Saline Celtic Festival and Masters World Championships
Saline, Michigan - July 12, 2008

Here's what some of the athletes said about the games:

Bill, thanks again for all your efforts in MWC this year. You and everyone involved did a great job. I hope to make it to Scotland next year,
looks like it's going to be an incredible time. Tony Colbert

Dear Bill, Thank-you again for the opportunity to run the 2008 World Masters Tournament here in Saline Michigan. The athletes were
fantastic and we enjoyed them immensely. We wish you and all the athletes continued success and good health. Don Makins, AD Saline

Bill, I just wanted to say thank you. I think you have some idea of the depth of how much this means to me. I just want to thank you for providing the stage
for the event. It was a great game, very well organized and super people. Thank you so much, Myles Wetzel

I always enjoy seeing the guys from all over. Saline does put on a nice festival . Thank you for some very fond memories that
money can't buy. Rick Dentry

Bill, thank you so much for a wonderfull first experience at the world championships. The competition was awesome, the judges were terrific, it was an outstanding
educational experience for Highland Athletics and can,t wait for next year. This was definately a tribute to you and all you,ve done for the sport. thanks again

Chuck Livingston and Bob Vail "the New Yorkers"

Bill, Just a note to tell you that we are very pleased with the experience of hosting the MWC. Pat Little, Festival Chairman

WOW! What a great job you and the Saline organization did to put on the best game I have ever seen. I had a awesome day. I mean, I would have been happy to go home after getting the Hall of Fame plaque. It occured to me late in the day as I was resting awaiting the last event to start, that I have come full circle. My dream of having a MWC, helped start the ball rolling at Ft.Smith, and then I had to take my leave for a long, long time. Then to see what you have accomplished with your web site and organizing so many aspects of the growth and credibility of Masters competition - I am just amazed. As I sat there, I look around the field and what a spectacular sight that was. I realized my dream had come true, and was far more than I had ever invisioned - thanks in very large part due to your tireless efforts.

Also I was there to compete again and see so many old friends and begin new friendships with guys I had only read about - and greatly admired. They were saying things like,"I have heard about you, and I am glad to finally meet you." etc. Wow, that is humbleing. I managed to win my class and I knew that for me I had finished what I had begun fifteen years ago, and IT WAS SWEET. So I decided right then, as I was taking all that in, that I will not compete anymore. There just is no reason for me to. I have done it all and I have been greatly blessed by it all, all along the way. The past fourteen months have been a celeration of renewal as I found happiness beyond measure. (nothing to do with religion) However I am training a couple new very talented athletes (one is fifty) as they get ready for their first games in McFearson, KS in late September. I will be there to help them through the day, and the younger of the two (twenty eight) will be wearing my kilt from now on.

Billy, just wanted to say a HUGE THANK YOU for another great WMC.. this years events was just top notch.. I never heard a bad word all day or after from any of the athletes. I don't know what we are going to do without you running all of this .. I think it will take at least 3 or more people to do the workload that you currently do. I had such a great time and the dinner the friday night was a blast and was entertaining to say the least sitting with Merl & Brian... I have some really interesting new stories. It was nice to get to meet some of the guys I only know by name and meet some new women this year. All the volunteers, Judges, scorekeepers, AD's and everyone just made the day one to remember. Us women really had a blast, & thanks again for the new division, we had a great day of throwing and singing & hanging out. I had PR's in both Hammers (which are my worst events), so I was very excited to say the least.. Even the thunderstorm in the morning throwing Sheaf & Caber could not dampen our spirits. So thanks a million for all you do for the Heavy Events & the Masters you are truly the "heart of the games". I was talking with some of the Canadian boys and we are going to speak to the powers that be, for trying to get the 2010 in Nova Scotia... will keep you posted. If not .. my vote is for Colorado (your home town).
Take care and hope to see you again this year. Hugs to you & Linda and will talk soon Cheers from your favourite Canadian

However, it was a great festival and the people who did come had a great time. The local papers were full of glowing articles after the festival - everyone thought the Highland Heavy Athletic events were wonderful - the fact that we had multiple venues going at the same time was really a hit. I think we all learned a lot from having the Masters that we can apply to future festivals. Pam Grosshans - Festival Committeewoman

40-49 Under 200#
Athlete	Place	Games Points	Braemar Stone 22lb	Open Stone 16lb	Heavy WFD	Light WFD	Heavy Hammer	Light Hammer	Caber 18'x82#	Sheaf 16lb	WFH
Athlete	Place	Games Points	Dist	Dist	Dist	Dist	Dist	Dist	Score	Dist	Dist
Doug Ballard	1	24	29'-2.5"	34'-10.5"	36'-5.5"	50'-0"	64'-10"	79'-2"	11:50	25'-0"	14'-0"
Kevin Rogers	1	24	28'-0.5"	34'-8"	33'-3"	48'-8"	73'-0"	98'-2"	85	25'-0"	13'-0"
Robert Henderson	3	32.5	26'-6.75"	35'-2.5"	32'-4"	49'-0.5"	65'-5"	85'-1"	12:00	22'-0"	12'-0"
Kevin Henderson	4	42	25'-9"	32'-5"	30'-6.75"	50'-3.5"	61'-3"	83'-2"	12:15	25'-0"	12'-0"
Tony Colbert	5	45	21'-10.5"	29'-7.5"	29'-5"	45'-1.5"	71'-7"	92'-0"	11:30	20'-0"	14'-0"
Kirk Taylor	6	54	29'-1.5"	34'-5.5"	26'-11"	44'-5.25"	72'-11"	89'-11"	60	20'-0"
Tim Ross	7	61.5	24'-11"	30'-11"	26'-2.25"	37'-10.75"	69'-0"	91'-6"	70	20'-0"	10'-0"
Doug Mcdonald	8	65.5	23'-9"	27'-4"	29'-7.5"	46'-10.5"	57'-1"	75'-7.5"	75	20'-0"	12'-0"
Tom Kollars	9	73.5	22'-11.5"	29'-3"	26'-7"	39'-4.75"	55'-7"	69'-4"	60	22'-0"	12'-0"
Dave Carl	10	75.5	22'-1.5"	27'-5.5"	22'-3"	41'-2.5"	57'-2.5"	75'-11"	70	18'-0"	12'-0"
Michaell Wilkie	11	98	18'-5"	23'-5"	13'-6"	31'-3"	45'-9"	73'-5.5"	45	16'-0"	10'-0"
Christian Flanagan	12	106.5	17'-3.5"	20'-7.5"	17'-9.5"	30'-0.5"	33'-6.5"	59'-6"	40	16'-0"
Notes: MASTERS 40-49 UNDER 200#. Ties for Masters World Championship have been left unbroken since 2005. This year we have co-champions.

50+ Under 200#
Athlete	Place	Games Points	Braemar Stone 22lb	Open Stone 16lb	Heavy WFD	Light WFD	Heavy Hammer	Light Hammer	Caber 16'x90#	Sheaf 16lb	WFH
Athlete	Place	Games Points	Dist	Dist	Dist	Dist	Dist	Dist	Score	Dist	Dist
Jim Spalding	1	10	28'-8"	36'-2"	38'-2"	56'-0"	71'-2"	90'-7"	9:45	22'-0"	15'-0"
Danny Ellis	2	19	24'-10.5"	29'-6.5"	32'-9"	46'-3.5"	71'-0.25"	86'-11"	85	24'-0"	12'-0"
Pat Parker	3	25	25'-6"	28'-10"	30'-2.5"	42'-9"	60'-11"	75'-11.5"	70	20'-0"	12'-0"
Notes: MEN'S 50+ UNDER 200# CLASS. Spalding wins his 5th World Championship, first in this class. Spalding also won the John Ross Combined Distance Trophy.
Records: Jim Spalding set 2 Masters World Records in this class: Heavy Wt for Distance and WOB.

Masters 40-44
Athlete	Place	Games Points	Braemar Stone 22lb	Open Stone 16lb	Heavy WFD	Light WFD	Heavy Hammer	Light Hammer	Caber 19'x92#	Sheaf 16lb	WFH
Athlete	Place	Games Points	Dist	Dist	Dist	Dist	Dist	Dist	Score	Dist	Dist
Dirk Bishop	1	16	34'-10"	42'-0.5"	48'-10"	70'-8"	99'-2.75"	118'-4"	12:00	26'-0"	17'-0"
Steiger Doug	2	36	31'-10"	38'-3.5"	42'-8"	62'-11.5"	86'-9"	107'-0"	12:00	24'-0"	16'-0"
Warren Trask	3	41.5	28'-8"	36'-5.75"	40'-9"	62'-7"	80'-2.5"	100'-11"	12:00	30'-0"	16'-0"
Rhett Bobzein	4	42.5	28'-10"	36'-2"	43'-7"	62'-7.75"	70'-2.25"	89'-6.5"	12:00	32'-0"	17'-0"
John Jay	5	51.5	31'-8.5"	38'-4.75"	38'-9.5"	54'-1"	83'-9.5"	101'-11"	9:30	22'-0"	17'-0"
John Vinzant	6	54.5	28'-8"	37'-8"	39'-10"		92'-3"	112'-1"	9:30	26'-0"	15'-0"
Mike Shea	7	71	27'-3"	32'-4.5"	39'-1.5"	60'-9"	79'-4"	95'-4"	75	26'-0"	14'-0"
Kengo Kubota	8	72	32'-0.5"	40'-8"	35'-0.5"		73'-3"	100'-10"	30	28'-0"	13'-0"
Ken Crum	9	78	28'-7"	35'-10.75"	39'-10.5"	52'-1"	71'-2.25"	91'-1"	75	20'-0"	15'-0"
Geir Standal - nor	10	87	27'-2"	30'-5"	32'-4.5"	43'-10.25"	65'-6.5"	88'-6"	12:15	24'-0"	17'-0"
John Shingler	11	88	26'-3.5"	32'-7.75"	35'-9.5"	55'-10"	71'-0"	91'-5"	80		14'-0"
Anthony Lordi - swiz	12	91	24'-10"	32'-4"	34'-4"	49'-11"	72'-2.5"	89'-2"	85	22'-0"	14'-0"
Steven Jystad	13	105.5	24'-9.25"	29'-6"	32'-0"	47'-7"	72'-3"	86'-1.5"	70	22'-0"	13'-0"
Jim Deters	14	117.5	21'-8"	27'-0.5"	28'-10.5"	46'-6.5"	62'-4"	82'-4"	50	26'-0"	13'-0"
Joe Moore	15	128	22'-8.5"	28'-7.5"	23'-6"	42'-9.25"	62'-4"	82'-4"	45	20'-0"	13'-0"
Notes: Dirk Bishop finishes with 4 straight world championships in this class - moves up next year.

Masters 45-49
Athlete	Place	Games Points	Braemar Stone 22lb	Open Stone 16lb	Heavy WFD	Light WFD	Heavy Hammer	Light Hammer	Caber 19'4	Sheaf 16lb	WFH
Athlete	Place	Games Points	Dist	Dist	Dist	Dist	Dist	Dist	Score	Dist	Dist
Myles Wetzel	1	14	34'-4.75"	41'-11.5"	43'-8"	61'-6"	83'-0.25"	96'-8.5"	11:30	28'-0"	17'-0"
Brett Milton	2	25	30'-11"	39'-3"	41'-11.5"	60'-7.5"	84'-11"	102'-1.5"	12:15	26'-0"	14'-0"
Kip Miller	3	29.5	33'-0.75"	37'-3"	40'-4"	56'-9.5"	82'-9"	96'-5"	60	26'-0"	16'-0"
Mark Meyerhoff	4	30.5	32'-4.5"	39'-0.75"	37'-1.5"	56'-7"	84'-11"	105'-9"	60	26'-0"	16'-0"
Dale Gehman	5	45	28'-2.5"	34'-6.75"	41'-3"	53'-5.25"	79'-10"	96'-4"	75	24'-0"	15'-0"
Greg Bean	6	53	29'-9"	36'-5.25"	38'-3.5"	54'-9"	68'-1"	81'-9"	30	26'-0"	14'-0"
John Jans	7	63	25'-9.25"	31'-0"	34'-1"	49'-7"	64'-6.5"	77'-1"	60	22'-0"	15'-0"
Robert Verbanac	8	72	21'-9"	29'-4.5"	31'-10.5"	45'-11.5"	72'-1.5"	87'-7"	45	20'-0"	13'-0"
Bob Vail	9	73	25'-3.75"	31'-5.75"	30'-1"	46'-10"	56'-5"	71'-5"	30	22'-0"	14'-0"
Notes: Myles Wetzel repeats as class World Champion

Masters 50-54
Athlete	Place	Games Points	Braemar Stone 22lb	Open Stone 16lb	Heavy WFD	Light WFD	Heavy Hammer	Light Hammer	Caber 16'6	Sheaf 16lb	WFH
Athlete	Place	Games Points	Dist	Dist	Dist	Dist	Dist	Dist	Score	Dist	Dist
Frank Henry	1	23.5	31'-4.5"	38'-1.75"	36'-5"	53'-7"	78'-1.5"	91'-0.5"	11:45	26'-0"	16'-0"
Mark Buchanan	2	26	30'-4.5"	39'-2.25"	36'-6.5"	55'-0.25"	75'-6.75"	89'-0.5"	12:00	26'-0"	15'-6"
Al Stagner	3	28.5	33'-5.5"	37'-7"	33'-3.5"	51'-9.75"	79'-6.75"	96'-10"	80	28'-0"	14'-0"
Larry Ventress	4	40.5	24'-11.5"	32'-2"	31'-6.5"	48'-7"	74'-10.75"	95'-6"	12:00	26'-0"	14'-0"
Jeffrey Baty	5	46.5	28'-7"	37'-1"	33'-11"	50'-4"	63'-11.75"	87'-1.5"	12:00	26'-0"	13'-0"
Rick Kramer	6	50.5	24'-8"	29'-6.5"	35'-8"	50'-11"	63'-4.5"	78'-9"	12:00	22'-0"	13'-0"
John Tracy	7	68	22'-11"	26'-10.5"	29'-10"	44'-10"	59'-9.75"	79'-6"	12:00	22'-0"	14'-0"
Merl Lawless	8	70	24'-10.5"	29'-4.5"	31'-1.5"	44'-3.25"	57'-6.75"	73'-5"	10:00	26'-0"	12'-0"
Mark Renken

Saline Celtic Festival and Masters World Championships Saline, Michigan - July 12, 2008

Saline Celtic Festival and Masters World Championships
Saline, Michigan - July 12, 2008