XC Legacy-Harrier Teams of the Decade 1980-1989 *Special Edition

XC Legacy-Harrier Teams of the Decade: 1980-1989

Every season brings new hopes and dreams of season ending state championships, for a select few the potential for a national championship. Since 1970 elite programs have left a lasting legacy on the sport with extraordinary team efforts. A level of excellence that borders on greatness, magical moments that will be recorded into history as XC Legacy Classics.  

During the 1980’s national champions emerged to place their stamp on cross country history. Climbing to the top of the prep cross country mountain national champions were born and legends created. Teams of the decade and memorable moments etched in time.  

If you have ever been a part of a state championship team you know the feeling of accomplishment accompanied with victory. Each year there come very special programs across the country that step beyond simply winning and into a realm of total domination. It is in these moments of triumph that the questions of teams "greatness" are raised. Extraordinary accomplishments that warrant recognition and validation to set in stone once and for all, their XC Legacy.

The true excitement of national team cross country stardom began with the publication of the Harrier magazine in 1974. The Harrier was the premier national high school cross country report. Founded by legendary prep cross country editor Marc Bloom the Harrier released the Top 50 High School All-Americans in 1974 and 1975. The first team rankings were released in 1976 and 1977. Following the 1977 season the Harrier was discontinued until being resurrected by Bloom in 1989.

In 1989 Marc Bloom's Harrier magazine began publishing the Harrier Super 25 National XC Rankings. It was this publication and the excitement it created that would play a part in inspiring the formation of Nike Team Nationals. The Super 25 Rankings allowed teams around the country a national forum and an opportunity to win the coveted Harrier Super 25 National XC Championship released through the Harrier report.

1981 Carmel, Indiana;  *Team of the Decade 1980-1989

From 1980-1989 no team defined a decade like Chuck Koeppen’s Carmel, Indiana Greyhounds. Finishing as back-to-back National Champions 1981-1982, the Carmel teams were ranked in the top 15 nationally for nine consecutive seasons. Adding upon a 1978 National Championship Koeppen’s Carmel teams produced the premier prep cross country program of the decade; with the 1981 Carmel Greyhounds perhaps the best prep squad in US history.

The 1981 Indiana State Championship meet is something of cross country lore. The Greyhounds would finish with a 7 second 1-5 spread and a 15:16 5000 meter average. In 1981 Carmel produced a team championship performance over 5000 meters that has stood the test of time as the greatest team championship achievement in the past three decades for that distance.

Throughout the annuals of history few teams have come and gone that have left as lasting legacy as the 1981 Carmel team. Among the contenders for greatest of all-time is a list of a select few national cross programs. The 1977 Deerfield Illinois, 1980 Bloomington North Indiana, 1972 Lompoc California, and 1999 York Illinois top the list. The 1981 Carmel team is among that prestigous list of national champions.

"That 1981 team was the best group I coached, the closest group I ever coached that equalled that amazing 1977 Deerfield team. I don't think there has ever been a doubt that team could possibly be one of the best ever. We had a group of young men who just committed to excellence. The thing I remember about that group is that they always ran together, even at state, they just packed at the front and let the race happen" Chuck Koeppen, 4-time National Champion Coach, 78', 81', 82', 87'.

In 1981 the Carmel program was at a precipice seeking a 5^th state championship in 6 seasons. A program five seasons in the making with a coach coming into his own and a program gleaming with potential. It would be no surprise to those within Indiana that the 1981 season would culminate in something special for Carmel high. Together let us revisit a spectacular season in US cross country history.

1981 Carmel Season Summary

The Western High meet proved to be a first step as Carmel scored 16 points for the team victory. In a meet where four runners would finish ahead of the state 3200 meter (9:14) champion Bob Stolz the team filed in 1. Richie Garing 15:41; 2. David Widmer 15:51; 3. Adam Smith 15:54; 4. Leonard Bareford 16:01; 5. Bob Stolz 16:07; 6. Dan Boston 16:18.

The next major ice-breaker for the Greyhounds came at the Indiana Ben Davis Invitational against 12 teams. Carmel scored a perfect 15 points with the top five tying for first place in a course record 15:33 for 5000 meters. 1. David Widmer 15:33; 2. Adam Smith 15:33; 3. Dan Boston 15:33; 4. Richie Garing 15:33; 5. Leonard Bareford 15:33.

September 23, 1981: At the Warren Central Invitational the Greyhounds again scored 15 points with the top five tying for first place in a course record 15:52.7 for 5000 meters. 1. Dan Boston 15:52.7; 2. Adam Smith 15:52.7; 3. David Widmer 15:52.7; 4. Richie Garing 15:52.7; 5. Leonard Bareford 15:52.7.

September 24, 1981: Against Lawrence North, Carmel scored 16 points with the top five under 15:48 for 5000 meters. The team average of 15:25 over 5000 meters was a meet record. 1. Adam Smith 15:14; 2. Richie Garing 15:16; 3. Dan Boston 15:21; 4. David Widmer 15:26; 6. Leonard Bareford 15:48.

September 29, 1981: Against Pike, Carmel scored 15 points with the top 5 averaging 15:41 over 5000 meters. 1. Leonard Bareford 15:30; 2. Adam Smith 15:30; 3. David Widmer 15:37; 4. Richie Garing 16:14.

October 3, 1981: At the 6^th Annual Ill-Iana Classic the Koeppen led Greyhounds won with 25 points and a 15:15 3-mile average. Placing five in the top 7 places in the 18 team meet was phenomenal. 3. Adam Smith 15:12; 4. David Widmer 15:13; 5. Richie Garing 15:14; 6. Dan Boston 15:17; 7. Lee Bareford 15:23.

October 8, 1981: At the Olympic Conference Championships Carmel won with 24 points and five in the top seven places. 2. Richie Garing 15:27; 4. David Widmer 15:38; 5. Dan Boston 15:39; 6. Leonard Bareford 15:42; 7. Adam Smith 15:42.

October 13, 1981: At the Hamilton County Championships Carmel wins with 15 points and the top five tying for first place. 1. Adam Smith 16:32; 2. David Widmer 16:32; 3. Richie Garing 16:32; 4. Dan Boston 16:32; 5. Leonard Bareford 16:32.

October 17, 1981: At the Pike Sectional Championships Carmel would again score a perfect 15 points with the top five tying for first place. 1. Adam Smith 16:08; 2. David Widmer 16:08; 3. Dan Boston 16:08; 4. Richie Garing 16:08; 5. Leonard Bareford 16:08.

October 24, 1981: At the IHSAA Regional Championships Carmel set the meet record with a perfect score of 15 team points. In the 10 team meet Carmel asserted their dominance with a 15:30 average over 5000 meters. 1. David Widmer 15:17.7* Course Record; 2. Dan Boston 15:26; 3. Richie Garing 15:33; 4. Leonard Bareford 15:39; 5. Adam Smith 15:39.

October 31, 1981: At the IHSAA Semi-State Championships Carmel rested senior Richie Garing in preparation for the state championship assault. Carmel still won with 41 team points over 16 teams. 2. Adam Smith 15:59; 3. Leonard Bareford 15:59; 5. Dan Boston 16:04; 8. David Widmer 16:18; 23. Jon Beasley 16:55.