea of the depth of how much this means to me.  I just want to thank you for providing the stage 
for the event.  It was a great game, very well organized and super people.  Thank you so much,  Myles Wetzel

I always enjoy seeing the guys  from  all over.  Saline does put on a nice festival .   Thank you for some very fond  memories that 
money can't buy.  Rick Dentry

Bill, thank you so much for a wonderfull first experience at the world championships. The competition was awesome, the judges were terrific, it was an outstanding 
educational experience for Highland Athletics and can,t wait for next year. This was definately a tribute to you and all you,ve done for the sport. thanks again
Chuck Livingston and Bob Vail "the New Yorkers"

Bill, Just a note to tell you that we are very pleased with the experience of hosting the MWC.  Pat Little, Festival Chairman

WOW! What a great job you and the Saline organization did to put on the best game I have ever seen.  I had a awesome day. I mean, I would have been happy to go home after getting the Hall of Fame plaque.  It occured to me late in the day as I was resting awaiting the last event to start, that I have come full circle.  My dream of having a MWC, helped start the ball rolling at Ft.Smith, and then I had to take my leave for a long, long time.  Then to see what you have accomplished with your web site and organizing so many aspects of the growth and credibility of Masters competition - I am just amazed.  As I sat there, I look around the field and what a spectacular sight that was.  I realized my dream had come true, and was far more than I had ever invisioned - thanks in very large part due to your tireless efforts. 
 
Also I was there to compete again and see so many old friends and begin new friendships with guys I had only read about - and greatly admired.  They were saying things like,"I have heard about you, and I am glad to finally meet you." etc.  Wow, that is humbleing.  I managed to win my class and I knew that for me I had finished what I had begun fifteen years ago, and IT WAS SWEET.  So I decided right then, as I was taking all that in, that I will not compete anymore.  There just is no reason for me to.  I have done it all and I have been greatly blessed by it all, all along the way.  The past fourteen months have been a celeration of renewal as I found happiness beyond measure. (nothing to do with religion)  However I am training a couple new very talented athletes (one is fifty) as they get ready for their first games in McFearson, KS in late September.  I will be there to help them through the day, and the younger of the two (twenty eight) will be wearing my kilt from now on.

Billy, just wanted to say a HUGE THANK YOU  for another great WMC.. this years events was just top notch.. I never heard a bad word all day or after from any of the athletes.  I don't know what we are going to do without you running all of this .. I think it will take at least 3 or more people to do the workload that you currently do. I had such a great time and the dinner the friday night was a blast and was entertaining to say the least sitting with Merl & Brian... I have some really interesting new stories.  It was nice to get to meet some of the guys I only know by name and meet some new women this year. All the volunteers, Judges, scorekeepers, AD's and everyone just made the day one to remember.  Us women really had a blast, & thanks again for the new division, we had a great day of throwing and singing & hanging out.  I had PR's in both Hammers (which are my worst events), so I was very excited to say the least..  Even the thunderstorm in the morning throwing Sheaf & Caber could not dampen our spirits.  So thanks a million for all you do for the Heavy Events & the Masters you are truly the "heart of the games".  I was talking with some of the Canadian boys and we are going to speak to the powers that be, for trying to get the 2010 in Nova Scotia... will keep you posted.  If not .. my vote is for Colorado (your home town).
Take care and hope to see you again this year.  Hugs to you & Linda and will talk soon Cheers from your favourite Canadian

However, it was a great festival and the people who did come had a great time.    The local papers were full of glowing articles after the festival - everyone thought the Highland Heavy Athletic events were wonderful - the fact that we had multiple venues going at the same time was really a hit.   I think we all learned a lot from having the Masters that we can apply to future festivals.  Pam Grosshans - Festival Committeewoman

Hey Billy, thanks so much!!!  I had a blast! even with the rain & humidity.  Everyone I talked to said it was awesome, even better than last years.  Having fresh fruit & veggies all day was a bonus & having more food in the afternoon was great. All the volunteers and markers judges just top notch to say the least... even Brian Oldsfield lol he was a blast told me it was not against the law to use my legs when I throw the Stone hahaha  nothing like having the best shot putter in the world tell what all the guys tell me haaha his stories at dinner were very interesting.    You really do such an excellent job at running the WMC I am worried that whomever takes over is going to have a very difficult time doing all that you do .   I hope next year in Scotland I can do even better... more PR's that makes me very happy, I figured by the time I retire I should have all the technique for throwing sorted out lol lol lol  Anyway hugs to you and Linda and hope to see you again soon cheers


40-49 Under 200#
Athlete Place Games
Points
Braemar
Stone

22lb
Open
Stone

16lb
Heavy
WFD
Light
WFD
Heavy
Hammer
Light
Hammer
Caber
18'x82#
Sheaf
16lb
WFH
Dist Dist Dist Dist Dist Dist Score Dist Dist
Doug Ballard 1 24 29'-2.5" 34'-10.5" 36'-5.5" 50'-0" 64'-10" 79'-2" 11:50  25'-0" 14'-0"
Kevin Rogers 1 24 28'-0.5" 34'-8" 33'-3" 48'-8" 73'-0" 98'-2" 85  25'-0" 13'-0"
Robert Henderson 3 32.5 26'-6.75" 35'-2.5" 32'-4" 49'-0.5" 65'-5" 85'-1" 12:00  22'-0" 12'-0"
Kevin Henderson 4 42 25'-9" 32'-5" 30'-6.75" 50'-3.5" 61'-3" 83'-2" 12:15  25'-0" 12'-0"
Tony Colbert 5 45 21'-10.5" 29'-7.5" 29'-5" 45'-1.5" 71'-7" 92'-0" 11:30  20'-0" 14'-0"
Kirk Taylor 6 54 29'-1.5" 34'-5.5" 26'-11" 44'-5.25" 72'-11" 89'-11" 60  20'-0"  
Tim Ross 7 61.5 24'-11" 30'-11" 26'-2.25" 37'-10.75" 69'-0" 91'-6" 70  20'-0" 10'-0"
Doug Mcdonald 8 65.5 23'-9" 27'-4" 29'-7.5" 46'-10.5" 57'-1" 75'-7.5" 75  20'-0" 12'-0"
Tom Kollars 9 73.5 22'-11.5" 29'-3" 26'-7" 39'-4.75" 55'-7" 69'-4" 60  22'-0" 12'-0"
Dave Carl 10 75.5 22'-1.5" 27'-5.5" 22'-3" 41'-2.5" 57'-2.5" 75'-11" 70  18'-0" 12'-0"
Michaell Wilkie 11 98 18'-5" 23'-5" 13'-6" 31'-3" 45'-9" 73'-5.5" 45  16'-0" 10'-0"
Christian Flanagan 12 106.5 17'-3.5" 20'-7.5" 17'-9.5" 30'-0.5" 33'-6.5" 59'-6" 40  16'-0"  
Notes: MASTERS 40-49 UNDER 200#. Ties for Masters World Championship have been left unbroken since 2005. This year we have co-champions.

50+ Under 200#
Athlete Place Games
Points
Braemar
Stone

22lb
Open
Stone

16lb
Heavy
WFD
Light
WFD
Heavy
Hammer
Light
Hammer
Caber
16'x90#
Sheaf
16lb
WFH
Dist Dist Dist Dist Dist Dist Score Dist Dist
Jim Spalding 1 10 28'-8" 36'-2" 38'-2" 56'-0" 71'-2" 90'-7" 9:45  22'-0" 15'-0"
Danny Ellis 2 19 24'-10.5" 29'-6.5" 32'-9" 46'-3.5" 71'-0.25" 86'-11" 85  24'-0" 12'-0"
Pat Parker 3 25 25'-6" 28'-10" 30'-2.5" 42'-9" 60'-11" 75'-11.5" 70  20'-0" 12'-0"
Notes: MEN'S 50+ UNDER 200# CLASS. Spalding wins his 5th World Championship, first in this class. Spalding also won the John Ross Combined Distance Trophy.
Records: Jim Spalding set 2 Masters World Records in this class: Heavy Wt for Distance and WOB.

Masters 40-44
Athlete Place Games
Points
Braemar
Stone

22lb
Open
Stone

16lb
Heavy
WFD
Light
WFD
Heavy
Hammer
Light
Hammer
Caber
19'x92#
Sheaf
16lb
WFH
Dist Dist Dist Dist Dist Dist Score Dist Dist
Dirk Bishop 1 16 34'-10" 42'-0.5" 48'-10" 70'-8" 99'-2.75" 118'-4" 12:00  26'-0" 17'-0"
Steiger Doug 2 36 31'-10" 38'-3.5" 42'-8" 62'-11.5" 86'-9" 107'-0" 12:00  24'-0" 16'-0"
Warren Trask 3 41.5 28'-8" 36'-5.75" 40'-9" 62'-7" 80'-2.5" 100'-11" 12:00  30'-0" 16'-0"
Rhett Bobzein 4 42.5 28'-10" 36'-2" 43'-7" 62'-7.75" 70'-2.25" 89'-6.5" 12:00  32'-0" 17'-0"
John Jay 5 51.5 31'-8.5" 38'-4.75" 38'-9.5" 54'-1" 83'-9.5" 101'-11" 9:30  22'-0" 17'-0"
John Vinzant 6 54.5 28'-8" 37'-8" 39'-10"   92'-3" 112'-1" 9:30  26'-0" 15'-0"
Mike Shea 7 71 27'-3" 32'-4.5" 39'-1.5" 60'-9" 79'-4" 95'-4" 75  26'-0" 14'-0"
Kengo Kubota 8 72 32'-0.5" 40'-8" 35'-0.5"   73'-3" 100'-10" 30  28'-0" 13'-0"
Ken Crum 9 78 28'-7" 35'-10.75" 39'-10.5" 52'-1" 71'-2.25" 91'-1" 75  20'-0" 15'-0"
Geir Standal - nor 10 87 27'-2" 30'-5" 32'-4.5" 43'-10.25" 65'-6.5" 88'-6" 12:15  24'-0" 17'-0"
John Shingler 11 88 26'-3.5" 32'-7.75" 35'-9.5" 55'-10" 71'-0" 91'-5" 80    14'-0"
Anthony Lordi - swiz 12 91 24'-10" 32'-4" 34'-4" 49'-11" 72'-2.5" 89'-2" 85  22'-0" 14'-0"
Steven Jystad 13 105.5 24'-9.25" 29'-6" 32'-0" 47'-7" 72'-3" 86'-1.5" 70  22'-0" 13'-0"
Jim Deters 14 117.5 21'-8" 27'-0.5" 28'-10.5" 46'-6.5" 62'-4" 82'-4" 50  26'-0" 13'-0"
Joe Moore 15 128 22'-8.5" 28'-7.5" 23'-6" 42'-9.25" 62'-4" 82'-4" 45  20'-0" 13'-0"
Notes: Dirk Bishop finishes with 4 straight world championships in this class - moves up next year.

Masters 45-49
Athlete Place Games
Points
Braemar
Stone

22lb
Open
Stone

16lb
Heavy
WFD
Light
WFD
Heavy
Hammer
Light
Hammer
Caber
19'4x100#
Sheaf
16lb
WFH
Dist Dist Dist Dist Dist Dist Score Dist Dist
Myles Wetzel 1 14 34'-4.75" 41'-11.5" 43'-8" 61'-6" 83'-0.25" 96'-8.5" 11:30  28'-0" 17'-0"
Brett Milton 2 25 30'-11" 39'-3" 41'-11.5" 60'-7.5" 84'-11" 102'-1.5" 12:15  26'-0" 14'-0"
Kip Miller 3 29.5 33'-0.75" 37'-3" 40'-4" 56'-9.5" 82'-9" 96'-5" 60  26'-0" 16'-0"
Mark Meyerhoff 4 30.5 32'-4.5" 39'-0.75" 37'-1.5" 56'-7" 84'-11" 105'-9" 60  26'-0" 16'-0"
Dale Gehman 5 45 28'-2.5" 34'-6.75" 41'-3" 53'-5.25" 79'-10" 96'-4" 75  24'-0" 15'-0"
Greg Bean 6 53 29'-9" 36'-5.25" 38'-3.5" 54'-9" 68'-1" 81'-9" 30  26'-0" 14'-0"
John Jans 7 63 25'-9.25" 31'-0" 34'-1" 49'-7" 64'-6.5" 77'-1" 60  22'-0" 15'-0"
Robert Verbanac 8 72 21'-9" 29'-4.5" 31'-10.5" 45'-11.5" 72'-1.5" 87'-7" 45  20'-0" 13'-0"
Bob Vail 9 73 25'-3.75" 31'-5.75" 30'-1" 46'-10" 56'-5" 71'-5" 30  22'-0" 14'-0"
Notes: Myles Wetzel repeats as class World Champion

Masters 50-54
Athlete Place Games
Points
Braemar
Stone

22lb
Open
Stone

16lb
Heavy
WFD
Light
WFD
Heavy
Hammer
Light
Hammer
Caber
16'6x80#
Sheaf
16lb
WFH
Dist Dist Dist Dist Dist Dist Score Dist Dist
Frank Henry 1 23.5 31'-4.5" 38'-1.75" 36'-5" 53'-7" 78'-1.5" 91'-0.5" 11:45  26'-0" 16'-0"
Mark Buchanan 2 26 30'-4.5" 39'-2.25" 36'-6.5" 55'-0.25" 75'-6.75" 89'-0.5" 12:00  26'-0" 15'-6"
Al Stagner 3 28.5 33'-5.5" 37'-7" 33'-3.5" 51'-9.75" 79'-6.75" 96'-10" 80  28'-0" 14'-0"
Larry Ventress 4 40.5 24'-11.5" 32'-2" 31'-6.5" 48'-7" 74'-10.75" 95'-6" 12:00  26'-0" 14'-0"
Jeffrey Baty 5 46.5 28'-7" 37'-1" 33'-11" 50'-4" 63'-11.75" 87'-1.5" 12:00  26'-0" 13'-0"
Rick Kramer 6 50.5 24'-8" 29'-6.5" 35'-8" 50'-11" 63'-4.5" 78'-9" 12:00  22'-0" 13'-0"
John Tracy 7 68 22'-11" 26'-10.5" 29'-10" 44'-10" 59'-9.75" 79'-6" 12:00  22'-0" 14'-0"
Merl Lawless 8 70 24'-10.5" 29'-4.5" 31'-1.5" 44'-3.25" 57'-6.75" 73'-5" 10:00  26'-0" 12'-0"
Mark Renken 9 72.5 21'-7.75" 25'-4.5" 29'-2" 43'-3.5" 68'-0" 89'-10" 10:00  26'-0" 12'-0"
Joe Mcphie 10 82.5 22'-3" 28'-1" 30'-6" 43'-4" 56'-7.25" 78'-7" 12:00  20'-0" 11'-0"
Chuck Livingston 11 91 24'-0" 28'-2.75" 25'-0.5" 37'-8" 57'-5" 76'-0" 80  20'-0" 13'-0"
Mike Melia 12 102.5 20'-5" 27'-0" 27'-4" 42'-7" 51'-3.75" 68'-0" 60  20'-0" 11'-0"
Notes: Frank Henry repeats as World Champion in this class. Buchanan, a former champion in this class finishes 2nd for the second time.

Masters 55-59
Athlete Place Games
Points
Braemar
Stone

22lb
Open
Stone

16lb
Heavy
WFD
Light
WFD
Heavy
Hammer
Light
Hammer
Caber
18'9"x89#
Sheaf
16lb
WFH
Dist Dist Dist Dist Dist Dist Score Dist Dist
Bill Leffler 1 13.5 33'-9.5" 39'-1.5" 32'-5" 53'-4.5" 82'-2.5" 100'-7.5" 11:00  31'-0" 15'-0"
Harvey Barkauskas - can 2 19 27'-11" 30'-6" 36'-11.5" 49'-8.5" 84'-6" 99'-6.5" 1:00  20'-0" 15'-0"
Dan Taylor 3 27.5 26'-9" 31'-3.25" 34'-4" 52'-8" 61'-8.25" 79'-2" 89    13'-0"
Reginald Dentry 4 31.5 25'-3" 29'-7" 28'-9" 42'-4" 57'-2" 82'-9" 88  20'-0" 15'-0"
Dan Valko 5 43.5 23'-0" 25'-4.25" 24'-3.5" 38'-9" 58'-7.25" 69'-10.5"   11'-0"
Notes: Leffler wins third World Championship (2nd in this class). Harvey, a three time champion, wins the Bill Anderson Combined Hammers Trophy. Bill Leffler wins the Combined Stones Trophy for the second year in a row.
Records: Barkauskas sets new class World Record in heavy hammer.

Masters 60-64
Name Place Pts. 22# Braemar Stone 16# Open Stone 28# Light WFD 42# Heavy WFD 16# Light Hammer 22# Heavy Hammer 42# W.O.B. 16# Sheaf 18'x82# Caber
Dan DeWelt 1 14 26 - 9 30 - 5 43 - 2 26 - 5 79 - 2.75 63 - 4.25 13 - 6 nh 60 deg
Roderick McLeod 2 15 24 - 7 29 - 0.75 39 - 10 24 - 7 68 - 10.25 58 - 5.25 14 - 0 28 - 0 11:00
Jerry Bowersox 3 27 20 - 8.5 23 - 10 30 - 1.75 20 - 5.5 55 - 11.25 44 - 7 9 - 0 16 - 0 No Toss
Malcolm Freeberg 4 34 19 - 2 20 - 6 25 - 9 17 - 0 50 - 8.5 39 - 6.5 8 - 0 14 - 0 30 deg
Notes: Dan DeWelt, member of the Masters Hall of Fame, comes out of a 7 year retirement to win his first World Championship.

Masters 65-69
Athlete Place Games
Points
Braemar
Stone

22lb
Open
Stone

16lb
Heavy
WFD
Light
WFD
Heavy
Hammer
Light
Hammer
Caber
15'3"x75#
Sheaf
16lb
WFH
Dist Dist Dist Dist Dist Dist Score Dist Dist
Dean Ross 1 9 21'-6" 23'-2" 25'-10" 35'-6.5" 52'-5.5" 67'-1" 12:00  23'-0" 11'-0"
Bill Rogers - usa 2 21 19'-3" 22'-2.25" 21'-1.5" 30'-5.5" 49'-0" 64'-3.25" 2:00  14'-0" 10'-0"
Malcolm Doying 3 24 18'-10" 19'-8" 14'-11.5" 34'-6.5" 46'-9.5" 59'-7.75" 2:00  16'-0" 9'-0"
Notes: Dean wins second World Championship (first was in 2003). Only champion to sweep all events.

Masters 70-74
Athlete Place Games
Points
Braemar
Stone
22lb
Open
Stone
16lb
Heavy
WFD
Light
WFD
Heavy
Hammer
Light
Hammer
Caber
15'3
Sheaf
16lb
WFH
Dist Dist Dist Dist Dist Dist Score Dist Dist
Frank Carl 1 10 23'-8" 26'-7.5" 22'-6.5" 33'-1.5" 51'-6.5" 68'-0" 12:00  18'-0" 11'-0"
Robert Verbanac 2 17 22'-11" 26'-11.75"   29'-4.75" 50'-7.5" 60'-10"    
Notes: Frank Carl wins his 5th World Championship and retires. Verbanac pulls out for injury.

Women 40-49
Athlete Place Games
Points
Braemar
Stone
12.58lb
Open
Stone
8.8lb
Heavy
WFD
28 lb.
Light
WFD
14 lb.
Heavy
Hammer
16 lb.
Light
Hammer
12 lb.
Caber
13'x40#
Sheaf
10lb
WFH
28 lb.
Dist Dist Dist Dist Dist Dist Score Dist Dist
Denise Houseman 1 10.5 25'-0" 32'-7" 30'-8.5" 55'-9.5" 64'-4" 73'-6" 12:00  18'-0" 14'-0"
Terri Ventress 2 18.5 23'-0" 31'-10.25" 30'-5" 52'-8" 60'-6.5" 69'-0" 12:00  18'-0" 13'-0"
Karyn Dallimore 3 30 22'-5.5" 27'-3" 28'-10.5" 48'-11" 53'-11" 66'-1" 12:00  16'-0" 12'-0"
Angela Studle 4 32 21'-11" 26'-3.5" 29'-0" 43'-9" 54'-7.25" 64'-5" 12:00  16'-0" 12'-0"
Dawn Higgins 5 44 17'-11" 23'-2.5" 22'-0" 45'-3" 43'-10.25" 55'-7" 60  16'-0" 11'-0"
Notes: WOMEN'S 40-49 CLASS. Denise Houseman takes her third World Championship. Ventress threepeats in 2nd.

Women 50+
Athlete Place Games
Points
Braemar
Stone
12.58 lb
Open
Stone
8.8 lb
Heavy
WFD
20 lb.
Light
WFD
Heavy
Hammer
Light
Hammer
Caber
13'x40#
Sheaf
10lb
WFH
20 lb.
Ruth Welding 1 11 23'-8" 28'-10" 30'-4.75" 40'-1.25" 42'-1.25" 55'-7" 11:00  12'-0" 15'-0"
Sue Hallen 2 24 20'-0.5" 23'-8.5" 31'-9.5" 38'-8.5" 35'-1" 40'-9"   11'-0"
Pat Shema 3 26 12'-5.5" 16'-0.5" 22'-8" 25'-7.5" 36'-3.75" 47'-3" 80  10'-0" 10'-0"
Sue Sanchez 4 29 15'-4.75" 19'-3" 20'-2.75" 21'-11" 31'-8" 41'-10" 30  14'-0" 9'-0"
Notes: WOMEN'S 50+ CLASS (first time). Heavy Wt and WOB were 20# weight. Sue Hallen competed with one arm (other was casted).
Records: All results would be class records as this is a new class for masters women.