1978 Cross Country

The 1970’s were the original “golden era” of high school distance running in the United States. Influenced by the University of Oregon’s powerful cross country and track teams, Oregon high schools produced numerous teams and individuals that made a strong case for Oregon being the nation’s leader in distance running.

It was during that era that Astoria’s 1978 cross country team would race their way into the history books by placing second at the State Championship against some of the top teams in the United States.

On a cold November morning at Eugene’s Lane Community College, purple was the school color of the day as Axemen of South Eugene, the Apollos of Sunset from Beaverton, and the Astoria Fishermen battled it out for the top three spots, with South Eugene winning and Astoria and Sunset settling second and third in literally the very last step of the race.

For the Fishermen it was the culmination of one of, if not the most, successful seasons in school history. Especially when Astoria’s small enrollment just qualified for the large school classification. The dedication of this team was forged by many out of season, cold, wet, winter days out voluntarily running the hills of Astoria.

The season started with the Fishermen sweeping the Coast-Valley league with a perfect score of 15 points. As the season progressed, the team would go undefeated (11-0) in league dual meets.

The Columbia River Invitational in Vancouver, WA attracted top teams from Washington and Oregon with Astoria finishing second to the host school. In their own Astoria Invitational at Fort Steven’s Coffenbury Lake, the Fishermen raced second to Washington defending state champion North Central of Spokane.Their final “big meet” preparation for the State championships came at the prestigious South Salem Invitational where they placed fourth.

Of the 154 runners in the 1978 Oregon State Championship, Astoria’s places were:

Fred Sproul- 3rd – 14:49 – First Team All-State individual Coast-Valley League District champion

Paul Mattson- 38th – 15:26 – First Team All Coast-Valley League

John Goodenberger- 45th - 15:33 – First Team All Coast-Valley League

Tad Gotting- 55th – 15:47

Devin Hearing- 66th – 15:54

Curtis Rutherford- 93rd – 16:12

Mike Freese- 127th – 16:51

They were and remain a coach’s dream. For the next 30 years, members would return to help coach new Fishermen teams, travel to meets to cheer Astoria on, and run in the Alumni meet that starts each season off with a highly competitive race between the current team and its veteran graduates.