Email
Print
Mooresville man sets two world records at Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: July 15, 2009
Mike Neese of Mooresville set two world records in Scottish athletic events in the 45-49 age category at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games on Sunday.
Neese, 47, a 6-4, 340-pound teacher and offensive line football coach at Mooresville High School, began his assault on the record books by tossing the sheaf 31 feet, 3 inches high to eclipse the previous world record of 31 feet. A sheaf in Scotland is a sack of hay and Neese tossed the 20-pound burlap sack over a bar with a pitchfork.
The final of seven Scottish athletic events comprising Games competition is tossing a 42-pound weight for height, also over a bar, and Neese closed out his big day with another world record. He tossed the weight 21 feet to break the old record of 20 feet, 2 inches set at the 2006 Grandfather Mountain Games.
Even at age 47, Neese's accomplishments are competitive with the best professional Scottish athletes in the world. His 42-pound weight toss obviously broke Grandfather Mountain's field record, set in 2006 and his 31 feet, 3 inch sheaf toss tied the old field record, regardless of age, until it was broken Saturday by Eric Frasure with a 33-foot toss.
Traditionally, four or five of America's top ten Scottish athletes compete annually at Grandfather.
Last weekend was Neese's 12th appearance at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games. He won the Amateur Scottish Athlete of the Games award during that span, but he hasn't won the top professional award.
But this was Neese's first Highland Games competition in two years. "Maybe the layoff rested me up," he quipped.
Email
Print
