Skip Navigation.


Wednesday, February 19, 1969

Go To Page Image | Browse Archive | Search Archive 

3249 dynasty, here at the University.

Gobblers Take Title At State Track Meet

Virginia Tech took advantage of second and third place finishes in preventing perennial track power William and Mary from capturing its fourth straight State Indoor Track title, 77½-69.

The Gobblers collected only three first-place medals, compared to seven by William and Mary, but at the same time had six second-place and eight third-place finishers. W&M had only two each.

Tech was led by sophomore Jerry Gaines who scored 19 points by winning the long jump and the 60 yard low hurdles, placing second in the 60 yard high hurdles, and scoring a third in the triple jump.

However, while Tech and W&M were conducting their private battle for first, Virginia cindermen were also raising a few eyebrows as they captured third place. It was the finest performance in many years for a Cavalier track squad and gave every indication that Virginia has an excellent chance to improve its 4-3 dual meet record of last year.

For the second straight year the Cavaliers seem to be strong in the field events. Senior Mike Harvey led the way by finishing second in the long jump with a leap of 23 feet and 10¼ inches, only an inch out of first place and by winning the triple jump with a 17 foot, 10 inch effort. Both jumps qualified the Cavalier co-captain for the NCAA Indoor Finals in March.

Virginia's Al Sinesky succeeded in defending his shot put title with a heave of 49 feet, six inches. Other field event places were a second in the high jump by George Hawkins and a third by second-year man Jim Shannon in the long jump.

In the running events the Cavaliers failed to take home any first place medals but showed promise as many runners turned in their fastest times to date.

Second year-man John Morris, better known for his exploits in the middle distances, stepped down to the 60 yard dash and placed fifth in a close race that found him only a step out of second place.

Later, Morris teamed up with his brother Dick, Jim Creekman, and Roger Calvert to capture a third place in the mile relay with a 3:27.3 clocking. John Heagle scored Virginia's only points in the hurdle event by taking fourth in the 60 yard lows.

In the distance events the Cavaliers got a pleasant surprise when first-year man Greg Lane took fifth place in the mile. In the two mile, Rick Katz just missed finishing in the top five as he recorded his best indoor time in his three year college career.

The trackmen return to Lexington