Austin Peay State University - Yearbook (Clarksville, TN)

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TRAINER JEFF DAINEL Mbove Lem offers assistance to an injured cross country participant. Mark Spurgeon Mbova follows the 10.000-meter course while Ron Erickson and Melvin Pritchard uem attempt to move up in the pack. 161

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Austin Peay cross country coach Wayne Williams knew about what to expect as he entered his outmanned squad into the impressive competition offered in the Ohio Valley Conference Cross Country Championships. t'We will be running with some of the best cross country people in the nation, said Williams. As host of the 1976 championships, Williams could only hope for a high finish in the bottom four of the conference as Western Kentucky, East Tennessee, Murray State and Eastern Kentucky presented strong contingents. With freshman Zafar Ahmed finishing 25th over the 10,000-meter course at Swan Lake Golf Course. the Governors placed seventh in the eight team field as Western Kentucky took top honors in the event. For many years cross country in the OVC has ranked with the best in collegiate competition and 1976 was no exception. Ahmed, a Canadian with a great future, was clocked in 33:40 while the Governors next finisher, Earl Palmer, placed 40th with a 34:53 time. Other regulars on the Austin Peay cross country team included Nate Deer, Ron Erickson, Bernard Lykes, Melvin Pritchard and Mark Spurgeon. As Williams noted, the emphasis at APSU has not been on cross country. 'We think we could develop a good program in cross country but it's a tough conference to compete in. ON THE RUN - Austin Peay's home cross country meets in 1976 were run at Swan Lake Golf Course. Highlighting the home schedule was the Ohio Valley Conference championships. Austin Peay coach Wayne Williams Hopi is shown giving instructions prior to the start of the competition while Zafar Ahmed tAbovei challenges two runners from Eastern Kentucky. Bernard Lykes tLefn searches for extra strength as he jogs along the course.

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162 tMisfortune' pays a visit to track team By DOUG VANCE In the bewildering world of track and field competition, a championship can crumble or become a reality in a matter of seconds. In 1976 Austin Peay's track contingent rose up out of deepest adversity to claim its first Ohio Valley Conference outdoor championship. A significant accompiishment when you consider that four years earlier the Governors failed to score a point in the competition. On a dark and gloomy afternoon in Bowling Green last season, coach Wayne Williams saw his hopes for a second title vanish as misfortune paid an unexpected visit to Governor representatives in the 110-meter high hurdle and 100-meter-dash competition. Williams, the bright and aggressive former assistant at Alabama, modestly claimed it was still a good season and promised his team would be a contender once again in 1978. Who were the headliners last season? You can start with sophomore sprinter Johnny Williams, who established his speed as among the best in college competition. Williams had a 210.1 clocking in the 100 and :20.6 time in the 200 as he qualified for the second straight year in the NCAA championships. A pulled hamstring probably cost Williams a first place in the 100 and 200 meter championship in the OVC last GOOD EFFORT - Austin Peay's Pat Fogarty strains for additional distance as he competes in the OVC long jump championships at Western Kentucky in 1977. Wayne Wiiliams tLem observes the competition with his stop watch recording the finish. season and plagued him in further championship competition. Perhaps the Governors' most consistent performer was Pat Fogarty who competed in the llO-high hurdles, long jump and ran a leg on the championship 440-relay squad. Fogarty fell early in the 110-meter high hurdle competition in OVC championship competition and failed to finish. In the shot put and discus department, Austin Peay presented one the best in the OVC as John Eddins cont- inued to demonstrate his talent. Bernard Lykes was excellent as he took top honors in the 800-meter competition during the OVC championships and freshman distance runner Zafar Ahmed showed promise as he offered impressive performances throughout the year. Williams tthe coachi received support from pole vaulters Glen Colivas, who won the OVC, and Doug Zimmerman; high jumper Warner Brown tfinished second in the OVC9; intermediate hurdlers Frank Laga and Doug Finley and sprinter Coveak Moody.