July 25, 2005
Jamie Koch, President of the University of New MexicoBoard of Regents, today won the shot put at the World Masters Gamesbeing held in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The 10-day event features25,000 athletes ages 25 and older competing in more than 30 individualand team events, from badminton to weightlifting.
Contending against 13 other international competitors in the 70-74 agegroup, Koch, 70, won the shot put with a toss of 13.75 meters (45 feet,1 inch). Germany’s Peter Speckens was second at 13.56 meters (44-5)followed by Kenneth Tronstad from Napa, Calif., at 12.51 meters (41feet).
It’s been a good year for Koch, a Santa Fe native who played footballand wrestled at UNM. Today’s victory was his 13th of 2005. Two weeksago he won the shot put at the Summer National Senior Games inPittsburgh, Pa., with a national masters’ record heave of 44 feet, 9inches.
Next up for Koch is the European Championships in Spain in late August.