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CLOUDY Temp: 45 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Wednesday, February 19, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend January 21, 2003 Vince Sempronio was named male field-event athlete of the year for the 75-79 age division by USA Track and Field. Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli He’s still going strong By KEVIN GOFF Mail Tribune Retirement hasn’t slowed Vince Sempronio. Not even a near fatal accident three years ago could stop the 76-year-old from reaching the top. The Medford resident holds two American records in weight throws, is ranked No. 3 in the world in the 16-pound weight throw, has won hundreds of medals from various competitions and was recently selected the male field-event athlete of the year in the 75-79 age division at the annual USA Track and Field convention in Kansas City, Mo. "It’s as big of an honor as I’ve had since I started doing this," says the 5-foot-9, 210-pound Sempronio, who also received the award in 1996. "I’ve been at it a while, so it’s nice to get a little recognition." It was the second straight year Sempronio has received the honor, and it would have been three if not for an accident that left him hospitalized for over a week at the end of 1999. An ocean wave knocked Sempronio from a jetty in Crescent City, Calif. The force sent Sempronio some 7 feet into the air, according to witnesses, and onto some rocks below, leaving him with several broken ribs and a lacerated liver and kidney. An entire year of competition was lost due to the accident. But, much like the rest of his life, he wouldn’t be down for long. Sempronio was back and competing the next year and then turned in his finest performance in the 2002 season. At the Masters Weight and Super Weight National Championships in Seattle in early September, Sempronio grabbed five gold medals and set the American record in the 16-pound weight throw with a mark of 43 feet, 7 inches. "I enjoy competing and it gives me a chance to do some traveling," says Sempronio, who has competed in New Orleans, Boston and at several events in Oregon and California. "I don’t get to all the events, but I try to make as many as I can." Sempronio was born in Reno, Nev., and lost his mother when he was only 8. He and his sisters moved into an orphanage in Carson City, Nev., where he spent his high school years. Following a two-year military stint in World War II, Sempronio attended San Jose State University. Although he ran track in high school, he didn’t pursue it in college. "I played some defensive back and running back in college," says Sempronio. "I was pretty quick but not very fast. "There’s a big difference. I could get past some guys but they’d catch me after 10 yards or so." Another military obligation, this time for the Korean War, set Sempronio’s career back a couple of years, but he finally ended up in McLeod, Calif., where he spent 31 years as a high school teacher and coach. Sempronio retired from teaching and track and field coaching in 1989. Later that year, he and his wife of 20 years, Charlotte, a Central Point native, moved to Medford, and he began competing in USA Track and Field Masters competitions. The entry age for the USATF Masters is 30 and is bracketed into five-year divisions. Sempronio, who began competing in the 65-69-year-old age group, also competed in the high jump, in which he once held an American record, but now sticks to the weight toss. The events are self-sponsored, and Sempronio, who enjoys a busy schedule, took up substitute teaching to help fund his trips. Currently, he is finishing up a teaching stint at North and South Medford high schools and does volunteer work for the driver safety program. He works out four days a week to stay in shape for his next competition. "I’m a pretty busy guy, but I like it that way," says Sempronio, who also keeps busy with his five children from a previous marriage and six grandsons. He’ll compete as long as his health will allow but also adds, "I don’t know, maybe it’s keeping me healthy. "When I first started competing, there was this elderly fellow from Washington," says Sempronio. "His name was Leon and he was in his 80s when I first met him about 10 years ago. I said to him ‘Leon, how do you keep on doing this?’ and he said to me, ‘Vince, the only reason I’m doing so well is I’m outliving the other guys.’" Not even age can slow him down. Reach reporter Kevin Goff at 776-4480 or e-mail [email protected] . Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search M Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy web master feedback A D V E R T I S E R S