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A. Richmond "Boo" Morcom '47, Paul Sweet and Edmund Styrna '48.

The gun went off and UNH harriers battled the runners of Northeastern University across hill and dale. The first important meet of the season was a loss. Whatever optimism may have existed in the pre-season must have become as dreary as an early winter. That autumn proved to be a dismal one for UNH sports teams—for all UNH sports teams except one.

The next three meets were dual meets against Yankee conference rivals. George Estabrook led the way and the sophomores held their own. The result was successive wins against Rhode Island, Maine and Massachusetts. New Hampshire was beginning to look like a cross country power house. The next meet was different. It was a three-way meet between UNH, Bates College and Boston University. Boston University was not to be taken lightly (Dave Hemery, future Olympic 400-meter hurdle champion and world record holder attended BU.).

The meet was held at Bates in Lewiston, Maine. An exciting duel for first place resulted in George Sharkus of Boston University edging out George Estabrook to win. Estabrook was followed by Charlie Morrill, Rick Bell, Bob Estabrook, Mark Springate and Rick Dunn. Runners from Bates and BC separated the leading UNH pack from Steve Young. The result was an impressive UNH win. New Hampshire—20; Boston University—53; Bates—63.

The following week, Oct. 30, 1965, was the Yankee Conference championship meet held in Durham. Earlier wins in conference dual meets did not guarantee a win in the dynamics of a larger field of runners. Would the Wildcats success so far prove a jinx or "hex" as one newspaper suggested? Or was this the year? Six teams and over 50 runners lined up at the start. They included a strong Rhode Island team and a Massachusetts team led by last year's conference champion Terrone Carpenter. The meet was held to coincide with half-time of the football game that Saturday. The start and finish could be observed from the stands accommodating a few thousand fans. For those that craned their necks much of the race could be followed before the runners entered the woods. During the last mile the runners would emerge from the woods, run down the road adjacent to the railroad tracks, disappear behind the field house before emerging to run the last few hundred yards past the end of the stadium and behind the stands to the finish.

A. Richmond "Boo" Morcom '47 with Paul Sweet and his son.

The gun went off. The broad phalanx of runners rushed forward with much jostling before it converged and bunched and then began to string out as the procession began its miles-long trek. Some in the stands watched in interest or curiosity. The runners trooped their way around the course loops alternatively visible and obscured from the view of those who cared to watch. The lead gaggle thinned out. It became apparent George Estabrook was dueling with the top runners from other schools, including Terry Carpenter, the previous year's individual champion.

With the first half of the race behind them the procession of runners disappeared from view into the woods south of the stadium. It was too early to parse what team might have the advantage though the blue trimmed white outfits of the New Hampshire runners seemed to be well represented in the first half of the pack. Carpenter drifted back, leaving George Estabrook in the lead. In the woods, two Rhode Island runners closed in on Estabrook. They gained in confidence as they ran through the conifers and over the pine needle strewn path.

Rhode Island runners McGinnis and Cook had enough confidence and breath to exchange a few comments. Barely ahead George Estabrook was close enough to hear the words "Let's pass this guy, he's no good" and was incensed. Somewhere inside himself he found additional resolve and energy. He quickened his tempo and headed onto the hardtop opening his lead on the Rhode Islanders. The hill up and behind the field house was in sight. The race to the finish was on.

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