XC Legacy: 1985 Girls National XC Rankings

1984<<<    >>>1986

 

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 that step beyond simply winning and into a realm of total domination. It is in these moments of triumph that the questions of team's "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 pinnacle event for the prep cross country team is earning a berth to Nike Cross Nationals. The goal of every prep team is to hoist the NXN National Championship Trophy, proclaiming the true national champions. The honor and prestige of traversing the Portland Meadows course as team victor welcomes the winning team into an elite fraternity of champions that stretches back three decades.

 

Nike Cross Nationals and all that the event represents to the sport of cross country undeniably traces its roots, inception, and excitement to one moment and one man over three decades ago. In 1973 New York Times free-lance reporter Marc Bloom looked across the nation and saw a lack in comprehensive coverage for prep cross country and came up with a revolutionary idea. An idea that would pump new life and energy into high school cross country. The single most profound event since to the emergence of Nike Cross Nationals three decades later, The Harrier Magazine!

 

In 1974 Marc Bloom released comprehensive coverage for the national cross country scene for the first time ever. Releasing detailed summaries of every state the network for prep cross country on a national scale was implemented and developed. The culminating event for The Harrier magazine was the release of the Harrier Top-50 High School All-Americans.

 

The winds of change came in 1976 when Harrier released the first national team rankings in US history. A new buzz and excitement spread throughout the nation as top programs sought fervently to be crowned National Champions by The Harrier magazine. Team rankings were again released in 1977, following the 1977 season The Harrier was discontinued until being resurrected by Bloom in 1989. XC Legacy has sought to bridge the gap from that final 1977 season until the 1989 season.

 

The significance of those four seasons from 74’-77’ in the scope of prep cross country cannot be understated. Without the efforts of Marc Bloom to network and harness the energy that is prep cross country there would have not been a platform for Nike Cross Nationals.

 

The Harrier 1989 rankings came at the perfect moment and for a decade teams from the four corners of the nation sought the coveted Harrier National Championship. It was this energy, and this excitement that inspired the creation of the Nike Cross Nationals…the nation’s true prep team championship.

 

Perhaps now a spotlight can rest on those teams who deserve recognition for superior national performances.

 

XCLegacy BIG-15 National Rankings

by Aron & David Taylor 

 

Team/State

Season Accomplishment

1. Beaverton, Oregon (Coach Jim Archer)

Undefeated National Champions

2. Lassiter, Georgia (Coach Ed Hutcherson)

Undefeated State Class AAAA Champions

3. Palos Verdes, California (Coach Joe Kelly)

Undefeated CIFSS Champions

4. North Hunterdon, New Jersey (Coach Ludwik Lubaszka)

Eastern States Champions

5. Edmonds, Washington (Coach Tom Campbell)

State AA Champions

6. Langley, Virginia (Coach Timo Dowd)

Undefeated State Champions

7. Thousand Oaks, California (Coach “Jack” Farrell)

CIFSS Runner-up

8. Washingtonville, New York

NYSPHSAA Class B State Champions

9. Abington, Pennsylvania

Undefeated State AAA Champions

10 Carmel, Indiana.

Indiana State Champions

11. Phoenix Shadow Mountain, Arizona

State Class 5A Champions

12. Brookwood, Georgia

State Class AAAA Runner-up

13. Francis Howell, Missouri

State Champions

14. Pearl River, New York

New York Federation Champions

15. Colonie, New York

NYSPHSAA Class A State Champions

 

 

1.          Beaverton, Oregon: Undefeated National Champions

 

At the 1985 OSAA State Championships held at Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon the performance of a decade for Oregon girls’ championship cross country was displayed by a prep team from Beaverton, Oregon.

 

Scoring 42 points as a team, a full 58 points ahead of runner-up Oregon powerhouse Bend. Bend was coached and led by California & Oregon coaching legend Bob Latham. Latham won four boys CIF Southern Sectional Championships for Palos Verdes in the 1970’s and one National Championship with his 1978 girls’ championship team. Latham moved to Oregon during the 1980 season following a culminating career in California and began coaching with South Eugene coaching legend John Gillespie before transferring to the head coaching position at Bend high school. A decision which would eventually produce consecutive state championships and national championships in the early 90’s. To state that Oregon was a hotbed for great coaching, unbelievable athletes, and the heartbeat of the prep cross country nation could not be more evident than in 1985.

 

While Bill White served as official Head Coach the 1985 Beaverton cross country team was directed and trained by distance coach Jim Archer who served as inspirational leader, motivator, and mentor for one of the great Oregon squads. Jim Archer is humble and yet outspoken as he describes his emergence into the Beaverton program. He began coaching at Jesuit and quickly developed a program that was larger than the school football team. While at Jesuit, Archer guided the team to three District Championships in four seasons.

 

My philosophy was simple, what you believe that you can achieve…you can. I believe every person is ONLY limited by their own perceptions of themselves. My job as coach was to lift those perceptions, once a kid says he really wants to be good from that point forward it is on autopilot.” ~Jim Archer, Beaverton Distance Coach

 

I never remember running alone, and we never over trained…especially those of us with the potential to run in college. Coach Archer prepared us to be successful and to be prepared for continual improvement…and yet we seemed to excel regardless.” ~Megan (Reynolds) Talalemotu, Beaverton All-American State Champion

 

Perhaps no athlete served as the heartbeat for one team as Megan Reynolds did in 1985 for the Beaverton cross country team. Entering the fall cross season Megan was riding a state championship victory in track the previous spring. After trying out for track her sophomore season Megan was hooked. As a sophomore she would place 6th at the state championships in the 800m in 2:15.85 in a race where the top five were separated by .6 tenths of a second. Megan found her passion and a conduit which would fuel her competitive spirit. The following cross country season Megan tried out for cross country, ultimately placing 5th at the OSAA State Championships as a junior. The coming spring Megan would claim the 800 meter state championship in a school record 2:10.72.

 

She was the greatest athlete I ever coached, she was my first All-American. She was so talented that the first 3000 meter she ever ran she went out and jogged a 10:16! I thought, wow, this girl can do anything she put her mind too…she had that type of natural ability. Never before did I have an athlete who had her range, she could run 55-56 in the quarter, 2:10 in the half, 4:30’s in the 1500 meters and then compete nationally in the 3k, simply astonishing to watch.” ~Jim Archer, Beaverton Distance Coach

 

Heading into the 1985 season hopes were high as Beaverton sought the school’s first state championship in cross country. The girls trained together intensely and it soon became evident that the Megan Reynolds work ethic had worn off on the entire team.

 

September 5, 1985:The season opened in a Metro League dual against St. Mary’s Jesuit. Beaverton would score a perfect 15 team points. Held at Gabriel Park under cool showers Megan Reynolds paced the team with individual victory in 13:11. Individual placers: 1. Megan Reynolds, B, 13:11; 2. Marie Gillingham, B, 13:13; 3. Shannon Smiley, B, 13:16; 4. Wendy Smith, B, 13:27; 5. Tammy Estvold, B, 13:59; 6. Susie Gray, B, 14:23.

 

September 11, 1985:Competing against Hillsboro Megan Reynolds led the Beaverton girls to victory and a course record. She was pushed heavily by teammate sophomore Shannon Smiley. Reynolds time of 10:22 was followed by Smiley’s 10:25 over the Tualatin Hills Park 3000 meter course. More incredibly the team’s first four runners were within 9 seconds! The team would score a perfect 15 team points. Individual placers: 1. Megan Reynolds, B, 10:22; 2. Shannon Smiley, B, 10:25; 3. Marie Gillingham, B, 10:29; 4. Wendy Smith, B, 10:31; 5. Tammy Estvold, B, 10:59; 7. Susie Gray, B, 11:19.

 

September 18, 1985:For the second consecutive week Beaverton competes on the Tualatin Park 3000 meter course. Not to disappoint Megan Reynolds shattered her recent meet record with an impressive 10:15! Beaverton would claim their third consecutive meet perfect score with 15 team points. Individual placers: 1. Megan Reynolds, B, 10:15; 2. Wendy Smith, B, 10:26; 3. Shannon Smiley, B, 10:30; 4. Marie Gillingham, B, 10:34; 5. Tami Estvold, B, 10:47; 6. Susie Gray, B, 11:06; 7. Mary Arnold, B, 11:11; 8. Amy Detweiler, B, 11:12.

 

September 25, 1985: For the fourth consecutive week Beaverton girls shined with a perfect team score of 15 points over the previously undefeated Glencoe Crimson Tide. Led by individual standout Megan Reynolds victory in 10:10 over the Glencoe high school cross country course the team filed in with impressive 3000 meters times. Individual placers: 1. Megan Reynolds, B, 10:10; 2. Shannon Smiley, B, 10:19; 3. Marie Gillingham, B, 10:22; 4. Mary Arnold, B, 10:29; 5. Wendy Smith, B, 10:29; 5. Tami Estvold, B, 10:38.

 

September 28, 1985:In the first true test of the Beaverton team came at the large South Salem Invitational held at Bush Park in Salem, Oregon. In a meet which featured 22 teams and the #5 nationally ranked Edmunds, Washington program. Beaverton prevailed in a close knit battle 73-79 over Edmunds, Washington. Edmunds was coached by Tom Campbell and would go on to dominate the WIAA State AA Championships. Megan Reynolds once again claimed individual honors over 151 varsity girls in 10:21.7 over eventual state champion Lisa Karnopp who would claim second in 10:27. Individual placers: 1. Megan Reynolds, B, 10:21.7; 8. Marie Gillingham, B, 10:52.7; 13. Mary Arnold, B, 10:56.3; 25. Wendy Smith, B, 11:17.8; 26. Shannon Smiley, B, 11:19.7. Complete South Salem Invitational Results

 

October 2, 1985:Travelling back to the Beaverton home course of Tualatin Park Megan Reynolds and the team made a statement. Reynolds shattered the previous course record and broke 10 minutes for 3000 meters for the first time as a cross country runner with a slew of impressive teammate performances. The team would score a low 19 points to claim the team championship in dominating fashion over Sunset. 1. Megan Reynolds, B, 9:59*; 3. Shannon Smiley, B, 10:17; 4. Marie Gillingham, B, 10:21; 5. Tami Estvold, B, 10:23; 6. Mary Arnold, B, 10:23; 7. Wendy Smith, B, 10:32; 11. Susie Gray, B, 11:05; 12. Amy Detwiler, B, 11:06. Complete Sunset Dual Results

 

October 4, 1985:The Aloha Cross Country Classic was a local favorite featuring more than 27 teams. Beaverton would dominate the field winning the meet with 44 team points besting the runner-up team and eventual State #3 Crescent Valley by 63 points. Megan Reynolds again bested eventual state champion Lisa Karnopp handily. The team placed six varsity scorers in the top 15 places! Individual placers: 1. Megan Reynolds, B, 10:14; 9. Marie Gillingham, B, 10:43; 10. Shannon Smiley, B, 10:46; 11. Mary Arnold, B, 10:50; 13. Tami Estvold, B, 10:56; 15. Wendy Smith, B, 11:00. Complete Aloha XC Classic Results

 

October 7, 1985: Seeking to see how strong the team was Beaverton competed in a mile time trial held at the Beaverton track. Beaverton had six runners under 5:24 with the top 6 runners recording the six fastest miles in school history. Individual placers: 1. Megan Reynolds, 5:14(Senior record); 2. Wendy Smith, 5:19 (Junior record); 3. Mary Arnold, 5:20 (Junior #3 AT); 4. Mary Gillingham, 5:21 (Senior #2 AT); 5. Shannon Smiley, 5:23 (Sophomore record); 6. Tami Estvold, 5:24 (Junior #4 AT).

 

October 9, 1985:After a dominating showing at the Aloha Classic the Beaverton girls travelled back to the Metro League for a dual against Tigard. Running as a pack the team again scored a perfect 15 team points while claiming the top seven individual places. Individual placers: 1. Megan Reynolds, B, 10:58; 2. Shannon Smiley, B, 11:01; 3. Marie Gillingham, B, 11:04; 4. Tami Estvold, B, 11:05; 5. Mary Arnold, B, 11:05; 6. Wendy Smith, B, 11:14; 7. Susie Gray, B, 11:50. Complete Tigard Dual Results

 

October 16, 1985:The Beaverton team completed the Metro League season with a dual against Aloha. Completing the League with another perfect team score of 15 points behind individual standout Megan Reynolds perfect season. Reynolds claimed individual honors in 9:51 for a new course record! More importantly the team packed eight runners under 11 minutes for 3000 meters. Individual placers: 1. Megan Reynolds, B, 9:51*; 2. Marie Gillingham, B, 10:07; 3. Wendy Smith, B, 10:17; 4. Mary Arnold, B, 10:24; 5. Tami Estvold, B, 10:26; 6. Shannon Smiley, B, 10:36; 7. Amy Detwiler, B, 10:43; 8. Susie Gray, B, 10:50. Complete Aloha Dual Results

 

At the District Championships Beaverton unleashed their fire power and team confidence. On a cold and rainy day the team packed all seven varsity scorers in the top 10 places. “It was awesome, I remember that meet as the finest course I competed on during the season. It was a true cross country course with hills, trees, and no laps. When I ran on that course I always felt strong. The team had a goal of placing all seven in the top 10 and we were more excited to do that than to get the championship, we were a team.” ~Megan (Reynolds) Talalemotu, Beaverton All-American State Champion. Reynolds would win individual honors that day as the team dominated.

 

October 25, 1985:Metro League District Championships featured eight teams. Beaverton would not disappoint asserting themselves as League Champions with a low 19 team points. Megan Reynolds claimed another convincing victory winning in 10:06 leading 6 varsity scorers into the top 7 places. Individual placers: 1. Megan Reynolds, B, 10:06; 3. Marie Gillingham, B, 10:31; 4. Mary Arnold, B, 10:34; 5. Shannon Smiley, B, 10:46; 6. Tami Estvold, B, 10:53; 7. Wendy Smith, B, 10:56; 10. Susie Gray, B, 11:06.  Complete Metro League Championship Results

 

Cross country is the perfect sport because the fifth man was more important than the first. The fifth man should be inspiring and leading the entire team. Shannon Smiley and Wendy Smith were as important to that team as they responded to the effort that Megan gave to them. That team was so special; we refused to accept that there was a pecking order, what Megan did everyone did. They coached by action, deed, and when they finished they turned around and encouraged the rest of the team. Megan had the natural ability to raise the level of play for all of the athletes…she was simply amazing!” ~Jim Archer, Beaverton Distance Coach

 

That mentality fostered a team with few rivals as they stormed through the regular season undefeated. “No team could come close to us, I remember in some races actually feeling bad as all of our team would be packed in the front with the best runners of any other team and while they would be struggling to maintain our pace we would be talking together and having a good time joking around. Most times we would score less than 20 points and perfect scoring every dual meet. That fostered a strong confidence in our team and we made team goals for each meet.”~Megan (Reynolds) Talalemotu, Beaverton All-American State Champion

 

TUALATIN ALL-TIME TOP 10 COURSE RECORDS

 

 

Entering the 1985 OSAA State Championships there were two teams favored to win namely the Bob Lathum led Bend Lava Bears and the Jim Archer led Beaverton Beavers. Beaverton charged to the lead with the top three scorers finishing the 3000 meters course all in the top seven places.

 

Following two false starts Megan Reynolds recalls vividly the state championship course, “It was a tough course because it was not a traditional cross country course, and some could say it was boring. The trick was they had this broad starting line which funneled into a narrow gate that immediately pushed you up the first hill. Our race plan was to stick together, I finished second at the line after leading the entire way” ~Megan (Reynolds) Talalemotu, Beaverton All-American State Champion. Led by Megan Reynolds second place showing losing to Mountain View standout Lisa Karnopp by .3 tenths of a second at the line the Beavers filed in consecutively. Mary Arnold came in 5th in 10:54.1 with teammate Marie Gillingham following in 7th place in 10:55.5.

Athlete Name

State Time

2.Megan Reynolds

10:34.9

5.Mary Arnold

10:54.1

7.Mary Gillingham

10:55.5

20.Wendy Smith

11:17.4

23.Shannon Smiley

11:19.6

55.Tami Estvold

11:45.3

60.Susi Gray

11:50.1

So dominant were the front three for Beaverton that the top three scorers for Beaverton all came in ahead of runner-up Bend’s number one competitor. Beaverton completed the championship day with Wendy Smith in 20th in 11:17.4 and Shannon Smiley in 23rd in 11:19.6. Defeating Bend by over 60 points Beaverton made a statement that echoed through the decade and fueled a classic rivalry between the two storied programs for season to come. Complete State Meet Results

 

They were a power that year, an exceptional team. Crescent Valley was a great program but obviously Beaverton was amazing. When I think back, Megan and Lisa (Karnopp) were so far ahead of everyone else and what a rivalry. That team could have hit the track and run the final 300 meters backwards and won…60 points they beat us by was incredible. Jim (Archer) was a great cross country coach and he did an exceptional job guiding that team. I respect Jim and he obviously knew what he was doing because the road to the state championships always ran through Beaverton” ~Bob Latham, Multiple National Championship Coach (Palos Verdes, CA 1979; Bend, OR 1991 & 1992).

 

Upon reflection on that season the leader of the team Megan Reynolds feels much of her successes in life are a direct reflection of the guidance and opportunities that came from running for the Beaverton high track & cross country programs. Megan would go onto achieve a full-ride scholarship to the University of Oregon and compete under the direction of Oregon Coach Tom Heinenon where she would graduate and currently is married to former Portland State Football standout Ina Talalemotu. (Picture: Ina & Megan Talalemotu family)

 

There is a confidence in doing something that you believe that you can achieve, not necessarily what you have the ability to achieve. Never assume you cannot win.” ~Megan (Reynolds) Talalemotu, Beaverton All-American State Champion

 

Archer’s philosophy on leading and focusing on the potential of an athlete was no more evident than in the 1985 season. While most programs separated the girls teams from the boys Archer was unique in his approach that either you were an athlete or not and so his girls teams trained with the boys. He felt strongly that the challenge of running faster, harder, and as a group would foster unity, selflessness, and individual opportunity for growth. It has been noted by several Beaverton athletes as a program that was based upon low mileage, low pressure, and high intensity.