Masters So Cal Track and Field Championship
The first Masters Southern California Track and Field Championships was held on June 1, 1974, at Sunny Hills High School in Fullerton. Masters class Track and Field had officially started in 1968 in nearby San Diego. Since its first annual meet, the Masters Southern California Track and Field Championships has been held every successive year except 2020, when the meet was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the years, the meet has been organized under a succession of organizations: the Southern California Association of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), The Athletics Congress  (TAC), and currently USA Track and Field (USATF). History of Masters So Cal. Through the efforts of David Pain, Masters Track and Field and its first Outdoor Track and Field Championship was founded in 1968. The Masters So Cal Outdoor Track and Field Championship competition was first held in June 1974. The 2019 meet included a complete set of running (sprints, middle distance, long distance, and relays), hurdles, steeplechase, racewalking, and field events (high jump, pole vault, long jump, triple jump, shot put, discus, hammer throw, and javelin). Historically, many records have been produced at this meet. Tom Patsalis' M60  World Record in the long jump at Masters So Cal has stood since 1982. In total there are eight current Masters American Records that were set at this meet (see List of United States records in masters athletics). The June 1975 meet included athletes Daniel Aldrich, Bryant Avery, Walt Butler, Ken Dennis, John Dobroth, Bill Fitzgerald, Pete Mundle, Nick Newton, Parry O'Brien (Olympian), Tom Patsalis, Paul Spangler, Art Vesco, and John Whittemore as competitors. The Los Angeles Times reported that Bill Fitzgerald set a M50 World Record in the mile at 4:37.1 and M50 American Record in the 880 yard  at 2:07.2 at the meet. In June of 1977 the "LA Times" stated, "Valley Track Club members Jerry Hackett of Canyon Country and Ernie Portillo of Canoga Park won divisions of the 880-yard run in the annual AAU District Masters Track and Field Championship. The July 1980 National Masters Newsletter issue reports that the June 1980 meet produced four new records. The Janes Elite Racing Club set a Masters American Record in the 4 x 800 m relay at the June 2018 meet. Olympians. The July 18, 1981, meet at University of California, Los Angeles featured Olympians John Carlos , Phil Conley, Tom Laris, Bill Toomey, Martha Watson, and Herm Wyatt. Additional Olympians that have competed at the meet include Leon Coleman, Willie Gault, Larry Hart (athlete), Russ Hodge, Parry O'Brien, Steve Smith (pole vaulter), Larry Walker, Amy Acuff (5 time Olympian), Rosalyn Bryant Carter, Deby LaPlante Sweezey, and Pam Page. In June 1992, Benny Brown, aged 38, competed in the Masters So Cal Track and Field Championship and won the M35 100 & 200 meter dash. In 2004 visitors (non master) Carmelita Jeter won the 100 & 200 meter races and Khadevis Robinson won the 400. Notable Masters athletes. The SCA  Championship has also seen its share of United States and World Masters Age Records, single age records, meet records, and stars during the meet, including Walt Butler, Todd Christensen, Robert Culling, Burl Gist, Bert de Groot, Kenny Dennis, John Dobroth, A. Redmond Doms, Bill Fitzgerald, Arnie Gaynor, Joe Greenberg, Dave Jackson, Carol Johnston, George Ker, Gunnar Linde, Leland McPhie, Gary Miller, Herb Miller, Peter Mundle, James Oleson, Tom Patsalis, Del Pickarts, Charlie Radar, Nolan Shaheed, Larry Stuart, Jack Thatcher, Clarence Trahan, Bob Watanabe, Stan Whitley, Leo Williams, Kathy Bergen, Adreana Cano, Linda Cohn, Sue Dimarco, Shirley Kinsey, Christel Donley (Miller ), Rita Hanscom, Sue McDonald, Johnnye Valien, and Janet Wilson, among others. Track Newsletter (published by Track & Field News) noted that Milan Tiff won the M30-34 TJ in 51'-11 3/4". Visitor Senator Alan Cranston from Northern California won the M65 100 and 200 meter races at the 1980 meet. Meet dates and locations. Meet Dates and Locations: USATF Southern California Association and Region. The USATF designated Southern California Association area (USATF SCA Association) counties include: Inyo, Los Angeles, Mono, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura. The SCA office falls under the West Region (AZ, CA , HI, NM, and NV). Association competition groups include Youth, (High School), (Collegiate), Open, Elite, Masters, and Para. USATF Southern California Association has one of the largest population bases of any USATF sub-association. Additional Masters Track and Field Competitions. Southern California Masters Track and Field athletes have also competed at the following meets: Additional competitions include cross country, marathons, road races, race walking, and Ultra.