USAR NCO wins second Pentathlon National Championship

Story by 1LT Marshall Hudson

Photos by Stacey Knobler

USA Track and Field Masters National Championships

Orono, Maine

August 8, 2002

 

The U.S. Army Reserves SFC James Barr wins his second National Pentathlon Title at the 2002 USA Track and Field Masters National Championships.  SFC Barr, an Acting First Sergeant with the 11th Psychological Operation Battalion out of Washington, D.C. successfully defended the title he won last year in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  The Pentathlon in track and field is contested over one day and consists of the Long Jump, Javelin, 200 meter sprint, Discus, and the 1500 meter run.  Each event is scored by points and totaled at the end of each event to determine the leader and further at the end of the competition day after the 1500m to determine an overall winner. 

 

After a close Long Jump competition, SFC Barr led by only a few points over two other athletes.  In the next event, the Javelin, Barr launched the winning throw on his first attempt nearly 13 feet farther than anyone else.  This would prove to be his highest event point total of the meet taking a commanding lead over his opponents.  “If you win the first two events you have a tremendous psychological advantage over the competition,” commented an elated Barr. 

  By no means was the competition over.  Several competitors had run outstanding 200 meter times going in to the meet.  Leading by 124 points after the javelin SFC Barr turned in a good performance inthe 200 m that only relinquished 11 points of his lead.   “I knew there were several competitors that could run some great times in the 200 m.  I simply had to strategize to keep the overall lead.  I knew I had to stay within 10 meters of the two top challengers to have a shot at winning the title…thinking my discus would be strong enough to give me a point advantage going into the 1500 meters. “ 

 

The discus proved a nail biter.  SFC Barr got off a decent throw at the onset but not enough to secure a win.  Throw number two was a “shank” out of the hand as they call it.  But with the pressure on, Barr delivered the winning throw by over 20 feet on his third attempt.  “I knew that was it.  I just relaxed and hit the power position perfectly and let it go.”

Going into the 1500 meters the second place competitor would have to run a 4:30, quite a challenging task.  It was a tough race, but Barr came through pacing himself to finish with time to spare, 65 points ahead of the All-American Standard. The results were tallied and SFC Barr won by over 300 points. 

 

Barr later went on to successfully defend his open Javelin title from 2001 and also brought home a silver medal in the High Jump, and bronze medals in the Shot Put, Discus, and Long Jump.

 

SFC Barr competes for Potomac Valley Track Club as a Masters All-American in Arlington, VA where he has been Athlete of the Year in 2000, 2001, and 2002. He also coaches local youth and senior athletes. As an Army Reservist for over 11 years he has been deployed to Bosnia and recently won the NCO of the Year for the 2nd Psychological Operations Group under the U.S. Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command. SFC Barr was a prior active duty airborne infantry soldier and also served with the U.S. Presidential Honor Guard in Washington, D.C. 

 

He will be attending the World Masters Games in Melbourne, Australia in October. “I believe this is the most important event of which I will ever be a part. Considering all the country has been through this year, I feel it’s the best time to represent the U.S. and the U.S. Army Reserve on the world stage.” At these Games, the largest ever held, there will be competitors from over 95 countries.  The games are held every 4 years.  A fund has been set up to assist U.S. athletes like SFC Barr in going to the Games.  If you are interested in helping please send contributions to PVTC c/o Going to the Games Fund 3161 S. Stafford St. Arlington, VA  22206.

 
  RESULTS: ------------------------------------------------------------------
  1 Barr, SFC James E #45              
     USAR/PVTC             6.04m     54.35m     25.11     38.21m     5:31.54
     Points:        2865      (595)      (653)        (597)     (628)        (392)
                              -------------------------------------------------
  2 Sanfilippo, David C #820      
      Unattached              5.49m     50.67m     24.44     25.25m     5:18.84
      Points:        2560     (479)      (599)        (654)      (372)        (456)
                              -------------------------------------------------
  3 Krause, Jeff S #515               
     Unattached               5.18m     38.27m     25.00     31.99m     4:53.34
     Points:        2543       (417)      (417)        (606)     (504)        (599)
                              -------------------------------------------------
  4 Melton, James #628           
    Camden City PD         6.03m     31.97m     23.75     26.60m      5:25.96
    Points:         2453       (593)      (327)        (716)     (398)         (419)
                              -------------------------------------------------
  5 Jones, John I #477            
    PVTC                          5.80m     43.27m      23.97    29.37m     6:12.46
    Points:         2398       (544)      (490)         (696)     (452)        (216)
                              -------------------------------------------------
  6 Roux, Michael #810               
     Syracuse Chargers   6.01m     46.35m     DNF      28.10m      5:26.78
     Points:       1966         (589)      (535)        (0)         (427)        (415)
                               -------------------------------------------------
 
 PHOTOS INCLUDED WITH STORY:

  SFC Barr (on right) neck and neck for 1st place in the Pentathlon 200m on a rainy track at the 2001 USA Track and Field Masters Nationals in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  Barr went on to win by over 200 points. 

 

Barr Long Jumping to a 1st place at 2002 USA Track and Field Masters Nationals in Orono, Maine.