1971 Sayville High Cross Country Team State Championship! 50 Year Anniversary!

It is the 50th Anniversary of the Cross Country team’s State Championship in the fall of 1971.

Can’t believe it’s been 50 years!

I am so happy to have been a part of this fantastic SHS team. But before I write anything else I must say this.

The key to our success was our coach Carl Varone!

Coach Varone was truly an incredible leader and most of all a kind fair inspirational person who changed my life. I’d imagine he had that effect on many others – on the field/floor and in the classroom.

The prior year, fall of 1970, we had won the League, County and placed 2nd in the State meet.

With the team mostly intact in 1971 we were primed to achieve the ultimate goal.

We competed at a high level, winning League dual meets and some big invitational races.

It was satisfying to repeat as League Champions and County Champions.

We then focused on The States. While we felt confident, it was tempered by the fact anything could happen and we focused on running the best race of our lives.

I have only vague memories of the race. I do remember the anxious moments after finishing before we realized we had indeed won the State Championship.

What a feeling of pride and joy while receiving our awards during the ceremony a few hours later.

Proudest of all was Coach Varone and we were so happy to have given our all for him.

This Cross Country team had a spirit across all levels. There was a bond between us as we supported each other whether Varsity, Junior Varsity, Freshman team. We all celebrated our success whether at the finish line, on the bus ride back to the school or at the post season celebration at the Gubbins household.

Sayville High School 1971
State Champions

Coach
Carl Varone

Team Managers
Mary Quibell
Liz Weston

Runners

Mark Alturi *
Dan Berg
Jerry Collins
Pat Gubbins *
Chris Horn *
Dave Jackson *
Jim Jones
Dave Neilson
Chris Reed
Jim Ryan
Kevin Quinn *

* The first five finishers winning the State Championship

It is one of the highlights of my life during what I consider wonderful times during my days at Sayville High School.

Chris Horn ‘73
El Cerrito, CA

Tribute to Dave Jackson

This team like so many was very close and included an outstanding runner.

Michael Champlin commented – “I remember us going to an invitational @ Cortlandt* and Dave Jackson winning our race. Dave decided he wasn’t finished and decided to run during the college race. If memory serves me correctly he came in top 5 of that race although it wasn’t official. In my book Dave was the greatest runner SHS had during my HS years”.

* Van Cortlandt Park in New York City

Thank You for the memory and gives me the chance to say that I agree.

I was once asked about Dave and my immediate response was effortless. His smooth strong stride was poetry in motion, he made it look effortless. His talent was so natural he was one of the best in the state during this time.

I can categorically say David Jackson is one of the greatest runners in Sayville history.  I believe there is a second SHS State Champion Cross Country team with an outstanding individual runner after our ‘71 team.

Can this be confirmed and identified?

A story

About mid-season on a Saturday during the fall of 1971.

We were going to run in an Invitational meet at Sunken Meadow Park on the North Shore in the morning. There was a home football game in the afternoon.

Me being in the Marching Band, I’d typically play sousaphone at home football games.

Band director Tom Wolf asked a special request of me if after this race I could get back in time to play during the game/halftime.

We ran the race, Dave was the first finisher and the team won first place.

My parents immediately rushed me back and I made it in time to join the marching band in the stands. All was good and the football team was winning.

Probably between the third and fourth quarters it was announced the Cross Country team had won the invitational meet and that the team would take midfield in front of everyone.

The team trotted out through the gate closest to the school to the middle of the field accepting the loud applause – me joining in with my dear fellow band members.

I’ll never forget at the height of the applause team captain Kevin Quinn rose the tall trophy high over his head in a triumphant gesture. The team accepted the cheers emanating from the packed stands.

I felt a touch left out since I wasn’t able to be on the field with the team. But it was actually fun observing Kevin’s gesture from my vantage point.

Everyone in the brass section was patting me hard on the back in congratulation. I had the best of both worlds at that moment.

In my three years on the team, it was the only time we received such a public recognition and it was really appreciated by the team.

After all these years, I’d like to send out a Thank You to those on the sidelines and in the stands that Saturday afternoon applauding our efforts.

Chris Horn ‘73

Finally

I want to Thank Hal Brown for all his help presenting this to you. Thank You, Hal!

We worked together me supplying some content and he put it all together, formatting adding Suffolk County News articles and class photos. Thank You, Hal!

I know he wants to present stories that paint a picture of Sayville High School.

He would love to hear from anyone interested in telling a story and/or supplying a photo illuminating SHS history.

Hal Brown – halgbrown@sayvillealumni.org

Be it regarding student life, activities, teachers, sports, coaches, music (how about School Musicals – I participated all four years, such fun) he is open to all possible topics.

One idea maybe a 1973 classmate might be able to tackle.

This year is the 50th Anniversary of the 1972 Football team winning the Rutgers Cup. (Sayville’s first?)

Anyone up to sharing what it was like being on the team, leading cheers, in the stands. After-game gatherings at Frances’ Sweet Shop.

How about the electrifying Smith to Smith connection.

The All American honored duo Chad Smith passing to Derek Smith receiving. “No relation” as it was always noted in the newspapers.

If you want to share your story, Hal will be happy to help you. There is so much SHS history to share

Please consider contacting him – I make this appeal.

Hal Brown – halgbrown@sayvillealumni.org