More Old Time Goodness From Mike Fanelli, Track's Museum Curator Extraordinaire

Mike Fanelli's garage is the repository of Track and Field's greatest museum.  And he daily puts out a blast from the past.  Lately Penn State has figured high up in the number of displays.  I'm stealing these pics from him, but link up with him on Facebook if you want in on the rest of the displays!

Greg! and Jimmy Allahand.

This was a dual meet on PSU's White course in 1970.  Penn State was beaten by the Villanova squad 20-35.    (Greg Fredericks  24:56, Jim Allahand  25:30)

Keith Francis nips Pat Rexroat.

 1975 Championship of America Sprint Medley Relay finish.  It took a 1:47.3 split by Keith to best the Nittany Lions anchored by Pat Rexroat.

Mike Shine and Edwin Moses 1976 Olympic Finals.

We Have Lost Another Boy In Blue

It is with sadness that I report the passing of Jim Allahand.  Jim was a stalwart of the early years of Coach Groves' tenure at PSU.

In Memory
James Allahand - Bensalem HS Class Of 1969
James R. Allahand of Trevose passed away Sunday June 19, 2016. He was 64.
He was born in Philadelphia, and was a lifelong resident of Trevose.
Jim was a graduate of Bensalem High School and Penn State University. Jim was recognized as a premiere distance runner at both the high school and university levels.
He was employed as a Sports Specialist at Fort Dix and Maguire Air Force Base, where he managed their sports programs.
He enjoyed his family, especially his nieces and nephews.
Beloved son of the late Benjamin and Anna Allahand, he will be sadly missed by his siblings, Patricia Allahand, Robert Allahand (Lynn), John 'Jack' Allahand (Marilyn), and Edward Allahand (Margaret).
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his visitation at 6 p.m. Monday, followed by his memorial service at 7 p.m. at Tomlinson Funeral Home, 2207 Bristol Pike, Bensalem, PA 19020. Interment will be held privately.
Contributions may be made in Jim's name to the Penn State University Cross Country Team online at www.psu.edu.Tomlinson Funeral Home, Bensalem

Jim graduated from PSU in 1973, but was still running competitively when I was just a skinny Freshman scrambling to make the team in the later 70s.  He won the 1979 Spiked Shoe XC Meet, and was still mixing it up with the team on the XC course even after my career was over!

Jim also had some unique American Records and great performances in his day.

• The American Record in the Half Marathon 1979 (1:05:41)
• An American Indoor Record in the 4 x Mile (with Greg Fredericks, Charlie Maguire, Bob Hillman)  (17:07.5)
• A 4-time NCAA Championships competitor.
• Still in the top-10 of PSU Steeplers  (8:51.84)
• Former PIAA HS XC Champion and 2-Mile Champion.

Nittany Lions From the PIAA List of Past Cross Country Champions

I have tried to put together a list of current and former Nittany Lions who have joined the Cross Country team after winning a PIAA State Championship.  I probably don't have a complete list.  If anyone knows of those I missed, please chime in! (The list has been amended to include those I missed and submitted via the comments. Thanks to the anonymous supporter and RMH!)

1963 Boys’ AAA  Steve Gentry 11  State College. 10:36  (Pennsylvania State University)

1964 Boys’ AAA Steve Gentry  12 State College 10:25.2 (Pennsylvania State University)

1968 Boys’ AAA Jim Allahand 12 Bensalem  12:40 (Pennsylvania State University)

1975 Girls’ AA Mary Rawe  11 Camp Hill    12:28 (Pennsylvania State University)

            1976 Girls’ AAA Kathy Byrnes 12 North Allegheny 13:06.6.(Pennsylvania State University)

1977 Boys’ AAA  Gary Black  12  State College 15:09.4 (Pennsylvania State University)

1978  Boys’ AA  Mike Cook  12 Troy  15:26.8 (Pennsylvania State University)

1980  Boys’ AA Mark Overheim 12  General McLane 10  15:50.7 (Lehigh University)

1982 Boys’ AAA  Eric Carter 11 Penn Hills   15:38.2  (Lehigh University)

1984 Boys’ AAA Steve Brown 12  North Hills   15:44.9 (Lehigh University)

1985 Boys’ AAA  Doug Walter  12  Chambersburg   15:38.14 (Lehigh University)

1986 Boys’ AAA Ron Moore 12 Hempfield Area  15:33.2 (Pennsylvania State University)

1989 Boys’ AAA  Bob Hamer  12  Council Rock 15:37.98 (Lehigh University)

1995 Boys’ AAA  Chris McGinness 12  Abington 15:48.15 (Pennsylvania State University)

2001 Boys’ AAA Daniel Mazzocco 12 Baldwin 16:03.0 (Hersheypark Stadium White Field)

2011 Boys’ AAA Conner Quinn 11  Hatboro-Horsham 16:03 (Parkview XC Course, Hershey)

            2012 Boys’ AAA Tony Russell 11  W. C. Henderson  15:45 (Parkview XC Course, Hershey)

2013 .Girls’ AAA Tessa Barrett 12  Abington Heights 17:30 (Parkview XC Course, Hershey)

2013 Girls’ AA Elizabeth Chikotas 12 Saucon Valley  18:43 (Parkview XC Course, Hershey)

            2013  Boys’ AAA  Tony Russell 12  W. C. Henderson 15:49 (Parkview XC Course, Hershey)

More Vintage XC Pics From When We Still Were Going To The Moon

My minions have come through in a big way.  Here are some more pics from a XC Meet at Georgetown University circa 1970 or so.

Greg Fredericks.

Jimmy Allahand.

Greg Fredericks.

Charlie Maguire, Jimmy Allahand, (Gerth McKay), Dan Sapulski, John Fullmer and Bob Hillman.

Jimmy Miller (134) and Ralph Kissel.

John Fullmer.

Greg Fredericks.

I am also told that Coach Groves has some good stories about this meet.  (But then, Coach Groves has good stories about every meet.)