In the field events, Milton Byrd threw 36'4" in the shotput — a good throw. A special tribute should go to Milton Byrd for his intestinal fortitude. Due to the lack of participation in track and field this year, Milton was forced to compete in four separate events, (the shot put, discus, 100 and 220 yard dashes) and to the surprise of no one, he has performed admirably (TheFoghorn).
Season ends for Don tracksters: The University of San Francisco Track Team concluded a rather strange season last Saturday at Sonoma State College. The Dons competed against Stanislaus State, Lutheran and Sonoma State. The exact results were not available to this reporter, however, point totals are misleading when used as a criterion for judging the success of the USF track team's season. The mere fact that a team existed this year is a credit to the members of the team and to their coach, Fr. Sargent. Track is an individual sport and, though the team is young and talented, there is only so much an individual can do without the use of facilities that are available to his opponents. USF is the only school this reporter knows of that has no pits for field events, no rack and very little funds allocated to the team. Track scholarships, so prevalent in schools all over the state, do not exist at USF and most of the athletes on the team had much better facilities and training conditions while in high school. The only things members of the team had to work with were their own talent, determination, spirit and initiative. When track sign-ups were held last February over fifty people responded and a strong optimistic outlook prevailed. Even before the first meet was held, however, a considerable number of people lost their initiative and the number of competitors at meets ranged from ten to fifteen. Many would-be athletes became disgusted with the lack of facilities, disorganization, and the method of awarding blocks that is used here. The block stands to represent significant achievement in athletic endeavor and to achieve one at USF, one must equal the NCAA qualifying time in his event. Though victories were few, many fine performances were turned in by the young thin clads. The team consisted of a large number of freshmen and sophomores led by captain Rich Garcia and veteran Don Hicks. Garcia, who owns the school record in the 440 and the 220, was the team's premier performer and he consistently turned in many strong efforts. Hicks was also a fine performer this year and did well in the field events.
The team can look forward to next year as a number of fine freshmen and sophomores from the Bay Area are returning. Among them are Francis Brown, in the sprints and hurdles; Sheldon Bunn, a sprinter and Milton Byrd, in the weight events and sprints. All three were valuable this year and competed in various events to gain points for the team. Terry Stempel, of Greenbrae, who ran the high hurdles and 440 yard intermediate hurdles, and Dan Maguire, of Mill Valley, who competed in the 800 and the 3 mile, both attended Marin Catholic High School. Stempel was particularly valuable, winning many races with fine times of 15.5, in the high hurdles and 58.8 in the 440 yard intermediates. Both times were very close to the NCAA qualifying marks.
The City was also represented by many strong freshmen. Ron Burton, of Washington High, ran well and will improve in the 100 yard dash and the 220. Dan Lawson, Adrian Wong, Bill Murphy and Frank Casabonne, all from St. Ignatius High, gave many encouraging efforts. Wong competed well in the 440 and the jumping events, as did Dan Lawson until he pulled a muscle in the last meet. Frank Casabonne, a letter winner in cross country, ran very well in the mile until he was hampered by a similar injury. Bill Murphy was also valuable in the weight events. One of the hardest working members of the team was Gary Martinelli, of Petaluma, who competed well in the discus and javelin. Pete Simoncinl ran the 3000 meter steeplechase, probably the first USF trackster to ever do so, and should do well next year in the middle distances. Other encouraging efforts were given by Tim Wehrly, in the 440 and field events, John Storm in the weight events, and Bill Roberts, of Southern California, in the 880. Though the victories were few, all members of the team will say they enjoyed the season and the meets. Few members, if any, regret their connection with the team and those who constituted the team. A strong bond of unity existed between the individuals this season and this unity prompts one to believe that track does have a future at USF (TheFoghorn).
