Greetings, all Mighty Mike has begun his comeback in the long jump with a pretty impressive leap at Modesto -- and although USATF noticed, few others did. LA Times carried only agate of the meet on Sunday (in my edition in San Diego). At least the OC Register paid heed: By LARRY BORTSTEIN The Orange County Register World long jump record-holder Mike Powell, competing for the first time in nearly five years, had one legal attempt at the 60th Modesto Relays on Saturday, but it was enough to win the event. Powell, 37, an assistant track coach at Cal State Fullerton, leaped 26 feet, 5 1/4 inches on his first try and that held up to defeat Canada's Richard Duncan by nearly a foot. Duncan's best jump was 25-6 3/4. Powell, who passed on his second, fifth and sixth jumps and fouled on the third and fourth, said he came close to not competing because of pain in his left (takeoff) calf. "I needed a massage last night (Friday) and one this morning," Powell said from Modesto. "In my prime I never needed that. Still, to lose only 4 inches in five years, I guess I'm satisfied." The Modesto Relays event was Powell's first competition since July 29, 1996, when he jumped 26-9 to finish fifth in the Atlanta Olympics. He set the world record of 29-4 1/2 on Aug. 30, 1991 at the World Championships in Tokyo. USATF's Tom Surber added: Powell won the event after experiencing a tightened calf muscle earlier in the week. After his winning jump, Powell passed on his second attempt, fouled twice and passed on his final two attempts. He told the Modesto Bee: "I could've jumped further, but it's not worth risking right now. I know I'll be jumping 27 feet at the Nationals," (GMC Envoy USA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon, June 21-24). "I just know it." Powell is working on a master's degree in sports psychology at Cal State Fullerton, where he also serves as a volunteer track coach. Me again: Powell told me at Mt. SAC (where he led a jogging parade of kids at the opening ceremonies) that he'd take a shot at masters track after 2004. Athens remains his goal. He'd be 40 all that year. He turns masters age in November 2003. The world record for age 37, BTW, is held by Larry Myricks at 27-0 3/4 (8.25m). The masters WR is 24-10 (7.57) by 41-year-old Hans Schicker of West Germany in 1988. Powell should have a good shot at both. Relax, I won't age-grade MP's 26-5. He's still a submaster. Ken Stone http://www.masterstrack.com
