Ballou finishes fifth at U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials in 400 meter masters race

Published Date Written by Lloyd Jones

CONWAY — Former Kennett High standout Terry Ballou finished fifth last week In Eugene, Oregon, in the Masters 400 meter at the US Olympic Trials. Lisa Daley, her Central Park Track Club, teammate won the Masters race.

Ballou, who ran in the masters 200 meters at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon, four years ago, had her proud parents Eileen and Bernie Livingston, in the stands for the July 1 race.

"She ran very well," Bernie Livingston, her former high school track coach at Kennett High, said.

Daley won the race in 59.25 while Charmine Roberts, of Athena TC, was second in 59.49, while Monica Brant, of the Southern California Track Club, was third, 59.76.

Ballou, 44, who was seeded eighth in the talented field, crossed the finish line in fifth in 1:01.05.

Men and women age 40 and up who are U.S. citizens may apply to compete in the masters men's 200m or masters women's 400m as part of the USATF Masters Invitational Program. You must be a 2012 USATF member to compete in the meet.

To apply for entry into masters invitational events, you must have met the following standards during the 2011 or 2012 seasons: 1:04.50 for ages 40-49 and 1:05.50 for ages 50-59.

This spring Ballou won the women's 800 meters in the 40-45 year-old age class at the Masters Indoor Track & Field Championships in Indiana.

The Masters Indoor Track & Field Championships were held at the Harry Gladstein Fieldhouse on the campus of Indiana University. At the Championships, in the 40-45 year-old women's 400 meters, Ballou, 44, was second overall in 1:01.43. Roberts, 44, of the Athena Track Club, won the race in 59.69, while Lisa Ryan, 42, of the Southern California Track Club, rounded out the Top 3 in 1:04.54.

"She was only two seconds off her high school best time," Bernie Livingston, Ballou's father and former high school coach, said.

Ballou, a former Kennett High track and cross country running standout, saved her best result for two days later when she won the 800 meters by a second and a half, winning in 2:21.82. Ryan was second, 2:23.34; and Roberts, third, 2:23.99.

"She was really happy with how the race went," Livingston said. "

Two hours later, Ballou, who lives in New York and has a home in Madison, anchored the winning 4X400 relay team that finished in 2:21.9.

"They had hoped to break the world master's record, but I think they were all just too tired after so many events," Livingston said.