| The Informal History of Cross Country at Belmont Plateau Philadelphia , Pennsylvania |
Belmont Plateau is also known as "The Plateau" in Philadelphia. This page is an informal history of how this piece
of land in one of nation's largest cities and with out question, the most historic has become one of the most well known
and respected cross country course in the United States. The course is a throwback to the old school cross country
courses (not the well groomed grass track courses of recent years). This page does not stand as historic document,
but a collection of records, collections and memories of anyone who competed at Belmont at one time or is interested in
exploring the many great races and athletes who at one time ran there. Belmont Plateau has been the site of many
youth, high school ,college and even one National Championship. It has also been the site of numerous city events and
concerts with one of the first "Earth Day" celebrations in the 1970s held there. It is the course that many NCAA
champion and Olympians have competed on in the fall season. Besides the Van Cortland Park (Bronx, NY), Belmont
Plateau remains one of the most historic XC sites in the country and you will have a chance to see why by exploring this
page. This page is a work in progress, so if any visitors has information not listed or can verify a error,or have a picture
to share, please contact Dave Thomas
Background of Belmont Plateau The Plateau is one of the many parks which make up the 8500 acres of the Fairmount Park System in
Philadelphia. This park gets its name from the flat gully bit of land (which makes up the first mile loop) that stretches up a hill. On the top of
this hill is the best landscape view of the downtown skyline. The land was set aside by the city for recreational purposes in the 1800s and
is now the site of baseball, football and soccer fields as well as the historic cross country course. The unique layout of the first and last
mile enables spectators to see much of the competition. Cross Country running started at Belmont in the 1960s and the layout included a
few memorable hills . The opening mile, the runner is greeted in the first 200 yards with FLAGPOLE Hill (given to it since there used to be a
flagpole at the top). The flagpole has been gone since 2001 but it still maintains it's name. The inside loop of the course is the toughest hill
and many of runner has lost it at about the 1.5 mile mark at PARACHUTE Hill. The origin of the name is not verified but, the hill may ofgot it's
name from the steepness for about 200 yards and the quick descent at the back end of the hill. The college runners for many years
showed their true grit at mile 2.5 of the 5 mile course at SUREKILL hill. Surekill may have been given it's name from the proxciminy to the
Schuylkill Expressway (RT 76) or what it has done to every XC runner who has challenged it. This is a curvy 3 part hill on rock and gravel
which is about 400 yards long. It was always the most difficult part of the college course because of the placement on the course and you
never knew the top till you got there. Another hill on the college course was NURSERY hill. This hill was about 3.5 miles and was not
difficult in itself but could test you if you were being challenged by other runners. When you left the woods and in the last mile of the high
school or college course, you were greeted again by FLAGPOLE Hill before the final sprint around the fields to the finish line marked with
2 30 foot high medal poles that every runner split at the finish. Since 2000, the college course is a modified 8k version of the "old" college
course with no SUREKILL or NURSERY. In my opinion, it is not as difficult and my hope is that one day, the old course will re surface.
Other parts of the HS or college course (past and present) which may bring back memories are named for landmarks such as DARK ROAD,
HAIRPIN Curve, The TUNNEL, and, BATTING CAGES, CANDY STORE turn, and the WOODEN BRIDGE.
The High School Years Belmont Plaeau first hosted cross country races in the
1960s. The first to move there to contest XC was the Philadelphia Catholic League who
moved over from the flat Strawberry Mansion course (33rd and Dauphin). The original course
covered the outside mile loop (flagpole hill) and inside the woods loop (parachute hill) and
finished the 2.6 mile distance with a sharp turn around the Candy Store and a short sprint to
the finish line. It was reported that the original course was designed by Jack Saint Clair (Card-
inal Dougherty/Temple U. coach) and James Tuppeny (University of Pennsylvania). In 1974
the HS course was lengthened to include the entire outside loop again (around the batting
cages) making the distance 2.9 miles. This course was used for a number of years and further
lengthened in 1998 to bring it up to it's present distance of 5,000 meters. The course was
lengthened in the woods loop which included a new turn called "Hairpin" which forces the
runner to take a sharp turn almost forcing them to a stop before picking up momentum again.
The Philadelphia Public League remained at the Strawberry Mansion course for a few years
more after the Catholic League and finally moved over to the more challenging Belmont
Plateau course in 1989. For years, the Philadelphia Catholic Champion team competed
against the Philadelphia Public League team to decide the City Championship with the Championship race switching courses each year. The
City Championship was suspended in 1980 due to problems as a result of Title IX. Belmont Plateau has hosted many HS invitational and
championship races including the Catholic War Vets, The Meet of Champions, The Temple Invitational, The Archbishop Ryan Invitational, The
Briarwood Invitational, and the Triple XXX Invitational. These invitationals have brought together many teams in the Tri State area which
normally wouldn't meet in league competition.
High School Course Records Boys Record Girls Record
2.3 mile course (ended in 1973) John Jennings ( Dougherty) 19j72-12:41.5 (not contested at that time)
2.9 mile course (ended in 1988) Joe Abrahms (Bishop Egan) 1979-14:12 (unknown at present time)
5,000 meter (3.1 m) present course Steve Hallinan (Cardinal O'Hara) 2003-15:42 Sheila Klick (Prendergast) 18:36 ('98)
Some runners who went on to later glory in college or internationally started on Belmont Plateau as high school competitors. Below is a
listing of some outstanding HS athletes and teams by the decade. This page does not take into account all of the great XC individual and
team champions from the Philadelphia Catholic and Public teams before they competed at Belmont Plateau such as Cardinal Dougherty and
West Catholic who won numerous titles or Tom Donnelly of La Salle who was multiple Catholic League Champ. There were also numerous
dominant teams from Overbrook HS of the Public League who did not run at Belmont until 1975. Many of their victories were pre Belmont
Plateau (1965for Catholic and 1975 for Public) and will be explored and remembered at another time.
1960s
Jay Lyons - First runner to win a title (PCL Champ) on Belmont Plateau in 1965 for Roman Catholic. Also won in 1966.
Mike Tomzack - 2 time Philadelphia Catholic League Champion (1968, and 1969) for Father Judge HS
Cardinal Dougherty High School- Dominant team from 1965-69 with 2 championships won at Belmont ('65 and '67).Coached
by Jack Saint Clair. Memorable names were Frank Kreeger (PCL Champ'67) and Jim Burns.
Bishop McDevitt High School -Was the Philadelphia Catholic League and the Eastern States HS Champion in 1966.
1970s
John Jennings- of Cardinal Dougherty HS was a dominant runner at Belmont and was 2x Philadelphia Catholic League
Champion (1971 and '72). He ran 12:41 for the 2.6 mile course in 1972 win. He was a member of the National Junior College
Champion, Allegheny College gaining All America status. Later finished his career at Seton Hall University where he finished
3rd to future Olympians, Eamonn Coglan (Villanova) and John Treacy (Providence) in the IC4A 5,000 meters in 1976.
John Burns- of La Salle High School. Set HS course record at the time (14:18 for the 2.9 course) in 1974. He was 1974 PCL
Champ and was undefeated in a 10 race span at Belmont Plateau. He later competed for Villanova University, was on a
national junior team, earned All America status in track at VU and won numerous Penn Relay watches as part of
Championship of America Relay champion.
Joe Abrams of Bishop Egan was a dominant runner in the later 1970s winning the Philadelphia Catholic League title in 979
and set a course record on the 2.9 course of 14:12 which was retired when the course was expanded to the present 5,000
meters.
Brian Pharr of Central HS was 2x Philadelphia Public League Champion in 1976 and '77..
George Steinbronn of Lincoln HS was the Philadelphia Public League Champion in 1978 running the fastest Public League
time of the decade at Belmont , 14:57 for the 2.9 mile course. He later ran for Temple University and recorded a 4:10 mile
time which still stands as the Temple University record.
Archbishop Ryan High School Was the most dominant team of the 1970s at Belmont with Championships won in
1973,'75,'76,'77 and '78. The outstanding teams were coached by legendary coach Ed Ulmer, who has been the only XC
coach since Archbishop Ryan opened. Some memorable names from those teams were Mike Thom (PCL Champ '75), Tim
Naylor (PCL Champ '77), Keith Davies .George Petrick, Brian Boyle, and Jack Kuhar.
La Salle High School 2x PCL Champ ('71 and '72), coached by legendary runner of PCL, Tom Donnelly. La Salle also won
City Title at Belmont in '71 over Overbrook with a 1,2,3,4,5th place shutout. Donnelly later moved on to Haverford College
where he is today and his teams are consistently in the top 10 in the nation for Div 3. Donnelly is also legendary in his
coaching skills by helping tudor many Olympians including Sydney Maree and Marcus O'Sullivan. memorable names for the
LS teams were Dave McKee, John Burns, Mike McGarity, Mark Daniele and Jim Zurbach.
Overbrook HS - After moving the Public League to Belmont Plateau in 1975, Overbrook (Coached by Fred Rosenfeld)
continued it's dominance of the league with 3 team titles in '75,'76 and '79.
1980s
Bill Donovan of Monsignor Bonner HS was 2x Philadelphia Catholic League Champion('84 and '85) on the 2.9 mile course
and recorded one of the fastest PCL Champs time with a 14:43 in 1985.
Derick Brown of Overbrook HS was 2x Philadelphia Public League Champion ('86 and '87) and won with a time of 15:03 in
1987.
Archbishop Wood was the dominant HS team of the 1980s winning the Philadelphia Catholic Championship 5xs
('83,'84,'86,'87,'88) under the coaching of John Sharp. Mike Ewing (PCL champ of 1986) was one of the memorable runners
from those teams.
Overbrook HS was the dominant team of the Public League in the 1980s with 5 titles ('80,'81,'82, '87,'88) highlighted by a
perfect shutout (1,2,3,4,5th place) in the 1988 championship. The teams were led by Coach Fred Rosenfeld who later moved
onto success at Central HS.
Cardinal Dougherty (Girls Team) dominated the early 1980s with Philadelphia Catholic Championships in 1980,'81,'82,and
'83. The women started competing at Belmont Plateau in 1977 with Arch. Wood winning the first title. The CD teams were
led by Brother Jerome 'BJ" Benway.
Cardinal 0'Hara (Girls Team) dominated the later 1980s with Philadelphia Catholic titles in 1986,'87,'88, '89.
1990s
Brendon Benner of Monsignor Bonner HS was 2x Philadelphia Catholic League Champion ('91,'92) and set a course record
for the 5,000 meter in 16:04.
Kevin McGinnins of Monsignor Bonner won the PCL in 1993 (16:23.2) and led his team to the team title in 1994
Kevin Carroll of Father Judge HS led his team to the PCL title in 1998 and won the individual title in 1999 in 16:24.
Robert Bond of Dobbins was 2x Philadelphia Public League Champion in 1990 and '91. Won in 17:07 for Public title in 1991.
Marlin Barrier of Ben Franklin HS was 2x Public League Champion in 1996 and '97, running 16:43 in his 1997 victory.
Sheila Klick Philadelphia Catholic League Champion in 1997 and '98 for Archbishop Prenergast and set the course record
of 18:36 which still stands in 2006. Her victory also led her team to the PCL Championship in 1998.
Central HS (Boys) of the Philadelphia Public team was the dominant team of the 1990s with titles in 1991,'93 ,'94,
'95,'96,'97,'99. (7xs!).
Archbishop Wood (Boys) continued his dominance in the 1990s with 3 Philadelphia Catholic League titles (1990, '91, and
1995. Brian McCafferty led his team 2xs in the Wood titles.
Cardinal O'Hara (Girls) continued their dominance in the early 1990s with Philadelphia Catholic League titles in 1990,'91,'92.
Archbishop Wood (Girls) dominated the mid 1990s with titles in 1995,'96, and '97 with Erin Durning of Wood winning the
individual title in 1995.
Archbishop Prendergast( was led by individual champ, Shela Klick and won Philadelphia Catholic titles in 1998 and '99.
2000s
Steve Hallinan of Cardinal O'Hara was the dominant runner of the decade so far with 3 Philadelphia Catholic League Titles in
2001, 2002 and 2003. This feat of 3 PCL individual titles was only done one other time in PCL history for boys(Tom Donnelly
of La Salle HS in 1962,63,and '64). He also set the Belmont Plateau HS course record of 15:42 in 2003 which still stands in
2006. He also led his team to the PCL title 2x with his victories.
Amy Kelly of St Hubert's was 3x Philadelphia Catholic League Champion in 2001,'02, and '03, running her best time of 18:58
in winning in 2003. She led her team to PCL titles in 2002 and 2003.
Greg Thomas of Cardinal 0'Hara was a freshman scorer (8th overall) when his team won the PCL title in 2002 and later went
on to win the individual PCL title in 2005 with a time of 16:01.
Mike Syrnick of Central HS was 3x Philadelphia Public League Champion in 2001,'02, and '03 and set a Public League
record of 16:23 (tied with Trevon Rainford of E & S) in 2003. He led his team to 3 Public League team titles.
Central HS (Boys) continues it's dominance of the 2000s like it did in the 1990s by winning the Philadelphia Public League
titles in 2000, '01,'02,'03,'04, and '06. The team was led by Coach Fred Rosenfeld for most of those victories with Coach
Rosenfeld retiring in 2005.
Cardinal O'Hara (Boys) dominated the early 2000s with 3 Philadelphia Catholic League titles and led by Coach Tom
Kennedy with Steve Hallinan their top runner.
La Salle (Boys) took over the Philadelphia Catholic League recently with 4 straight titles. Long time coach, Pat Devine, has
led the team the team title in 2003, '04,'05, and 2006. Sean McGinley (2004) ran for the individual title in 16:08 and Phil Wood
won the individual PCL title in 2006, running 16:04 in leading their teams. The dominance of La Salle recently is
overwelming in the Philadelphia Catholic team and is evident by the team able to place all of their top 5 scoring runners in the
top 15 in the PCL Championships ALL 4 YEARS they have won the PCL. This makes all 5 runners earn All Catholic honors
(top 15 in League Champs) every year from 2003-2006!
Cardinal O'Hara (Girls) Have won the Philadelphia Catholic League title in 2004,'05,'06 with Beth Kelly leading the team 2x
and winning the individual title in 2006 with a time of 18:44.
College and University Cross Country at Belmont Plateau
University level cross country competition started at Belmont Plateau started in the 1960s with only men running on the 5 mile
course. The 5 mile course developed by Jack Saint Claire (Cardinal Dougherty/Temple) and James Tuppeny
(Penn/Villanova) along with the help of Joseph McElhenney (Olney Kiwanis TC/AAU official). The 5 mile course was the most
difficult course in the country for college runners with a number of challenging hills and a mixture of grass, trail and uneven
terrain. The "old" 5 mile course was an extension of the 2.5 mile high school course at the time. The course included
Flagpole and Parachute hills along with 3 new additions of hills later named Surekill and Nursery and Bridge. Surkill became
the most memorable of the Hills for it's difficulty (nearly 1/4 mile) and terrain (rock and dirt trail). The hill was also difficult and
memorable for being at the half way point of the 5 mile course. The early course actually crossed diagonally as runners
looked for cars as they crossed Ford Road back onto the dirt path. Landscaping in the 1980s to the course ended the road
crossing and kept the runners free of car traffic. Many of the top college teams in the East Coast competed at Belmont each
week in duel, tri and quad meets with Villanova, Penn, La Salle, Temple, Saint Joseph's, Drexel, Bucknell, Lafayette, Lehigh,
and many others often seen each week competing against each other.
Women started competed in the 1980s and used the High school courses of 3 miles and later 5,000 meters. The men's
college course was changed in the 1990s to a 8,000 meter length with a new course layout. The new college course for men
eliminated the back roads and Surekill and Nursery hills with the focus more on fast times and much of the running on the
outside loop of the course. In my opinion, this is a much easier course than the "old" college course and has lost much of the
challenge of Cross Country. Gone also are the days of duel, tri and quad meets with much more of the emphasis on bigger
invitational meets of 15-25 teams.
The only time the 10,000 meter course was used at Belmont Plateau was the 1976 AAU USA National Championship. The
course was an extended version of the College course at the time and proved to be very challenging to the national level elite
runners. The 1976 Nationals had many of the top runners of the time including Marty Liquori and Jim Ryun. The race was
won by Ric Rojas.
I will present many of the great runners and teams which competed at Belmont Plateau since the 1960s and show the
readers why Belmont Plateau is one of the most famous cross country courses in the United States. The history of Belmont
is a work in progress and will be updated with new info and pictures.
College/University Records at Belmont Plateau
5 Mile (Old Course) Dave Merrick /University of Pennslvania 1975 24:43 (Big 5 Meet)
3 Mile (Old Women Course) NA at this time
8,000 meter (New course since '97) NA at this time
5,000 meter (women's Course) NA at this time
Dominant College University and Teams at Belmont Plateau
1960s
Vic Zwolak- (Villanova) Only NCAA Individual Cross Champion ever to come out of Villanova. Won the NCAA title in
1963.
Tom Donnelly : Local Philadelphia product (La Salle HS) who was a member of the great Villanova teams who was coached
by Jim "Jumbo" Elliot. Donnelly was a member ot 2 NCAA Champion Cross Country teams. He was also a national level
steeplechase runner and currently gained national recognition as a coach with Haverford College and world record holders,
Sydney Maree and Marcus O'Sullivan.
Dave Patrick: (Villanova) A member of some of Villanova's greatest NCAA champion XC teams and was a internationally
great runner in the 800 meters and the mile. He was on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine.
Donald Walsh (Villanova)
Noel Carroll (Villanova)
Marty Liquori (Villanova) Only one of 4 High School runners to break the 4 minute mile barrier. Winner of 3 NCAA mile
championships. Winner of the "Dream Mile" over Jim Ryun in Franklin Field in 1972. Pan Am Games winner and 14 National
AAU titles from mile to 5,000 meter. Olympian in 1968 and world record holder in the 5,000. Was a member of 1 NCAA
championship team in 1970.
Dominant Teams of the 1960s:
1966 Villanova Team- Was the first Villanova XC team to win the NCAA National Championship. Coached by Jumbo Elliot
and Asst. Coach Jack Pyrah, this team traveled to University of Kansas to win the title by 79 points. Tom Donnelly (7th) in
30:10, Charlie Messenger (8th), Frank Murphy (25th), Ian Hamilton (33rd), Dave Patrick (39th), and John O'Leary (113th)
1967 Villanova Team- Defended it's NCAA Cross Country title with a 5 point win over Air Force (91 to 96). Led by Charlie
Messenger (10), Tom Donnelly (27), Des McCormick (31), Dave Patrick (34), Ian Hamilton (36), Dick Buerkle (63), Frank
Murphy (68).
1968 Villanova Team For a 3rd straight time, Villanova won the NCAA Cross Country title. The Wildcats won this time in the
famed Van Cortland Park in the Bronx and scored 78points over Stanford University (100 points). Team was led again by
senior Tom Donnelly (8th), Dick Buerkle (22), Des McCormick (29), Chris Mason (36), Frank Murphy (47) and Andy O'Reilly
(185).
1970s
Eamonn Coglan (Villanova) 1983 World Champion at 5,000 meters, 4x Olympian for Ireland, won the Wanamaker Mile at the
Millrose Games 7x, first runner under 3:50 indoors, first runner under 4:00 as a Master Runner (over 40 years old), won
numerous NCAA, IC4A, Penn Relay championships (7 watches). Known around the world as 'the Chairman of the Boards"
for his dominance in indoor mile races.
Sydney Maree (Villanova) Former runner of South Africa who became a USA citizen. Was 2x Olympian, Former US/world
record holder in 1500 and 5,000 meters. Numerous NCAA, IC4A, and Penn Relay Championships. Record holder of the 5th
Ave Mile.
John Hartnett (Villanova)
Dave Merrick (University of Pennsylvania)
Denis Fikes (University of Pennsylvania)
Karl Thornton (University of Pennsylvania)
Kevin McCarey (Villanova) IC4A 6 mile champion and post graduation went on to run for Nike Athletics and ranked in top 10
for the marathon in US with a best time of 2:13:25.
Don Paige (Villanova)
Carey Pinkowski (Villanova) Member of numerous NCAA and IC4A Championships. After graduation, went on to become the
long time race director of the Chicago Marathon.
Dominant Teams of the 1970s
1970 Villanova Team - Was the 4th Villanova team in a row to win the NCAA Cross Country title. The Wildcats won this one in
Williamsburg, Va. and was a controversial win over Oregon (Steve Prefontaine). The team initially was listed as 2nd place
with 88points but refused to leave until a re count occured. After a video review of the finish, there was a placement mistake
and Villanova was given the victory with 85 points to Oregon's 86. Team included Marty Liquori, Donal Walsh, Chris Mason,
Les Nagy, Wilson Smith, and Davy Wright.
1980s
Marcus O'Sullivan (Villanova)
Gerry 0'Reilly (Villanova)
Mike Glavin (Saint Joseph's University)
Vicki Huber (Villanova)
Sonia O'Sullivan (Villanova)
Kate Fonshell
Elaine McGillian (Saint Joseph's)
Seamus McElliott (Haverford College)
Steve Ave (Saint Joseph's)
Gina Procaccio (Villanova)
Dominant Teams of the 1980s
1990s
Terrance Mahon (Villanova)
Jen Rhines (Villanova)
Vicki Boyer (Saint Joseph's)
Dominant Teams of 1990s
2000s
Dominant Teams of the 2000s
Conference and Other Championships Held at Belmont Plateau (past and present)
Philadelphia Catholic League Philadelphia Public League Catholic War Vets (HS)
Atlantic 10 Philadelphia Metro (University) Meet of Champions (HS)
Central Atlantic Collegiate (CACC) Belmont Classic (University) USATF- Mid Atlantic
Briarwood Invitational (High School) Ryan Invitational NCAA Regionals
Temple Invitational (High School) Big 5 Championship East Coast Conferance
National AAU Championships- 1976
Belmont Plateau Trivia
"Summertime" The song, written by Philadelpia's own Will Smith, was written about the fun party times
and group gatherings of local youth at Belmont Plateau.
Links to Other Articles on Belmont Plateau
Diane McManus Article 2006
| One of many close finishes at Belmont |
| The start of an Open Race at Belmont represented by many age group runners. |
| 1966 Villanova XC NCAA National Champs Top left- Asst Coach Jack Pyrah, Frank Murphy, Dave Patrick, Ian Hamilton, and Tom Donnelly. Front from left- Charles Messenger, John O'Leary. |
| Skyline shot of Philadelphia From "Flagpole Hill". (Outside mile loop in foreground) |
| Villanova's only individual NCAA Champion Vic Zwolack |
| Noel Carroll was a sub 4 minute miler for Villanova |
| Eamonn Coglan One of Villanova's Greatest Runners |
Temple University runners, Mark Gillman and Tom Hurd lead a race at the mile mark in a 1974 race at Belmont Plateau. Both runners also competed at Belmont in HS in the Philadelphia Catholic League. |
| Legendary Coach, Jack Saint Clair of Temple University distributes some fine points of how to compete at Belmont Plateau to Mark Gillman at a 1975 XC meet. |
Eamonn Coglan (Villanova), John Treacy (Providence) were 2 Olympians for Ireland who competed at Belmont Plateau. Here they are competing against John Jennings (Seton Hall) in a 1976 race. John Jennings made his mark at Belmont by winning the Philadelphia Catholic League Cross Country Championship 2 times in the early 1970s for Cardinal Dougherty HS. |
| From a Phila. Evening Bulletin Article Nov 8, 1974 Penn's Merrick Clips Mark in Big 5 Run at Belmont Plateau . By Mayer Brandschain Dave Merrick of the University of Pennsylvania traversed the hilly Belmont Plateau course in Fairmount Park in record time in winning the annual Big Five College cross country championship and leading the Red and Blue to the team title yesterday. Merrick, a senior from the Chicago area, sped across the finish line in 24:44.4 for the five mile competition and broke the existing record by 6.8 seconds. The former mark of 24:51.2 was set in 1970 by Donal Walsh of Villanova. Coach Jim Tuppeny's Penn varsity carried the team honors with 20 points. Coach Jim (Jumbo) Elliot's Villanova University team was runner-up with 37 and was followed by Coach Jack Saint Clair's Temple University with 97, St Joseph's 114, and La Salle College with 119. Merrick has been unbeaten in three races this season. He won the Big Five title two years ago but was unable to defend the championship last year because of a knee injury. |
| Results from Big 5, 1974 Order of Finish-1,Dave Merrick,Penn, 24:44.4; 2,Bruce Fiori, Penn, 26:05; 3,Kevin McCarey, Villanova,26:18; 4,Dave McKee, Penn, 26:26; 5,John Stockel, Penn, 26:32; 6,Steve Dorsey, Villanova, 26:33; 7,Steve Crook, Villanova, 26:36: 8,Mike Keogh, Penn, 26:40; 9,Phil "Tiny" Kane, Villanova, 26:42; 10, Steve Sholfes,Penn, 26:50; 11,Ken Roberts, Penn, 26:52; 12,Mark Belger, Villanova, 26:53; 13,Roger Knolimeyer, Villanova, 26:56; 14,Jeff Werchowski, Penn, 27:02; 15, Don Paige, Villanova, 27:08; 16, Carey Pinkowski, Villanova, 27:09; 17,Mark Gillman, Temple, 27:17; 18, Hal Ogenelodh, Penn, 27:21; 19,George McKay, Villanova, 27:22; 20,John Glah, St. Joseph's, 27:28. 21,Charles McCarthy, Villanova, 27:32; 22,Bill Nester, Temple, 27:33; 23,Paul Hines, Temple, 27:48; 24,John Kuhar, La Salle, 27:48; 25, Jerry Gerwirtz, Temple,28:06; 26,Eric Komdat, Penn, 28:08; 27, Francis Caufield, St Joseph's, 28:10; 28, Dave Thomas, Temple,28:12, 29,Joe Genther, St Josephs, 28:14; 30, Mike Connelly, La Salle, 28:30; 31,Mark Conlin, La Salle, 28:52; 32, Jim Guntle, La Salle, 29:01; 33,John Shields, St Josephs, 30;11, 34, Terry Lamplaugh,30:16; 35, Jim Wharton, St Josephs, 30:35, 36, Brian Walsh, Temple, 30:36................................. |
| John Burns of La Salle High (3rd from left) was one of most dominant HS runners of the 1970s at Belmont Plateau. Mike Thom of Archbishop Ryan leads at the mile mark but is later overtaken by Burns. |