Cross Country Hall of Fame

Front row, left to right: Chris Stillson, Brian Hamby, Brad Hamby, Brett Simpson

Back row: Coach Tom Meyers, Stan Johnson, Ralph Phillips, Tom Gorham, Tony McCoy Not pictured: Assistant Coach Greg Silzer

The 1985 Elmwood Cross Country team had no returning runners from the 1984 top five. The top five for ’85 included two juniors who were 6th and 7th runners in ’84, a senior who did not run in ’84 (injury), a junior in his first year of cross country, and a sophomore who had never run in a varsity race. The team managed to work themselves up to the #3 ranking in the final poll. Then they proceeded to pull off an amazing upset by beating #1 Pontiac and #2 Yorkville 69-93-126 for the state championship. We have called this the miracle team considering their run to the championship with so little experience and depth. The Elmwood runners were: Sr. Stan Johnson, 3rd in 15:12; Jr. Tony McCoy, 17th in 15:37; Jr. Tom Gorham, 23rd in 15:42; Jr. Brent Simpson, 31st in 15:51; So. Ralph Phillips, 40th in 15:59; Jr. Brad Hamby, 124th in 17:20, and Jr. Brian Hamby, 158th in 18:08.