WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Team USA will send its biggest ever team to the indoor world masters (WMA) track and field championships March 1-6 at Kamloops, B.C., Canada: 298 athletes (including 71 women) between the ages of 35 and 92. This is the fourth WMA indoor world meet but the first outside Europe.

24 American gold medalists from 2008 France indoor worlds will defend titles at Kamloops, and 22 champions from last year's outdoor worlds in Finland are on the U.S. team.

U.S. stars at the meet are expected to include Phil Raschker (W60), who won ten golds at the 2007 outdoor world championships, was named the outstanding athlete, and is a two-time Sullivan Finalist the past five years for America's top athlete in any sport—other finalists included Michael  Phelps, Apollo Ohno, and Tim Tebow (Raschker is entered in nine events in Kamloops); Nolan Shaheed, acclaimed jazz musician/trumpeter who's played with Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Phil Collins, Anita Baker and Natalie Cole – and in January set a new indoor world record in the M60 mile;  Kathryn Martin, (W55),  a BENGAY Athlete of the Year and Nike TV ad star who is slated to try for gold in five distance races;  Emil Pawlik (M70), Lahti World Champion in the Decathlon; Becky Sisley (W70), winner of four Golds among seven medals in Lahti; Rita Hanscom (W55), celebrated in Monte Carlo last November as IAAF World Masters Athlete of the Year after winning five Gold Medals at Lahti worlds;  Sid Howard (M70), whose New Jersey delivery company "Super Fast" could describe his numerous world track middle distance championships; and Bruce McBarnette in the M50 high jump, a professional actor (including "West Wing") who proudly references  his world track titles at his important philanthropic events.  

Oldest American entrants: Orville Rogers, 92, Dallas and Ralph Maxwell, 90, Alamo, Texas. Oldest women:  Johnnye Valien, 84, Los Angeles and Sumi Onodera-Leonard, 81, Huntington Beach, CA.  

MEDIA CONTACT: For U.S. athlete interviews and information, Bob Weiner, USATF Masters Media Chair, 301-283-0821;  During meet Bob trackside or cells 202-329-1700 or 202-306-1200, hotel (250) 374-4144

Information on Athletes:

http://www.usatfmasters.org/20100205wma_summary.htm

SOURCE Robert Weiner Associates