Meeting President Obama

MEETING PRESIDENT OBAMA

From Thayer:

More than two months have passed since the Olympics but the memories remain fresh and positive.

I hear from Mike every so often and was excited when he sent me a picture taken when the U.S. Olympic team visited the White House in late September. Now Mike and Keron Stoute (MHS 09') can argue over what is the bigger deal: Keron met the Queen of England at the Commonwealth Games in 2014, and now Mike has met President Obama.

I'm also happy to report that Mike plans on visiting Manchester later this month and I am looking forward to seeing him.

Looking back on the whole Olympic experience I am grateful to have had the opportunity to witness so many outstanding athletes and performances. At times I feel as though it was an unreal experience, However, whenever some asks me about the trip I still remember the excitement in the air, the feel of the cool night air, the smells of the food and  the cheering crowds.  I can't help but smile at how blessed I was to be there and watch history unfold. Watching Mike reach the highest level in all of sports -- it is difficult to put into

words accurately.

Through all of Mike's success and achievements he is still a focused determined man that is humbly great full for all of God's blessings

FLYING HOME

From Thayer:

As I settle into my seat for an overnight flight back to the States, I am filled with so many memories: 

Like the noise of the crowd when Usain Bolt walked into the stadium. The overwhelming emotions watching Mike compete at the Olympics.  The stunning beauty of the ocean, mountains and forests.  The absolutely awe inspiring Christ the Redeemer statue.

This journey began many years ago when I met Mike in a Phys Ed class -- we just didn't know it at the time. Mike jumped at the Olympics 25 years to the day my athletic career ended.  I am fairly sure that was not a coincidence.

As Crosby, Stills and Nash sing, "Spirits are using me / Larger voices calling" in Southern Cross.

But I will tell you the journey is not over not by a long shot. To see the man Mike is today is, well, he is an incredible man but he is still Mike from Manchester.

I still see that smile that Felicia Falkowski (another PE  teacher would talk about whenever Mike’s name comes up.   I see the same young man that Charlie Vousden and Carl Bujaucius mentored in STARS (Mike specifically wanted to thank them).

And I see Paul Mondor and Larry Bowie --my high school coaches. These two men altered the direction of my life -- and I am standing on their shoulders. Although they retired from coaching many years ago they continue to coach through me.  Thanks, coaches -- you changed my life.

So here is what keeps coming back to me: Dream great dreams.  Surround yourself with people that have great dreams also. Take advantage of opportunities (Mike was a basketball player) and persevere.

"When all hope was gone in faith he hoped on" because life is going to come at you and you will fail and you will fall. But it is worth it. It's worth it.

Mike had a special treat for his old coach on Thayer's last day in Rio.

A SPECIAL VISIT

Thayer writes: "So I spent my last day in Rio as Michael's guest at the USA house on Ipanema Beach it was an exciting time I met Gold Medalists Olympians both past and present. I had a great experience." To see more photos click here.

SEEING THE SIGHTS

Thayer visited the famous Escadaria Selaron -- famous steps that were where Snoop Dogg and Pharell Williams recorded the music video "Beautiful." He also visited Metropolitana de São Sebastião (an "amazing church" says Thayer). Also, "I waited hours to see Christ the Redeemer. The wind was blowing about 40 miles an hour ... you had to lean into the wind then some rain. The crazy thing was the rain was being blown up the mountain. The rain was not falling on you it was coming from below -- all in all an incredible experience." You can see the photos on our Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1797935403785956&id=1677756609137170

Mike Hartfield with Thayer in Copacabana

THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES

"So I wanted to fill you in on some of the trip," Thayer wrote in an email that arrived last night.

Here are the highlights, with some info added from texts that have trickled in the past few days:

First, as was planned, he move out of the room he was renting for his three nights and is now staying in a hostel by Copacabana Beach.

"I have met so many great people," he writes, including two nurses -- one from British Colombia and the other from Australia. They met years ago and plan vacations together to attend the Olympics, and this in their third such trip.

"I've also so met English fans on the subway to Copacabana," he writes,."They are so proud of their country."

Here's more:
  

Lunch with two long jumpers:
Mike (left) and Tyrone Smith of Bermuda

"I met an Italian family that came for the love of the sport. So many Brazilians excited about  cheering for their country  I met an Israeli father and two younger children that offered to share a cab after one of the competitions. I met Cuban fans on the train."

"I met Andrew Evans, a US Discus thrower and his family on the way up to see Christ The Redeemer (which is a huge statute of Jesus Christ in Rio.)"

"I have had a crash course in the culture.  And I have tasted some great food.  At all tourist venues, athletic venues and train/subway stops I have seen security, police, military. So I have felt safe."

Has he had any problems?

"Once my Uber driver got lost so I decided to walk ... not the best neighborhood but I found some of the best brick oven pizza in the world  so it all worked out and I had a good walk to burn off the calories."

Here are some final thoughts (for now anyway):

"This has been a dream come true. I have always wanted to see Rio. I have dreamed of the Olympics from the time I started running. As a coach to see one of your athletes make it to the highest level in the world -- it is so humbling  I can't thank Mike enough for sharing this experience with me," 

MIKE COMES UP SHORT

First things first:

Mike didn't qualify for tonight's long jump finals. He had three jumps in the qualifying round and one was thrown out because he stepped beyond the takeoff board. The other two were measured at 7.66 meters -- which equals 25.1 inches. He needed to reach 25.9 inches to qualify (and, by way of comparison, has a personal best of 27 feet three inches).

You can read the story at left in its entirety here, and note that sportswriter Matt Conyers is also an MHS grad. 

Also, we also included a picture that was tweeted out last night of a group led by Justis Lopez that gathered at Buffalo Wild Wings to watch on TV. Justis is an MHS grad, a current MHS teacher, a friend of Mike's and -- like so many others in town -- extremely proud, regardless of how last night went.

As for Thayer? He checked in yesterday from the stadium and hopefully will be back in touch from Rio again today.

THAYER REACHES BRAZIL

Tall and tan and young and lovely 
The girl from Ipanema goes walking 
And when she passes, each one she passes 
Goes "A-a-a-h"

That's how Frank Sinatra's version of the song goes (go ahead, give it a listen).

Our own Thayer Redman was on Ipanema Beach today. Copacabana, too. Yep, he made it to Rio, where tomorrow he will be in Olympic Stadium watching Mike Hartfield attempt to qualify for Saturday's long jump finals.

There are more of his pictures embedded in a video that's on the MPSPride Facebook page. Otherwise, we don't have a lot to share. Thayer sent a few cryptic notes by text: "Long flight long day but worth it" and "very safe lots of police and soldiers" and "very festive."

Exciting stuff!

THE TAKEOFF 

For long-jumpers, takeoff refers to those final couple of steps after the approach -- and it's a crucial if they are to reach their maximum distance.

For Thayer, though, takeoff today referred to the ascent of his American Airlines flight, headed to Miami for a layover followed by an overnight flight to Rio.

He was joined at Logan airport by son Cal and daughter Piper, who will be 10th and 9th graders, respectively, at RHAM in the fall.

Cal, by the way, is already 6-foot-3 and looking like he might be quite the athlete himself.

A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP

Thayer Redman is Rio-bound tomorrow (Wednesday).

Mike Hartfield competes Friday and -- if he is among the top 12 -- in the Olympic long jump finals Saturday.

There’s lots ahead but for today’s blog entry we’ll take one last look back -- at the bond between coach and athlete.

Starting with the 2005-06 school year at MHS:

Thayer -- who has now taught and coached track for 22 years -- has an eye for talent and potential.

“You could see he had physical skills,” he said, recalling his impression of Mike Hartfield when the then-sophomore was in Thayer’s PE class. “I encouraged him to come out for track and I give him credit for trying. A lot of kids stick to just what they are good at -- and he was good at basketball.”

That first year, Thayer said there was nothing to indicate that Mike would ever be as good a long jumper as he turned out to be. “But he liked the event, he liked the competition, and he applied himself, he stuck with it.”

Junior year, Mike joined the indoor track team -- and Thayer remembers him practicing in G47 (the small gym downstairs). The run-up was shorter than outside, and instead of landing in a dirt pit he landed on a pile of high jump mats.

“He was easy-going. He liked to have fun -- but you could see him become more and more focused,” Thayer said. “What separated Mike was his commitment, his perseverance, his drive.”

Mike’s high school years were marked by lots of honors (including state and NE long jump titles and All-American status), and Thayer spent a lot of time with Mike -- traveling to elite meets and invitational events.

Thayer’s favorite trip was to Saco, Maine (which is where he went to high school ) for the New Englands. A bunch of MHS students qualified, so they went up by bus and stayed overnight -- working in a visit to Old Orchard Beach, having fun in an arcade.

Those kind of experiences deepened their relationship, and Thayer and Mike kept in touch when he moved along -- first to junior college in Illinois and then to Ohio State. There, Mike broke Jesse Owens’ long jump record and developed into one of the best long jumpers in the country and world.

But Mike never abandoned Manchester, even after his father died and his mom suffered a stroke and moved away.

"He came back when he could," Thayer said. "Usually in the spring when the college season was over but we were still in school."

Thayer said Mike is a natural as a coach -- and would happily and effectively work with the MHS jumpers when he could.

Regarding Mike’s demeanor, Thayer says this:

"As fierce a competitor as he is, Mike has a classic old-school attitude. He's just a true sportsman. No trash-talking. No shoving or pushing on the track. Always wishing his opponent good luck. Things like that."

One year, Mike was back at the same time as Jacob Devalve (who had gone to Liberty) and Keron Stoute (who had gone to Bethune-Cookman). The three had all been great athletes at MHS and were, at that time, doing great in college -- each the captain of his college track team.

They all went to lunch at Woodbridge Pizza (with Thayer's son tagging along) and Thayer found himself marveling at the experience.

"I've always told our athletes that they should surround themselves with people who have similar goals, who are as highly motivated as they are," Thayer said, adding that lunch that day was a powerful demonstration about how motivated, talented people can somehow push each other to great heights.

Thayer  said he had the same feeling -- and preached the same message to his student/athletes  -- a couple of months ago, when in short order Seth Devalve (now with the NFL Cleveland Browns) and Mike visited MHS.

"When does something like that happen?" Thayer said.

After graduation from Ohio State, Mike had signed a contract with Adidas because he had, as Thayer put it, "podium potential." Mike has been based in Chula Vista, Calif., since but has been traveling the world to track meets.

When Mike was at the Olympic trials earlier this summer, Thayer happened to be on vacation with his family at the beach in Misquamicut. They watched on TV, and Thayer was getting texts from Mike Bendzinski -- another MHS coaching legend who was at the trials in Oregon -- and between those texts and updates on the computer the story unfolded.

And as we all now know, Mike didn't make the cut at first.

“I felt heartache, confusion, sadness,” Thyer said, but that gave way to hope when news of Dendy’s injury broke.

Everything changed at the end of July, though, and Thayer is thrilled to have the chance to support Mike in person.

And what does Mike think of Thayer? Here’s what he posted on Facebook a few weeks ago, under a picture of him posing with his old coach:

“Went from 16 with no life direction to 26 and preparing for my first Olympic Games! I have a lot of love for this guy right here! Coach Redman is the one who took me under his wing back when I didn't even know track was an actual sport! Thankful for the positive people God has strategically placed in my life and Wm Thayer Redman is definitely one of them! #NoPlaceLikeHome”

MIKE AT MHS

Check out these photos from our archives:

WHAT ABOUT ZIKA?

Thayer, we’ve got to ask:

Are you worried about the Zika virus? Or the threat of terrorism? Or crime? Or water quality?

“Not really,” he said, referring to the various plot lines that have been getting so much attention leading up to and into the Brazil Olympics.

Not surprisingly, he had to get shots -- to protect against hepatitis A and typhoid -- and also plans to be sure to use bug spray.

Crime? “You just have to be aware of your surroundings.”

Water quality? “Bottled water.”

Terrorism? “You can’t live your life worried about things like that.”

He has gone to Mexico with his family on mission trips -- once, when there was a lot of noise about Swine Flu.

“When we got there it was hardly an issue,” he said, noting that things sometimes get hyped up in the media.

So, yes, he’ll be cautious but not overly anxious because he wants to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime trip. Thayer is focused on watching Mike Hartfield but said there are other connections he’ll pursue. He knows Donn Cabral (the steeplechaser from  Glastonbury) and Stephanie Blozy (of West Hartford’s Fleet Feet -- the folks behind the little Manchester Road Race). He also hopes to meet up with George Mendros, the track coach in Thayer’s hometown of Saco Maine.

And just traveling out of the country is complicated enough -- for example, he had to get a ‘quad-band’ phone so he can make phone calls home.

“I’m excited,” Thayer said. “I’ll be cautious but I’m not worried.”

FLASHBACK! Who's in this photo?

This picture was taken in 2008, after MHS finished second in the Class LL state meet. That's Mike Hartfield in the orange shirt. But who are the rest of the guys?

Front row from L to R: Jacob DeValve, Matt Almieda, Mike Hartfield, Keron Stoute,  Brice Edwards, Shawn Thomas, Colby Welch

Back row L-R: We're not sure who is over Mike's right shoulder  but over his left shoulder is Mike Judd (who has a Super Bowl ring w/ the New England as a strength coach. then another Not Sure followed by Nick Ayeung, David Krinjak, Seth DeValve (now with the Cleveland Browns) and Marty Edgington. 

Anyone with info on the two unnamed students or updates on anyone in the photo is welcome to share information by emailing b11jfarr@mpspride.org.

THAYER’S TICKET TO RIO

It’s tickets, plural, actually. Thayer has an American Airlines flight from Logan to Miami on Wednesday, and then a two-hour layover followed by a 12-hour overnight flight to Rio.

His other tickets -- to the long jump competition itself -- come courtesy of Mike, who is making sure that his old coach will be in the stadium when he competes on Friday (in the qualifying rounds) and Saturday (if he reaches the finals).

“It’s a dream come true,” Thayer said of his trip to the Olympics.

Mike tried to qualify in 2012 but finished sixth at the U.S. trials -- and for the past four years Thayer has been rooting for Mike to qualify in ‘16 and hoping he’d somewhere be able to go and watch.

Thayer mused about it to his wife, Susan but never said anything to Mike.

However, two months ago, Mike had a track meet in Boston, and he spent a few days beforehand at MHS, working out and visiting.

Susan took Mike aside and mentioned Thayer’s interest -- and Mike promised that if he reached the Olympics, he would get Thayer a ticket.

Thayer went to the meet in Boston (on June 18) and he hugged and thanked Mike for the gesture -- but both of them knew the offer was moot if Mike didn’t qualify.

Optimistically, Thayer booked a room in Rio (it’s literally a room -- in someone’s condo about a half mile from the stadium) with a cancellation date of Aug. 3. Like Mike, he spent an anxious July, wondering about Marquis Dendy’s status (see earlier entry).

“It was getting close,” said Thayer, who didn’t learn until July 28 that Mike would be competing in Brazil.

Thayer is staying in the condo three nights (Thurs-Fr--Sat) then moving on for three more days of sightseeing/vacationing at nearby Copacabana Beach. (Yep, that one.)

Is he worried about Zika? Or crime? Or water quality? Or anything?

Check back tomorrow and you’ll find out.

A LITTLE

SCREEN TIME

Yep, that's our own Mike Hartfield shown on TV during Opening Ceremonies. This was captured by Thayer Redman, who was watching closely at home in anticipation of his trip to Rio next week to watch Mike in the long jump competition.

MIKE'S TICKET TO RIO

It might be hard to pick him out of the crowd, but watch closely tonight and you'll see Mike Hartfield marching into Olympic Stadium with his U.S team that includes flag-bearer Michael Phelps.

Brimming with color and pageantry, the Opening Ceremonies are highly anticipated, watched by millions, an event unlike any other.

Mike will surely remember this day forever.

Mike Hartfield, Olympian

Meanwhile, Marquis Dendy will (presumably) be watching on TV down in Gainesville, Florida. That’s because Marquis’ injury opened up Mike’s spot.

Short version: Mike was favored to be among the top three at the US trials last month and thus qualify for the Olympics, but his best jump -- 27 feet, 6 and a half inches -- was one inch short. However, qualifier Dendy hurt himself on his last jump and after a month of scrutiny from doctors was told he couldn’t compete. Last Friday  (July 28) Mike was added to the team.

(Matt Conyers, himself an MHS grad, wrote a detailed account for the Hartford Courant.)

Here’s Thayer:

“We were all so disappointed when Mike missed out. But  I texted him saying I was proud of the man he was and that how far he had jumped would never change that.”

Thayer said Mike responded with a ‘Thanks Coach’ but also told him about Marquis’ injury -- and the chance that he might later be added to the team.

Then last Friday, Mike called Thayer with the good news.

“I was like, ‘Amen Amen,’” Thayer said. “There you go!”

Mike’s dream was realized, but Marquis’ was dashed -- and in a video he posted on Facebook Marquis shares his story. He seems like a terrific young man who’s handling things admirably. You can see it here: https://www.facebook.com/CheckTheSky?fref=ts

As Thayer says, Marquis Dendy is clearly “one classy guy.”

Thayer says the same about Mike, who also has a social media presence. Here are the obligatory links:

https://www.facebook.com/michaelhartfield?fref=ts

https://twitter.com/flighthartfield

https://www.instagram.com/flighthartfield/

Mike, as a long jumper, knows better than most that life is a series of ups and downs. Now you know a little more about how he punched his ticket to Rio.

How did Thayer’s trip come together? We’ll have that story tomorrow.

ABOUT MIKE, THAYER -- AND THIS BLOG

Mike Hartfield was a sophomore at Manchester High back in the 2005-06 school year when he found himself in a PE class taught by Thayer Redman -- who also served as the MHS track coach.

Thayer could tell Mike was a good athlete and encouraged him to join the spring track team. Mike did, and did well -- eventually becoming a state and NE champ and an All-American.

Thayer and Mike when he competed
at a meet in  in Boston two months ago.

As a college athlete, Mike really flourished -- even breaking a long jump record at Ohio State held by the legendary Jesse Owens.

Since graduating, he's been with the U.S. Track Team (based in Chula Vista, Calif.) prepping for (he hoped) the chance to qualify for the Olympics -- and just about a week ago learned he'd be competing in Rio de Janeiro.

Thayer kept in touch all along, offering encouragement and support, and over the years Mike has come back to Manchester when he's had the opportunity.

Thayer also had long dreamed of going to the Olympics if Mike made it -- and if you keep reading this blog for the next few days you'll learn how this trip came to be.

In fact, this blog will have lots more detail about two journeys: Mike's years of training that culminated in a stressful, drama-filled final month before the Olympics, and Thayer's frenetic arrangements to make a trip his Brazil.

The world will be watching and there are lots of subplots and stories. There will be plenty of coverage on NBC and elsewhere of the competition and the country itself, with its dirty water and Zika scare and everything else.

Our focus will be quite narrow -- on just two of the hundreds of thousands of people who'll be in Brazil.

Mike will be marching in the Opening Ceremony tomorrow and is scheduled to compete the following Friday (qualifying) and Saturday (hopefully, because that's the long jump finals).

Thayer is leaving on Wednesday and will be in the stands watching as Mike competes. Our plan is for Thayer to send back pictures and anecdotes and whatever, and we'll share them on this blog.

We'll also have much more background to share leading up to the long jump competition.

"From Manchester to Rio." Pretty heady stuff. We hope you follow along.

-- Jim Farrell, MPS communications director