Villanova Univeristy Athletics

1966 MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY

The Villanovan
November 30, 1966
Chick McElrone

Nothing can be worth this. Villanova's valiant cross country runners had to harbor thoughts like that more than once during this fall as they pushed themselves through grueling early morning workouts in near freezing weather. 

Four or five classes later, though, they were back on the local hills and dales striving to complete daily quotes of 15, 20 or 25 miles. And every weekend another opponent would be run into the ground. Dual meets against the likes of Penn State, La Salle, St. Joseph's and Georgetown barely proved challenging as Charlie Messenger huffed and puffed to an undefeated season.

Skeptics Disappointed

Two weeks ago, many ho-hummed as the Wildcats buried the best the East had to offer in a record setting IC4A victory. But Villanova yearly ranks with the class of the East, and the skeptics awaited the Cats' rude awakening in the NCAA championship meet. 

They were sadly disappointed. On Monday, November 22, the harriers planed to Lawrence, Kan., and proceeded to level all competition as they registered the 2nd national championship in Villanova's illustrious athletic history (the other was a Ron Delaney-led track title). 

Donnelly 7th

Following Olympian Gerry Lindgren of Washington State over the finish line were runners from five different schools. The phenominal LIndgren covered the rugged six mile terrain in 29:01.4 to lower the course record by a full 23 seconds, but one harrier can't do it all in cross country. Tom Donnelly and Messenger proved that when they teamed to put the Cats into the scoring lead with respective 7th and 8th place finishes.

Irishmen Frank Murphy (25th) and Ian Hamilton (33rd) added valuable points as did NCAA mile champ Dave Patrick (39th) who doesn't particularly relish such long runs. The last of the 'Nova travelers was Jack O'Leary whose respectable 89th place finish showed well in respect to the hundreds of competitors in the race.

Things To Come

The Villanovan, on behalf of the entire student body, wishes to extend thanks and congratulations to the team and coaches Jumbo Elliott and Jack Pyrah for a fantastically successful season. But all six finishers being underclassmen coupled with numerous talented track men could prove disastrous. Particularly distressing is the fact that trophy space in Dougherty Hall is already at a premium. What's it going to look like two years from now?
 

VILLANOVA ROSTER
Name	Class	Hometown	High School
Tom Donnelly	Sophomore	Philadelphia, Pa.	La Salle
Ian Hamilton	Junior	Cobh, Ireland	Presentation Brothers
Al McCafferty	Junior	New Milford, Conn.	Quincy
Charlie Messenger	Junior	Baltimore, Md.	Kenwood
Frank Murphy	Sophomore	Dublin, Ireland
Craig Nation	Junior	King of Prussia, Pa.	Upper Merion
Jack O'Leary	Junior	Linden, N.J.	Essex Catholic
Dave Patrick	Junior	Baltimore, Md.	Kenwood
Paul Sanborn	Junior	Upper Darby, Pa.	Devon Prep

 

1966 HONORS AND AWARDS