After a couple of columns talking about those people who have helped the local scene excel from behind the scenes, I’m going back to a traditional historical column this well. More on those behind the scenes in the future as they have been well received.
On April 29, 1970, famed Darlington head track coach Glen Lefebvre’s idea of a high school pentathlon event took place. The event, modeled after the Olympics decathlon which had 10 events for athletes, consisted of five events— long jump, high jump, 100-yard dash, shot put and 440-yard dash.
The event was both an individual and a team competition as schools were allowed to enter two-man teams for the team event. A total of 11 schools entered teams in the event (all which had to have total enrollments of less than 900 students).
Darlington’s own Gary Dale was crowned the overall champion of the meet as he piled up 3,143 points. He paired up with teammate Jim Gable to take second place in the team event. Central Catholic’s duo of Pat Doyle and Dave Delaney won the team title with a combine total of 6,070 points, while the Darlington team ended with 6,034. Coal Creek’s team finished third.
Dale claimed the title by being consistent as he did not win a single event. His best showing in an event was second in the long jump (19-feet, 8 inches), third in the high jump (5-9) and shot put (42-6) and fifth in the 440 (54.5).
A couple of other county representatives were in the running for the top spot. Coal Creek’s Rick Calder was the individual leader heading into the final event but couldn’t hold off Dale or Delaney in the 440 and slipped to third in the final individual standing. Calder won the high jump (5-11) and long jump (19-11) and was fifth in the shot put (41-6 ½). He ended the day with 3,124 points.
Waynetown’s Kim Suitors was fourth overall with 2,954 points. He placed second in the 440 with a time of 53.0 and tied for third in the 100 (10.9) and was fourth in the long jump (18-11 ½).
The overall team standing were: Central Catholic 6,070, Darlington 6,034, Coal Creek 5,637, Thorntown 5,272, Granville Wells 5,231, Waynetown 5,151, New Market 5,036, Rockville 4,981, New Ross 4,470, Turkey Run 4,124 and Seeger 3,909.
The top 10 in the individual standings were: Dale 3,143, Delaney (Central Catholic) 3,133, Calder (Coal Creek), 3,124, Suitors (Waynetown) 2,954, Pat Doyle (Central Catholic) 2,937, Gable (Darlington) 2,881, Pat Burns (New Market) 2,766, Bob McCullough (Rockville) 2,684 and Bill Durbin (New Ross) 2,661.
This was a fun event and garnered lots of local interest. Wouldn’t it be interesting to see something like this make a comeback?
Barry Lewis has been part of the Montgomery County sports scene as a player, writer or broadcaster for more than 50 years and has a desire to keep Montgomery County sports history alive and well through Montgomery County Sports & More Facebook page.
