The Greatest Female Track Star in Thurston County History: Patsy Walker (Pointer Now)
Patsy Walker-Pointer is at the far right in lane one in the picture above finishing ahead of Olympic Champion Jackie Joyner-Kersee. Patsy was running for Team Adidas in this picture.
Patsy (Walker) Pointer: World-Class Track & Field Athlete
As many of you know, I am writing the history of running and
Track and Field in Thurston County (located in the State of Washington).
My pick for the greatest female track athlete in Thurston County history is Patsy Walker (Pointer now).
Patsy singlehandedly won the state 1-A track championships for Yelm High School in 1977 by winning four events! Patsy is one of the few athletes in history to win a team state championship all by herself. Patsy was recently inducted into the Washington State High School Hall of Fame for her many accomplishments.
Patsy finished ahead of some of the best athletes in the world during her incredible Heptathlon career. For example, Patsy finished ahead of Olympic Gold medal winner and world record holder Jackie Joyner (Kersee) at the 1981 Collegiate Nationals. In addition, Patsy was on the world track and field team and served as the Olympic team alternate in the heptathlon.
Patsy was a teammate and friend of mine on the old Thurston County Striders Track and Field Club. The Thurston County Striders was an incredible track and field club in the 1970s that was led by Hall of Fame coach Dennis McDonald. The club was based in Lacey, Washington.
Take a look at some of Patsy's accomplishments:
Personal Bests High School
80ylh: 10.2 National HS Record Still Stands
Long Jump: 19’ 9 3/4” State High School Record Still Stands
Junior National Pentathlon: 4103 Record Still Stands
Personal Bests Overall
100mh: 13.10
High Jump: 6’ 1/4”
Shot Put: 49’ 10 34”
200m: 24.7
Long Jump: 20’ 4 1/4”
800m: 2:10.0
Indoor Collegiate Pentathlon: 4215 Record Still Stands
UCLA Track Team and University of Houston Track Team
Other Accomplishments
*National Age Group Champion and
Record Holder
*Junior Olympic Champion and Record Holder
*Washington State “A” Champion and Record Holder
*National Junior Pentathlon Champion and Record Holder
*Collegiate Indoor and Outdoor Champion and Record Holder (finished ahead of
Olympic Gold Medal winner Jackie Joyner-Kersee one year)
*USA vs USSR multi-event team member - Junior/Open divisions
*USA vs Canada Pentathlon/Heptathlon Team Member
*USA vs Germany Heptathlon Team Member
*World University Games Heptathlon Team Member
*1984 Olympic Team Member - Heptathlon
Alternate
I was blessed to know Patsy and to see her development from a local hero to a world-class athlete. We trained together for many years during the summer months as part of the old Thurston County Striders track and field team. We also attended the 1975 National Junior Olympic Championships together in Ithaca, New York during our high school days. Patsy was also incredible in the classroom. She was super smart academically.
Patsy is much more than a star track and field athlete. Her accomplishments still inspire young runners in our area to this day. I will never forget this incredible athlete and even better person.
Patsy Walker-Pointer is truly the best female track and field athlete in Thurston County history.
Blessings,
Coach Weber
Philippians 4:13
This picture of Patsy was taken during her high school years.
Patsy is in the Washington State Athletic Hall of Fame
Patsy is pictured above with her summer track and field coach Modris Petersons. The picture below that is Patsy winning a state hurdle championship in high school
This picture was taken in 1975 when Patsy and I were at the National Junior Olympic Championships in Ithaca, New York, during our high school years (the local paper inserted the pictures from local meets because they did not have photos of us at the actual national meet). I ran the 880-yard dash at Nationals that year, finishing a close second in the nation; Patsy ran the hurdles, finishing sixth. Patsy could run, jump, and throw better than anyone as a college athlete. She worked hard day in and day out to become one of the best Heptathlon athletes in the world.
Patsy and the author at the Washington State High School Pentathlon and Decathlon Championships in 1975. Patsy was a sophomore in High School in this picture. She set a state pentathlon record for the sophomore class at the meet.