Johnston Ewing Article (M61)

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http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/ ... 282165.htm

Senior moments

Competitors dash perceptions

By JAMES JONES

THE SUN HERALD


GULFPORT - Johnston Ewing resembles former Oakland Raiders wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff. In more ways than one.


Biletnikoff, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, displayed remarkable jumping ability during his 14-year NFL career, helping Oakland win a Super Bowl in 1976.


Ewing showed similar skills at the 2005 Senior Games on Thursday morning at the Gulfport Track Complex, winning the pole vault competition.


The Memphis resident won the overall pole vault competition with a vault of 9 feet. He easily outjumped the other competitors by 1½ feet. He narrowly missed clearing 10 feet.


Pole vaulting has changed drastically since Ewing began competing as a ninth-grader during the 1959-60 school year at Farleigh (Tenn.) High School.


"I'm still trying to learn the new way," Johnston said. "It's a different technique. When I did it, we landed on our feet with a stiff pole. Now, you land on your back and the poles bend."


Ewing, who turned 61 on Wednesday, knows plenty about track and field. The former teacher spent 30 years as a track coach in Memphis.


Accompanying Ewing to South Mississippi was his younger brother, Bubba. Johnston won the 60-64 year-old age group last year.


"He's been doing this for a long time, and is good at it," Bubba said.


Two other South Mississippi residents also won pole vault titles in their respective age groups on an overcast, windy morning.


John O'Dwyer of Gautier won the 60-64 age group with a solid jump of 7 feet, 6 inches. He captured a medal in the event for the second straight year.


"I didn't know they had a pole vault event for seniors because it looks too dangerous for us," O'Dwyer said. "I went to pole vault school in Jonesboro, Ark., and jumped 7 feet there."


Former Long Beach track-coach-turned-city-councilman Jerry Rouse also cleared 7 feet, 6 inches to win the 65-69 year-old division. Rouse coached Long Beach track from 1991 to 1998.


"It's a challenge," Rouse said. "All sports have a challenge. I hope to make the same jump at the Nationals (in June at Pittsburgh)."

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Mr. Ewing is one special guy. I've never seen him not smiling.