Ft. Lauderdale woman sets world record at track and field competition in Naples

MacDonald, a novice, scaled 8 feet 3 inches for the record.

``This was my first outdoor meet of the season, so I'm hoping to do a lot better than this,'' said MacDonald, a sprinter who converted to pole vault two years ago. ``I want to hit 10 feet this year, and I know I can do that.''

She attributes her pole-vaulting success to Cardinal Gibbons High School track and field coach Glenn Lee, pole vault official Don Manchester, St. Thomas Aquinas track and field coach Dave Sheppard, and Hollywood YMCA gymnastics coach Roberto Pumpido.

``I used gymnastics for upper body strength, the flexibility, the balance and body awareness,'' MacDonald said. ``Overall fitness.''

MacDonald's personal best is 8 feet, 8 1/4 inches, set last July at the National Masters Championships in East Lansing, Mich. She competed in the women's 50-54 age group last year, winning the national title. She won silver at the World Games in Buffalo.

``The quarter mile is the hardest event,'' said MacDonald, who won a master's national title in the quarter mile in the 45-49 age group seven years ago. ``But the pole vault is the most complicated. I still have years to go before I peak.''

Age is not a factor. There are several pole vaulters from other countries 70 and older, along with two American female pole vaulters over 70.

``It's all in your head,'' MacDonald said.

MacDonald, a distance runner earlier in her career, is a member of the Atlanta Track Club's masters team. When she's not on the track and field, she's a self-employed tax accountant for businesses and individuals throughout Broward.
Karate kudos

Danny Graham, 10, of Fort Lauderdale was first in fighting and second in forms in the 10-year-old Intermediate Division at the Battle of Atlanta Karate Championships last month. Graham was the lone representative from Plantation's University Karate Center.

``For a 10-year-old to be able to travel far from home to compete without the immediate support of his coach and teammates and turn in a first-class performance in two events indicates an extraordinary level of self-confidence and emotional strength,'' said Robert Heale Mason, chief instructor at University Karate Center. ``While it may not have been Olympic gold for Danny, his victory at this event demonstrates a standard of excellence and commitment to performance that exemplifies the Olympic spirit.''

The Battle of Atlanta is considered a top international martial arts tournament, drawing more than 2,000 competitors worldwide.
Summer sports programs

Sunrise is offering a number of summer programs for adults, teens and kids, including tackle football, cheerleading and men's Industrial League softball. The Fourth of July brings the Sunrise Duathlon and a Three-On-Three basketball tournament for teens.

For information, visit the Sunrise Department of Leisure Services, 9525 W. Oakland Park Blvd., or call 572-2263.