Shorewood track coach exceling in senior competitions

Published 9:35 am Thursday, August 19, 2010

It’s safe to say that Lance Neubauer not only can talk the talk, but he can walk the walk.

Through the years, the Shorewood track and field coach had always done a little bit of throwing with his high school athletes during practices. He also found the time to compete in at least one all-comers meet every summer. Earlier this year, Neubauer was throwing the discus with King’s discus coach Greg Stotsenberg, who urged him to compete in more meets and provided him all the details on masters track and field competitions.

Neubauer turned 50 this year and decided he to take Stotsenberg’s advice. Neubauer headed out to a few meets and the results were encouraging.

“I had some pretty good marks,” Neubauer said. “I got excited about competing again.”

At last month’s Puget Sound Senior Games, Neubauer won four events in the 50-54 age division and also set meet records in all four events.

Neubauer finished first in the discus (150 feet, 2 inches), the shot put (45-9.5), the weight throw (41-10) and the superweight throw (21-4.25) on July 25 at Tumwater High School. Neubauer set personal records in the discus, the weight throw and the super weight throw.

“It’s been fun … getting out and learning to compete again,” Neubauer said. “I haven’t competed in a long time.”

The last time was at the University of Washington in 1978-79. Neubauer played football and lettered in track.

Nevertheless, it didn’t take long for Neubauer to feel comfortable with his throws, especially given his work with the Shorewood track and field team.

“It’s coming back. I threw enough with the shot and the discus that those came back pretty quick,” Neubauer said. “I’m still getting better. I think I can go further.”

Nationally, Neubauer is ranked ninth in the super weight throw, 10th in the shot put, 15th in the discus and 19th in the weight throw. He’s earned all-American status in the shot put, discus and the super weight throw.

Since he’s been coaching, Neubauer really hasn’t done much training specific to throws. Now that he’s back competing, Neubauer will bring an added perspective to his athletes. Neubauer said he will have different ways to present techniques to athletes.

“It’s been good for me to reevaluate how I coach,” Neubauer said.

Neubauer has found that the Shoreline area has a large contingent of master level athletes.

“There’s a lot of support from the guys,” Neubauer said. “They’re very encouraging.”

Neubauer plans to compete in two more outdoor meets this summer – the USA Masters track and field weight championships and the Olympic Peninsula Senior Games. He’ll then start training for the indoor season with the ultimate goal of competing in the World Master Indoor Championships March 1-6 in Kamloops, B.C.

Many of the athletes at these master’s meets are much older than Neubauer.

“It’s very motivating to see some of these folks,” Neubauer said. “I threw with a guy who was 97 years old. It’s pretty fun to see people compete well into their 60s, 70, 80s and 90s.”