Holmes Beach long-distance runner still going strong at 70

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Progressive Cabinetry’s Charlie Rogers takes a forward kick during 8-10 division soccer action May 20 at the Center of Anna Maria Island. Islander Photo: Kevin P. Cassidy
Progressive Cabinetry’s Ewen Cloutier races downfield with Slim’s Place defender Gabe Hoover hot in pursuit during 8-10 division soccer action May 20 at the center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Islander Photo: Kevin P. Cassidy
Holmes Beach resident Sandy Meneley is in her stride April 17 in the Boston Marathon. Meneley finished her third Boston Marathon in sixth place in her age group with a time of 4:34. Islander Photo: Courtesy Fuzz Meneley

Holmes Beach resident Sandy Meneley ran the April 17 Boston Marathon and finished in a very respectable sixth place in her age division with a time of 4 hours, 34 minutes.

This is Meneley’s third time running the Boston Marathon, having also ran in the 2000 and 2009 races. This year’s run had significance for Meneley and other women runners as it was the 50th anniversary for women taking part in the race.

Kathryn Switzer, the first woman to run the Boston event, also was in the race, competing in the same age division as Meneley. And, for the record, Meneley finished 10 minutes ahead of Switzer.

Meneley tried to draw on her experience from her other two runs in Boston, having learned the pitfalls of starting too fast on the downhill section.

Despite this, she found herself going at a faster pace than she expected after 13 miles so she consciously tried to slow her pace by a half minute per mile. Her body forced the issue, as calf cramps arose at mile 15. A trip to the medical tent for anti-cramping medication helped, but resulted in intestinal problems.

More medical tent stops and three port-a-potty visits got her to the finish line, she said, but added to her overall time.

Meneley was well represented in Boston. Husband Fuzz, son MJ Meneley, as well as friends from the Boston area who winter on Anna Maria Island — Susan and Dan Smith of Natick, Massachusetts, and Pam Halsey of New Hampshire — were cheering her through the miles.

Also in the race: daughter Lesley Brainard of Collierville, Tennessee. She competed in the 45-49 age group and finished 33 out of 1,800 in 3:22.

Next up for Meneley is triathlon season. She says the training is easier on her body, using different muscle groups for swimming and biking.

Though Meneley’s pace is on track, she is starting to deal with the pain of pushing herself to do her best, as opposed to being satisfied with finishing the race.

However, upon returning home and learning she is ranked first in the nation in duathlon — run, bike, run — and an All American in both duathlon and triathlon — she likely will strive for her best.

Congratulations to Sandy and family from The Islander.

 

Playoff matchups set in youth soccer

Regular-season soccer action at the Center of Anna Maria Island came to a close May 20 and the playoff matchups are set for the 8-10 division. The semifinal games were set to start at 5:30 p.m. May 23, after press time for The Islander, when top-seed Truly Nolen will take on fourth-seed Wash Family Construction. The second semifinal follows at 6:30 p.m. between No. 2 seed Progressive Cabinetry and No. 3 Slim’s Place.

Championship Wednesday kicks off Wednesday, May 24, with the 8-10 division championship game at 6:30 p.m. The two-team 11-14 division championship game follows at 7:30 p.m.

The final regular season games kicked off May 20 with an 11-14 division matchup that saw Sign-A-Rama earn a 5-3 victory over Salty Printing behind four goals from Tyler Brewer and a goal and an assist from Connor Ludwig.

Javier Rivera led the way for Salty Printing with two goals in the loss. Thomas Heckler added a goal.

Action continued Saturday morning with a pair of 8-10 division games starting with Slim’s Place taking on Progressive Cabinetry .

Slim’s rode five goals from Aiden Templeton to earn a 5-3 victory. Gregory Jordan added an assist to go along with three saves in goal, while Gabe Hoover finished with two saves between the pipes.

Ewen Cloutier led Progressive Cabinetry with two goals while Jackson Pakbaz added a goal. Charlie Rogers added an assist to go along with three saves, while Jack McCarthy finished with two saves and an assist in the loss.

The second 8-10 division game saw Truly Nolen and Wash Family Construction battle to a 4-4 tie.

 

Key Royale golf news

Golf action at the Key Royale Club kicked off May 15 with the men playing a nine-hole modified Stableford-system match. John Kolojeski lapped the field with a score of plus-5 to win the individual competition, two points ahead of Bill Shuman, who finished alone in second place.

Kolojeski’s score helped teammates Marty Hicks, Lex Halakan and Hoyt Miller to the team title as well with a score of plus-11.

The women played May 16 in a nine-hole individual-low-net match in four flights.

Debbie Wohlers rode a birdie on the number six to take home first place in Flight A with a 3-under-par 29, one stroke ahead of second-place finisher Pam Lowry.

Tootie Wagner’s 1-under-par 31 was good for first place in Flight B, where Fran Barford and Sue Christenson tied for second place with 1-over-par 33s.

Flight C went to Kathy Porter, who carded a 5-under-par 27 to finish one stroke ahead of second-place finisher Alice Longworth.

Wendy Holcomb fired the low-net round of the day with a 7-under-par 25 to run away with honors in Flight D. Judy Hutton took second place with a 2-over-par 34.

The men were back on the course May 18 for a nine-hole scramble. The team of Gerry Dahl, Jon Holcomb, Art McMillan and Jeff Smith took home first place with a 5-under-par 27. The team of Herb Clauhs, Bill MacMillan, Dan Richardson and Earl Ritchie were one stroke back in second place.

 

Horseshoe news

Horseshoe action May 17 saw three teams earn 2-0 pool play records at the Anna Maria City Hall horseshoe pits.

The three-way tie was broken by a “sudden death” tiebreaker, giving the team of Dom Livedoti and Sam Samuels the championship.

Two teams advanced to the knockout round May 20. The team of Rod Bussey and Sam Samuels earned a 22-14 victory over Tom Skoloda and Roger Nigg to earn a trip to the winner’s circle.

Play gets under way at 9 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Anna Maria City Hall pits. Warmups begin at 8:45 a.m. followed by random team selection. There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome.