It is measured in the response generated by Pereda’s post-meet e-mail to his WTB colleagues in Latin America, South America and McLean. In the note, he described the 24-member team’s championship perfomance at the late July event in Santa Barbara, Calif., and also how it managed to raise $12,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

"People offered their congratulations, but what they were genuinely pleased about was the community aspect of the event," says Pereda, a member of the 4x200 meter, President’s and Master’s Relay teams. "I think we touched a real nerve in people. Being a part of something good like this embodies the essence of the people at the firm. It’s Booz, Allen at its core."

By beating out 10 other teams in the category of firms up to 10,000 employees, Booz, Allen avenged USCAA second-place finishes in the last two years. In doing so they defeated second-place Sempra Energy, the winner for the last three years, and UNUM Life Insurance.

Most USCAA track & field events are relay or team-oriented and structured to reflect the age, gender and executive levels of a corporate environment. For instance, the President’s Relay is for upper management, while the 4x100m relay requires two men and two women, with at least one man and one woman age 40 or older. The USCAA is a U.S.-based, not-for-profit organization that promotes fitness for corporate employees and raises money for worthy causes.

The Charity Challenge

For its community efforts, Team Booz took home the USCAA Charity Cup for the third consecutive year. The award, presented to the company whose staff are the event’s leading fundraisers, is a Booz, Allen-inspired idea started in 1996, when the firm issued a "challenge" to fellow USCAA competitors to raise money for worthy causes.

This year’s BA&H-designated charity, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, grants wishes to children suffering from terminal or life-threatening illnesses; and, in particular, to a little California girl named Zoe, who was scheduled to attend the meet but couldn’t due to chemotherapy treatments. In three years, the firm has raised approximately $37,000 for charity, annually beating out larger companies like General Electric and Lockheed Martin.

Team Booz itself is a virtual United Nations of athletes, comprising WTB, WCB and Corporate staff from offices and countries around the world. Among the countries represented were the United States, Australia, Mexico, the Ukraine, Ghana and India. And in charge of putting it all together was Vienna, Va.-based WTB Associate Gordon Smith, a distance runner, team coach and long-time USCAA board member.

In most cases, the athletes trained for the event alone or in small groups, says Smith. Among the BA&H athletes winning individual events were Sarah Bunting (Philadelphia) in Women’s 5K (19:06) and David Kent (Arlington, Va.) in his age-group (third overall) in the Men’s 5K (16:12). And among the award winners was Smith himself, who was inducted during meet weekend into the USCAA Hall of Fame for his overall contributions to the organization.

Overall, the team’s fastest relay times were captured by the following members:

Other notable times came from Mike McKeon (New York), who helped take the President’s Relay and ran a 25.6 for 200 meters in the Sprint Relay; and, Marshall Contino (McLean), who proved that distance runners do have speed by clipping off a 54.6 for 400 meters in the Three-Lap Sprint Relay.

There were other memorable meet experiences. Pereda’s 14-year-old son, Luis, a sprinter on his high school track team in Miami, easily won the 100-meter Corporate Kids Race. There was the breathtaking setting with the track abutting the Pacific Ocean. There was the blow-out post-meet party. And most of all, says McKeon, a WCB Partner, "there was a real spirit of belonging on this team.

"People came away with a real glow, a pride that we were competing for a good cause and having fun at the same time," says McKeon, who ran the 200-meter and 800-meter relays. "People should realize that there are other things like this to do - events that are fun and help the community. All of it helps regain that sense of belonging, which Booz, Allen has lost as we’ve grown over the years. There was real camaraderie here."

Indeed, it was that friendly team spirit, the opportunity to meet people from around the firm and particularly the chance to help those in need, that motivated Baxter. "It was an acute reminder that behind the competition was the charity," says the Melbourne-based WCB Associate. "Competing was fantastic. Contributing to a charity that helps children face their greatest challenge lifted it all to a new level."

McLean-based Receptionist Pamela Wusthof wouldn’t have it any other way. The 200-meter relay runner competes in charity racing events only and describes the USCAA meet and Booz, Allen as "a perfect match."

"It’s inspiring to run for a cause," says Wusthof, who joined the firm last year, but has competed at virtually all 21 USCAA Nationals. "The level of community involvement I see at Booz, Allen sets us apart from other companies. Competing here and watching everyone working together was really enjoyable and really satisfying."

Other team members: Chris Arey (Arlington); Errol Baker (McLean); Eric Cooper (McLean); Wesley Cooper (McLean); Naum Fefer (McLean); Robert Forsythe (McLean); Gary Hellenga (Colorado Springs); Charles Manahan (McLean); Michelle Mawicke (Tampa); Joanie Pitts (McLean); and Gita Vora (Washington, D.C.).

(This article includes draft exerpts from the 1998 USCAA Nationals video,
available from the USCAA membership/order form )

With a late July heat wave gripping most of the country, Santa Barbara was a welcome relief with its cooler temperatures, ocean breezes, and spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean.

USCAA HALL OF FAME

Each year the USCAA honors a select few who have run the extra mile by investing their time and effort. At the 1998 Nationals, Zara Hyde from Exxon, Tom Blake from UNUM and Gordon Smith from Booz•Allen & Hamilton were honored for their excellence and years of commitment by being inducted into the USCAA Hall of Fame.

The celebrity host for the Œ98 Nationals was 1976 Olympic Gold and Silver Medalist Fred Newhouse. An employee of Exxon, Newhouse is also the treasurer of USA Track & Field.

The 1998 Nationals was hosted the USCAA’s annual captain, members and board meetings. The new list of USCAA board members is shown on page two.

COMPETITION

The Division I teams returned to Santa Barbara with very competitive battles expected in both Division IA and IAA. Past winners GE and Lockheed-Martin were expected to be tested by Lucent Technologies, in their second year as a corporation separate from former parent AT&T, and already established as an emerging power; and Exxon, the perenial dark horse of the division.

US West, on the strength of a much-improved team, was looking to end the dominance that Texas Instruments and The Principal Financial Group established over the last three years in Division IAA.

In Division IIA, the battle for first place was up in the air with UNUM’s decision to drop down into Division II after a four-year stint in the ³big leagues² of Division I. Battling UNUM would be Sempra Energy, formerly Pacific Enterprises, and Booz•Allen & Hamilton. These teams have all gradually improved over the years. UNUM had won four Division II titles years ago, with Sempra Energy winning the last four Division IIA championships. Booz•Allen, in only its fourth year of competition, gradually moved up to a close second place finish last year. TRW and Enron rounded out Division IIA with small but talented teams.

In the smaller Division IIAA, Aerospace and Ruan battled over the crown, having traded championships over the past two years. The five-member LG&E Plus team competed for guts and glory, and at least a third place finish, while Texas Capital Advisors only came to compete in and win one event - the Team Throw.

MAKE-A-WISH / SPECIAL OLYMPICS

A big part of USCAA tradition is a commitment to support worthwhile causes. In 1998, USCAA teams collected over $14,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America _®, a non-profit organization that grants wishes to children with terminal or life-threatening illnesses.

Additionally, the USCAA held a Unified Relay that paired two corporate runners with two Special Olympians per team in an exhibition 4x200 meter relay event.

COMING DOWN TO THE WIRE!

After a fiercely competitive Saturday, Sunday’s finals dawned with no clear favorites established in either division. Strong road race results by all the top teams signaled further tight battles in the track finals. Midway through Sunday, Division IA saw Exxon drop back in the standings and a battle energing between Lucent, Lockheed-Martin and GE. Ultimately, GE’s depth won out - despite more top-two finishes by both Lucent and Lockheed-Martin.

US West dominated Division IAA on the strength of their outstanding sprinting corps, headed by world-class sprinter Kevin Little.

In Division IIA, after five Saturday finals, Booz•Allen & Hamilton had four firsts and one second for an overall first place - just like last year. The question was whether the lead was enough to hold off the sprinters from UNUM, Sempra Energy and TRW. Booz•Allen hadn’t entered the two field events, knowing that their five lowest scores would be dropped anyway.

Sunday’s nine relay finals were distributed among the top teams in Division II fairly evenly, with Booz•Allen, UNUM, Sempra Energy, Aerospace, Ruan & TRW each capturing at least one relay victory.

In Division IIAA, Aerospace’s depth and speed launched them to a three-point victory over Ruan. LG&E Plus captured third place, while Texas Capital Advisors finished fourth.

At the post-meet party, though, team colors faded and everyone celebrated as champions, feasting on an abundance of food and beverage and dancing to the rock Œn roll songs of the Drivematics.

The 23rd annual 1999 USCAA National Corporate Track & Field Championships are coming your way July 17-18 at Los Gatos High School in Los Gatos, CA. Mark your calendars and be there!