Former Nanuet Knight Sets World Record, Wins Gold in World Masters Tournament

Thaddeus Wilson graduated from Nanuet High School in 1969 and is a member of the Nanuet High School Sports Hall of Fame and a former RCPSAL record holder for the 120 yard high hurdles and 180 yard low hurdles. 

Even though 1969 was a long time ago, he's still going strong. He participated in the World Masters Track and Field Championships in Sacramento, CA, during the month of July. He won several gold medals and set a new world record.

"I would like credit some of my success to my parents Clara and Saunders (for the genes) and to former Nanuet High track coach Dave Hanson, who recognized something in me when I was in seventh grade and steered me into hurdling," Wilson said, who currently lives in Oxnard, CA.

During the competition, he won gold medals in

• M60 300 meter hurdles (45.42 seconds) on July 11
• M60 100 meter hurdles (14.37 seconds)
• M60 4X100 Relay (47.93 seconds)

In the M60 100m short hurdles, he set a world record time of 14.37 seconds, beating the previous world record of 14.62 seconds set by Courtland Gray of the United States in 2004. He won silver in the M60 100 meter dash (12.59 seconds) and finished fourth in the M60 long jump (5.21 meters, 17 feet 1.25 inches).

 His team members in the relay were Charles Allie, 63, from Pennsylvania, Leo Sanders, 60, and Ralph Peterson, 61, both from California.

The outdoor Masters World Championship meets are held every two years. Wilson attended his first one in 2003 in Caroline, Puerto Rico and have made it to every Masters World Championship since.

"In 2003, I injured myself during the 100 meter dash semi-finals and had to retire from the meet," he said. "I won a silver medal in the M50 100 meter hurdles in 2005 in San Sebastian, Spain. The 2007 meet was in Riccione, Italy and I won gold medals in the M55 100 meter hurdles and M55 400 meter hurdles. In 2009 the meet was in Lahti, Finland. I won a gold medal in the M55 100 meter hurdles, silver medal in the M55 400 meter hurdles, and bronze medal for the M55 4X100 relay. Winning a hurdle race always feels good. Winning in these meets is special because you are in front of people from all over the world."

He also competed in the USATF Masters Track & Field Championships and won numerous national titles in the 100 meter hurdles, 400 meter hurdles and long jump.

At these meets, you can try any event you want. Wilson is primarily a hurdler/sprinter/horizontal jumper but has competed in the shot put, discus and indoor pentathlon.

Patch asked if he had a message for fellow Nanuet Knights back home that may be on a similar path to his:

"Go for it.  This is my tenth year doing Masters track and I love it.  I have made some good friends over the years. Going to a National or World championship meet is like attending a high school reunion because some of these people you only get to see once a year or every two years. I enjoy the competitiveness and camaraderie of masters track.

In the sprinter community, about 30 minutes before a race there is very little conversation amongst us. When you get to the starting line, our main goal is to beat the guy in the lane next to you. Once we cross the finish line and the race is over, we’re talking about training routines, kids/grandkids, where to go for dinner, etc..."