XC Legacy Update: 1984 Highland, Idaho National Champions Honored

Highland Rams Bring Home National Championship

September 19, 2009

By: Aron Taylor, Milesplit Editor

In every state one man and one team redefine what it means to be successful. In the State of Idaho, this one man is coaching legend Bob Conley and that one team are the Highland Rams. Experiencing unparallelled success from 1980 until 1990, Highland amassed 9 state championships in 10 years. So dominant was the Conley program that they went undefeated for over 5 straight seasons.

Of all those great Ram teams perhaps none were better than in 1984. Headlined by all-american standouts Rob Rene and Marty Stroschein this team would storm through the season in epic fashion. Recently, the Milesplit XC Legacy series went back from 1980-1988 to establish the legitimate National Championship teams from each year.

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The breaking news of the 1984 team being awarded National Champions swept through the Pocatello Valley, reelectrified one of the greatest coaches in the nation, and inspired a new era of Ram cross country teams. To say this recognition has been long overdue would be an understatement. A city, a community, and school always knew how amazing the Rams programs were from 1983-1985. A special affinity is still help for each of the athletes and it was my honor to be in attendance to award this team, at Homecoming, as National Champions.

In attendance at this special event were five of the original seven members of that 1984 National Championship team. Likewise, the legend Bob Conley was there to greet the young men whom he led with a warm welcome home. Local coaching standout Chris Belcher and Highland Administration rolled out the red carpet and went allout, as it should have been, for this team of extraordinary men. Also in attendance was Jerry Powell the current Head XC Coach at Sugar Salem High School. Powell was a member if the 1983 US#3 Highland XC team. That team narrowly missed out in what could have been a three-way tie. It should be noted, the 1983 team is regarded as the #2 team in the history if Idaho cross country. But it was Powell and his 80-83 compatriates that set the standard with 3 straight undefeated season that would inspire the '84 team to greatness. As Jerry put it, "they only saw us winning, these guys were freshman when I was there and they saw what it took to be the best. We paved the foundation for them and they knew no better than to do it our way."

The assemby itself was incredible with an entire school body, local media and television, and the state association in attendance. As I watched the ceremony unfold I watched these men sitting in front of their peers, their coach, and their community. I imagined we had stepped into a time machine and went back to 1984. To hear the roar, the cheers, the applause, one could only assume this is how it should have been all those many years ago.

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Of that 1984 team the athletes that could attend were Rob Rene, Marty Stroschein, Darron Williams, Todd Humphreys and Richard Berndt. When the team reunited it was fun to listen to the memories of that great season. I had the opportunity to ask them some questions, most don't know, but there are some pretty remarkable individuals that competed for this team. Rob Rene is married to Laura Rene. Rene, who as a freshman at BYU was US Junior National 1500 meter champion as a 19 year old in 3:48. He was touted by greats Doug Padilla and Coach Robinson as a future sub 3:50 miler. Unfortunately he was hit by a truck and that dream would end. Rob has gone onto a very successful career as an Account Executive for Sterling Commerce Enterprise Software and still carries himself as the teams captain. Marty Stroschein is recently engaged to Karen Coakley which caused quite a stir, he currently is working for Maxim Intergrated Products. It would seem not only was Marty the greatest distance runner in the history if Idaho but may be Pocatello's most beloved. Richard "Chard" Berndt is married to Carrie, he is a Science teacher and Track & Field coach at Lighthouse Christian School in Twin Falls, Idaho. Todd Humphreys is married to Mindy and works in Medical Imaging Specialist-MRI.

Darron Williams, who ran around the gym electrifying the crowd was also featured on the front page of the Idaho State Journal. Williams, a full blooded native american was adopted by a very loving family. During his childhood he suffered a life threatening aneurism that dramatically impacted the potential of his future. Defying the odds, and rising to the top, Darron perservered and became a champion.

As the story goes, Darron came to school and was in the basketball gym where the coach asked him if he was playing football. Due to his previous surgery he was unable to participate in impact sports so the coach told him you are running cross country. To which Darron replied, no I am not. As his mother states, "he came home so mad, he did not want to run, but you know what, he runs to this day. What he experienced working with Bob changed his life."  Most don't know, not only was Darron a member of the 1984 National Championship team but he was also the reason that Highland would claim the 1985 State Championship. In that 1985 race, the contest was close, in the final 100 meters Williams blasted past two Borah competitors. In final team scoring Highland had won the State Championship by 1 point. Had Williams not passed those two runners his team would not have won and would not have completed the season ranked #6 in the nation. As with his life, Williams knows nothing of the word quit. He is energetic and charismatic as he shares his thoughts and feelings on those special years of his life and the coach that helped mold his character. Accompanied by his wife, Michelle, who herself is a former standout sprinter, Williams made history. Darron and Michelle have three children, James-13, Maizie-9, and Bianca-17. Currently they reside in Salt Lake City, Utah where Darron works for the Bureau of Land Management as Assistant Wildland Fire Management Officer.

The current Highland High School Rams had the unique experience of spending time on the old Highland Golf course with several of the athletes. Learning strategies, running a few miles, it is clear a torch has been passed. Currently, Highland is led by Chris Belcher. Belcher has been coaching the program for 9 years now. His current boys team is ranked #1 in the State of Idaho and #25 in the nation in Milesplit's extended rankings, his girls team is currently ranked #5 in the state. Belcher has rebuilt the most storied program in Idaho history. Belcher is known as the first coach in US History to organize and direct the nations first Region Championship race which featured 22 State Championship programs from five states and nearly 1000 athletes. Belcher is building a Legacy of his own and his teams are blazing their own trail. How fitting that we capstone one era of Idaho greatness and begin another. (photo: Chris Belcher, Highland XC Coach)