Low Numbers

But jogglers by a dozen in the pied-a-pied championships

No records were set in the Numbers event, but Kirk Swenson broke his own mark for the joggled mile with a time of 4:47.51. Swenson, a 20-year-old senior and track team member at Amherst College, topped his 1984 convention record by about 8 seconds. Finishing second in the mile was Banks Helfrich (5:06.7). U.S. Nationals winner Andrew Head captured third place in 5:47.15.

The 100-meter joggle was run in two heats, and won by newly-elected IJA president Bill Giduz of Davidson, N.C. Giduz's time of 15.05 was far from Albert Lucas's record of 12.67 set last year. Second place in the 100 went to Lars Rohrback of Walnut Creek ,Calif. (17.53), and Michael Draney of Mountain Park, N.M., came in third (20.0).

There was scant competition against Dan Bennett of Ogden, Utah, for the ball and ring Numbers Challenge. The challenge began at the eight ball level, and Bennett qualified on his third and final trial with 17 throws. His only opponent, Juniors Championship winner Ken Falk, fell one toss short of qualification with only 15 throws. Bennett made an attempt at nine balls, but managed only 11, 10 and 7 tosses.

Bennett was the only ring competitor, and won with 12 tosses on his first and best attempt at the eight level.

(*correction)

When asked to explain the low participation in the event, Holly Greeley, championships director, said there would be unspecified change in the Numbers Challenge next year.

Thanks From the Championships Director

I have come to the conclusion that the person who described the job of championships director as 11 months of worry followed by two weeks of headaches (JW, Fall 1984) had some inside information. It is an extremely accurate description. I'd like, therefore, to extend my most sincere thanks to those people who helped me get through the two weeks of headaches.

Thanks to all of the judges who performed so well under pressure: Barry Bakalor, Craig Barnes, Richard Dingman, Laura Dirksen-Green, Alan Howard, Karen Grant-Margil, Michael Marlin, Ro Lutz-Nagey, Larry Olson, Andrew Schwartz, Todd Smith, Kit Summers and Kezia Tenenbaum.

Thanks to my stage manager, Ranaga Farber, without whom I could not have made it through.

Thanks to my support staff: Rene Brachfield, Dick Bamberry, Sandy Brown, Jimmy Neff and Ginny Rose for keeping me sane.

Thanks to the new joggling director, Larry Kluger, for running the show (no pun intended!).

And finally, thanks to the Renegade Jugglers for making me laugh.

There may be other people I've neglected to mention, but I appreciate everyone's help.

The championships were the result of a team effort and every member of that team should be proud of his or her accomplishments. I'll see you all again in San Jose .

Holly Greeley, Championships Director.