1968 Boys Track

Prior to the start of the 1968 season, the track team set a goal to win it all but knew changes had to be made to their home track to prepare for a championship season. The track team had been competing in meets that took place at the old football field at Fuerstenau and had an unfavorable uphill slope. Realizing the disadvantage of their home track, the coaching staff decided to paint a track complete with lanes on the pavement of the high school parking lot. Although the track spanned only 330 meters, it gave them a level playing field and allowed them to display their athletic prowess in the sprint and distance events. For each event, the team measured the appropriate distances, and the fast surface helped them win home dual meets en route to a 16-0 dual meet record. Heading to the state meet at Central Michigan University with a Central Michigan Athletic Conference title and a Regional title, the Panthers felt that they had a chance at a state championship with accomplished runners, jumpers, and throwers in every event. Toward the end of the state meet, securing the victory came down to the mile relay. The event went as planned as the strong distance team clinched a 41-32 win over Akron-Fairgrove.

The 1968 Boys Track State Champions included the following members:  Jim Ashley, Jim Bouts, Louie Brandon, Mike Cole, Wally Cutler, Mike Dolby, Jack Faught, Ed Fosnight, Lynn Green, Mike Hennigan, Bob Jackson, Roger Kaminski, Steve Markham, Fred Mazur, Ron Rademacher, Dave Reed, Ed Reed, Dan Ruble, Dave Salters, Quinton Smith, Steve Tews, Frank Toleson, LeRoy Ward, Loren Ward, Brian Wood, Bob Young, Head Coach William Gillingham and Assistant Coach Thomas Kromer.