1961 Boys Track and Field
The Hubbers Varsity Track Team of 1961 was the last and undoubtedly one of the best
from the old school. Led by the seniors of "61" and the juniors of "62", this team
chalked up an impressive record of seven wins for one loss in the season's dual
meets. The teams beaten were Port Allegany, Johnsonburg, Ridgway, Youngsville,
St. Marys Public, and St. Marys Central twice. In a trianglular meet with
Class A Bradford and Port Allegany at Bradford, the Hubbers bowed to the Owls
by only nine points.
At the annual McKean County Meet at McCoy Field with Class A schools Kane
and Bradford, along with Port Allegany, Smethport came in a close third
and made the A's work for their points.
On May 20, a week later, the District 9 Meet was held at McCoy Field.
This was the "Big Meet". Many had worked two or three months for it with hopes
of placing first or second and going to the State meet at Penn State.
A Varsity Track letter is given at Smethport for winning ten points during
the season, or for winning one of the five places in an event at the District 9
Meet. For many, as it will be this year, it was the last chance to win their
letter. For the seniors, it will be their last chance to compete for SHS.
Of the twelve Class B schools entered, Smethport placed second to Clarion-Limestone
for the second straight year by a score of 47-39 ½. The Hubbers and
the events they placed in for Smethport are:
- Bill Boswick, who was in a three-way tie for 1st in the High Jump, set
a new school record of 5' 9". The old record of 5' 8" was set by Carl
Ohman in 1938. As only two winners in each event can go to States and
since all three had missed the same number of times, Bill was dropped
because he was a sophomore (the usual way of breaking ties).
- The ½-Mile Relay team of Butch Conn, Dick Ford, Gary Wright,
and Roger Wright placed 1st.
- Tom Mays tied three ways for 2nd place in the Pole Vault but was
dropped for missing too many times.
- Irving Brown placed 2nd in the ½-Mile Run for SHS's second State
Meet entry.
Other Hubbers who placed are:
- Jim McGuire and Bill Reese in the Hurdles
- George McCord 3rd in both the 100 Yard Dash and the 220 Yard Dash
- Roger Wright in the 440 Yard Dash
- Fred Nichols in the Mile
- Bill Reese in the Broad Jump
- Keith Wright in the High Jump
- Jack Shonts in the Pole Vault
- The Mile Relay team of Bob Parker, Bill Boswick, Roger Wright and Gary Wright
Looking ahead to the 1962 season, Mr. Donovan plans to have quite a few lettermen
out for track this year and expects them to make the first track team of the
new school. The senior lettermen whom "J.D." is looking for to lead the team are
Tom Mays, Phil Wolbert, Dick Ford, and Irving Brown. About twenty-five others
consisting mainly of those in the picture above will round out the team and
back the seniors. The schedule for 1962 is not made at this time, but the dates
of the District and State Meets are May 19 and May 26. The official opening
of the season is April 1, but runners will be getting in shape for weeks before this date.
Track men and the events they will enter with an eye on going to Penn State are:
- Irving Brown, Bill Brougham, Bob Parker, Dale Clutter,
Mike Fay, Harry Fischer, and Bud Abbey in the distance races
- Duane Denning, Bill Boswick, Phil Iddings and Keith Weimer in the middle distances
- Speedy runners of dashes and hurdles are to be Dick Ford, Don Igoe,
Jon Wilson, Jim McGuire and Terry Tessena
- At this point it is impossible to pick the relay teams with certainty, although
Coach Donovan is sure the boys picked will be from those above
This track team will be the first to use the new school, but they will remember the old.
Also remembered will be the practices in the rain and the nice days, the tough days
and the winning days, and especially the District 9 Track Meet.
Please let others know about the site! I would like to make it as comprehensive as possible.
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Email me at alumni@smethportalumni.com!