1982 National High School XC Rankings
If you have ever been a part of a state championship team you know the feeling of accomplishment accompanied with victory. Each year there come very special programs across the country whom step beyond simply winning and into a realm of total domination. It is in these moments of triumph that the questions of a teams "greatness" are raised. Extraordinary accomplishments that warrant recognition and validation to set in stone once and for all, their XC Legacy.
(Recap) In 2004 Nike changed the face of prep cross country with the implementation of Nike Team Nationals. After decades the hopes and dreams of avid cross fans were finally realized. Hosted by Nike, NTN allowed the top xc programs in the nation to compete in one true national championship race at Portland Meadows. Many state associations do not allow prep teams to travel so teams register as clubs in order to compete in this post season event.
The true excitement of national team cross country stardom began with the publication of the Harrier magazine in 1974. The Harrier was the premier national high school cross country report. In 1989 Marc Bloom's Harrier magazine began publishing the Harrier Super 25 National XC Rankings. It was this publication and the excitement it created that would play a part in inspiring the formation of Nike Team Nationals. The Super 25 Rankings allowed teams around the country a national forum and an opportunity to win the coveted Harrier Super 25 National XC Championship released through the Harrier report.
Delving back in time, it is clear that the Harrier was a source of inspiration for teams throughout the country before those first national rankings in 1989. From 1980 until 1988 teams throughout the country competed at a national championship level without the recognition as true national cross country champions. Track & Field News used to have the "National Postal Competitions". In these events five runners on a team would compete in a two-mile on the track. For this reason, York, IL, has claimed that they own the national championship every year from the late 1960's until 1989. This is quite perplexing considering cross country is not a track event and not all cross country runners participate in track. What is clear is that York is not the only team to have dominant programs before 1988.
XC Legacy is going back to the years from 1980 until 1988, seeking to fill in those missing seasons with national rankings based upon individual team xc performances. We will begin with the boy's national champions from 1980-1988, releasing a new story until we complete this important time period in prep cross country. Perhaps now a spotlight can rest on those teams who deserve recognition for superior national performances.
1982 Cross Country
After an amazing state meet performance by Indiana in 1981, this years national rankings feature a more well rounded U.S. presence. Greatness does not begin to describe the extensiveness of these rankings. Contained within the 1981 rankings are "special" teams from the four corners of the country.
XC Legacy: 1982 Super "8" National XC Rankings
| 1. |
Carmel, IN |
Co-National Champion |
| 1. |
Tuba City, AZ |
Co-National Champion |
| 3. |
Bernards, NJ |
New Jersey Group I State Champion |
| 4. |
Cincinnati Elder, OH |
Ohio State Champion |
| 5. |
Conroe McCullough, TX |
Texas 5A State Champion |
| 6. |
Highland, ID |
Idaho Class A State Champion |
| 7. |
Sunset, OR |
Oregon AAA Champion |
| 8. |
York, IL |
Illinois AAA State Champion |
| 8. |
Willow Glenn, CA |
Northern California Champion |
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Honorable Mention
| College Station A&M Cons., TX; Murray, UT; Shadle Park, WA; Fort Wayne Northrop, IN; El Modena, CA |
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1. Carmel, Indiana: National Champions
On October 23, 2008, the Indy Star of Indianapolis, Indiana titled an article, “Coach Fullfills His Calling.” How fitting it was in regards to Carmel’s legendary coach Chuck Koeppen, this is what it says, “One state championship. That was Chuck Koeppen’s goal. Just one. Koeppen’s inspiration was his Valparaiso High School coach, Ken Pifer. Valparaiso was supposed to win the state cross country title in 1963, and didn’t. Pifer despaired. Soon thereafter, he died. His memory lives. At Carmel, Koeppen has won 21 state championships, more than any coach in Indiana high school history. After his first — in boys cross country in 1975 — he extended Pifer’s legacy. “Because I knew that’s all he ever wanted to do,” Koeppen said. . “Great things happened from there.”
Recently, we had the distinct opportunity to speak with this extraordinary man. The passion and love for the sport he coached for over 30 years could be felt in his voice as he shared his experiences about the Carmel cross country program. In regards to his 1981 National Championship team he claimed, “That team was the best team I coached and several people have ranked my ’81 team as the greatest team in Indiana State history.” He then continued, “You know, I always wanted to face Joe Newton’s York teams. I wrote Joe letters, I travelled to Illinois, each time Joe dodged me and would never face my teams. It is my opinion he did not want to face my teams because he knew they were better. While his teams ran on a 2.9 and 3.0 mile courses my runners beat his runners times over 5000 meters…and yet he claimed to be national champion. It is confusing because I always looked up to Joe.” A true statement considering the first running book Koeppen bought was Newton’s. Upon further inquiry into this subject Koeppen explained how he tried to travel to Illinois to face Newton, “There was this guy Skip Stolley, he organized this meet that was an Illinois/Indiana championship called the Illiana Classic held in Lansing, Illinois. Each year we would travel there and each year York would no-show. I always thought that odd that he would never bring his teams to face my teams. But I tell you, we blew the Illinois teams out of the water at that meet, I mean, no one was close. You know, in my state we have one race, one championship, at the end of the season we know who the best team in the state is and we always faced the top competition as a result.” What resinates with Chuck Koeppen was that his teams dodged noone. Forged in a state where to be the best you had to beat the best Koeppen was not keen on powerplaying and avoidance.
The 1982 Carmel cross country team was nothing less than stellar. In usual fashion Carmel breezed through the IHSAA Sectional, Regional, and Semi-State championships. This would mark the ninth straight Sectional, fifth straight Regional, and fourth straight Semi-State Championship. In a state known for national powerhouse programs and a historic state championship format, Chuck Koeppen continues to guide the Greyhounds to victory. Again, we see that it is the great IHSAA Indiana State Cross Country Championships which set the bar as the standard of excellence for the nation. History will record the 1980-1982 Indiana cross country teams as the best in Indiana history and perhaps U.S. history over a legitimate 5000 meter course. Lets meet the 1982 National Championship team.
XC Legacy: Carmel National Championship Team
| Carmel Varsity Team |
|
State Time (5000 Meters) |
| Dan Boston |
|
15:03.1 |
| Richie Garing |
|
15:09.1 |
| Leonard Bareford |
|
15:51.9 |
| Andy Foster |
|
15:52.8 |
| Tom Bellew |
|
16:04.4 |
| Stephen Nordhoff |
|
16:33.3 |
| Pete Kalesz |
|
16:36.8 |
1. Tuba City, Arizona: National Champions
Not customarily know as the cross country mecca of the U.S.; Arizona features several dehabilitating features. To begin, Arizona courses are brutal with rolling hills and most likely the most devastating 5000 meter courses in the country. The second struggle for Arizona teams is altitude! Often ranging between 3500 and 5000 feet, any athlete fortunate enough to compete on an Arizona course knows the pains associated with traversing the ups and downs of the Arizona trails.
In 1982, such a team emerged from Arizona that the likes of the state has never seen. Out of the Navajo Indian Reservation came one of the greatest teams in U.S. history. Not granted the ammeneties of the flat Indiana and Illinois courses the young men from Tuba City had numerous obstacles to overcome in their quest for perfection. Tuba City, a place 4,960 ft above sea level offered unique challenges of its own. Growing up on a reservation brings its own demands that few will ever appreciate. Running in Arizona while coming from these circumstances demands a tremendous resiliancy and individual determination. Tuba City was just that team.
Tuba City stormed through Arizona with a perfect season setting course records at every meet. Led by the incomparable Bud Davis and Assistant Charles Carter, Tuba City stormed into the state championships with true team depth. Competing in one of the most difficult states for 5000 meter courses in the U.S. Davis led the Tupa City team to a perfect season. Lets meet the National Champion Tuba City team.
1982 Tuba City Team Record
| Durango Colorado Invitational (Durango, Colorado) |
First Place (6,523ft alt.) |
| Peak Invitational (Flagstaff, Arizona) |
First Place (6,910ft alt.) |
| Las Vegas Invitational, Nevada |
First Place (2,001ft alt.) |
| Costa Mesa Invitational (Costa Mesa, California) |
First Place |
| Doug Conley Invitational, Arizona |
First Place (1,200ft alt.) |
| Tuscon Invitational @ Puma College |
First Place (2,389ft alt.) |
| Grants Invitational, New Mexico |
First Place |
| Tuba City Invitational |
First Place (4,960ft alt.) |
| Northern Arizona 4A Regional Championship |
First Place |
| Arizona State Championships |
First Place |
After an undefeated destruction of competition covering four states the Tuba City team entered the state championship with one goal in mind, utter annihilation. As expected Tuba City walked away with an Arizona State Championship record 24 total team points to defeat Nogales High 24-82. Covering one of the most difficult 5000 meter courses in U.S. history Tuba City finished their goal. Perhaps no team in recent history has faced as much adversity, overcome as much trial, and received so little recognition as the men from the 1982 Tuba City State Championship team. This would be the eight consecutive state championship for Bud Davis and the 11th in the previous 13 seasons. The favorite meet of the Warriors season was the Tuba City Invitational where the team scored a meet record 15 points while averaging near 16 minutes on a brutal 5000 meter course. So anticipated the news crew from Phoenix, Arizona came to film the race and interview the team as the top three tied for first place. Had Tuba been afforded the opportunity to compete on a course such as Detweiller Park most likely we would have seen the true potential of this remarkable team.
XC Legacy: Tuba National Championship Team
| Tuba City Varsity Team |
|
State Time (5000 Meters) |
| Andy Endischee |
|
16:29 |
| Milfred Tewawina |
|
16:33 |
| Ramson Sewingyawma |
|
16:57 |
| Phil Coolie |
|
17:18 |
| Leroy Black |
|
17:36 |
| Freddie Sellers |
|
17:37 |
| Stacy Talahytewa |
|
17:44 |
3. Bernards, New Jersey
In 1999, Harrier Magazine published a story featuring the historic Van Cortlandt Park. In that feature Marc Bloom declared “Vanny” America’s cross country Mecca. Over the annuals of Vanny’s history mega stars such as Alberto Salazar, Marty Liquori, and Alan Webb have traversed her trails. Each year tens of thousands of prep competitors seek the challenge of Vanny’s historic 2.5 mile course at the Manhattan Invitational. Looking back to the 1982 season we meet one of the first true dominant Eastern States teams.
Within the State of New Jersey no cross country program has been as dominant as Coach Edward Mather’s Bernards high school. Since 1969 the Mountaineers have amassed an astounding 130 meet win streak, not too shabby for a team with an overall cross country record of 190-3 over the previous nineteen years. Entering the 1982 season Bernards once again sought perfection.
Led by national phenom John Carlotti, Bernards sought a record 15th State Championship in 18 years. Carlotti, most commonly remembered for his victories at the Penn Relay Mile (4:06.3) and Fifth Avenue Mile (4:05.6) the following spring led one of the strongest programs in the history of the Eastern States entering the 1982 season. On October 24, 1982, the Carlotti led team travelled to the historic Van Cortlandt course to compete in the Eastern States Cross Country Championships. Following a dominant season the Mountaineers set their sights on staking claim as one of the top teams in the nation. In what went down as one of the great team performances in Eastern States history, Bernards scored a record low 38 points to claim the team championship. As a true indicator of team strength, Bernards averaged 12:54.42 over the 2.5 mile course with individual standout John Carlotti claiming individual victory in 12:23.6. The total team time ranked as #2 all-time according to the New York Times article on the event. At the time, Carlotti’s individual mark was 4th best all-time behind Dave Sandridge’s 12:20.9, Alberto Salazar’s 12:22.5, and Marty Liquori’s 12:23.2. Even Oregon coaching legend Bill Dellinger exclaimed that Carlotti was one of the best runners he’d seen in years. Carlotti also ran a 15:24.9 over the Van Cortlandt 5000 meter course.
After barnstorming the regular season, Bernards went on to claim the New Jersey Section Championships with a team score of 23 points. At the State Championships held on historic Holmdel County Park, Bernards dominated over the 5000 meter course utterly destroying the competition with an all-time low 19 points claiming their 16th team state championship. Winning a state championship is the goal of every cross country program, scoring less than 20 points in the process is the “holy grail” of a prep championship run. For a team which featured five sub 4:20 milers and a coaching legend, Bernards was at the top of the class of U.S. high school cross country in 1982.
4. Cincinnati Elder, Ohio
Ohio cross country has carried a legacy all its own. The home of legendary Olympian Bob Kennedy, Ohio stands as a beacon for the sport of prep cross country. In 1982 a team from Cincinnati set sail on a remarkable season. Led by Hall of Fame coach Steve Spencer the Panther's almost capped a perfect season.
In what can be called one of the great seasons in Ohio cross country history, Cincinnati Elder set the meet record at every invitational they competed that season. The only hiccup from the "perfect" season came at the Regional Championships where Coach Spencer said his team was "flat and over-confident". In that event, the Panther's suffered their only season defeat to two teams (Fairborn & Fairborn East) they had decimated all season long.
At the Fr. Rudy Invitational, the Panther's home meet, the top team from the south traveled to compete against the top Ohio team. Featuring Berry High out of Alabama, today known as Hoover High, Cincinnati established themselves as one of the top programs in the country. Defeating the South's top team, and eventual Alabama State Championship team, by over a minute in total team time; Cincinnati Elder made a national statement. Upon further reflection, there was a reason Berry, AL travelled to Ohio, quite possibly because Cincinnati Elder were the #1 team in the nation. However, due to the letdown at the Region Championship that national championship hope faded.
Rebounding from a Region Championship letdown, Spencer redirected the Panther's for state championship redemtion. Cincinnati Elder did not disappoint as the team stormed past all other teams, including Fairborn and Fairborn East to claim the Ohio State Championship. The first contested over 5000 meters. Lets meet the fourth ranked Cincinnati Elder Panther's.
XC Legacy: Cincinnati Elder State Results
| Cincinnati Elder Varsity Team |
|
State Time (5000 Meters) |
| Tom Thompson |
|
15:29 |
| Rick Merk |
|
15:30 |
| Mike Quatman |
|
16:02 |
| Tim Schenkel |
|
16:05 |
| Jim Maurmeier |
|
16:18 |
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1982 Cincinnati Elder Team Record
| Colerain Invitational |
First Place |
| Elder Invitational |
First Place |
| Tiffin Carnival Invitational |
First Place |
| Covington Catholic Invitational |
First Place |
| Malone College Invitational |
First Place |
| Fr. Rudy Invitational |
First Place |
| Greater Cincinnati League Championship |
First Place |
| Sectional Championship |
First Place |
| Region Championship |
Third Place |
| State Championship |
First Place |
XC Legacy National Champions
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1980: Bloomington North, Indiana
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| 1981: Carmel, Indiana |
| 1982: Carmel Indiana & Tuba City, Arizona |
Stay Tuned: 1983 National XC Rankings
*If you have a team from 1983-88 that you feel is national top 10 calliber please email me with details ataylor@milesplit.us
