Jamie Koch, president of the UNM Board of Regents, won the shot put at the World Masters Games held in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada recently. The 10-day event featured 25,000 athletes ages 25 and older competing in more than 30 individual and team events, from badminton to weightlifting.
Contending against 13 other international competitors in the 70-74 age group, 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 (41 feet).
It's been a good year for Koch, a Santa Fe native who played football and wrestled at UNM. His victory Edmonton was his 13th of 2005. Two weeks ago he won the shot put at the Summer National Senior Games in Pittsburgh, Pa., with a national masters' record heave of 44 feet, 9 inches.
Next up for Koch is the European Championships in Spain in late August.
Contact: Greg Remington, (505) 925-5520