McCluer North High School - Polaris Yearbook (Florissant, MO)

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We | | | CQic ts A i? +s been a yeast -iyee'? v4) Dy i eek a Yea. 158 Bo 2 Pi la YA AG | + 1. a I most ON Cy Only IG rs. ult Se wou Cee ul ie bs SCHuring brhetice Pat McDonnel, , Humphrey, pay e sprint to the fini l Getting ever better “| have been excited since last spring,” replied Coach Mike Wagner when asked how he felt about the 1982-83 Boys’ Cross Country team. This year the team had seven returning runners. They were John Arnold, Lester Hill, Bruce Houghton, and Eric Topp, sen- iors, and Paul Gatrell, Tim Herrera, and Darren Downey, juniors. Coach Wagner felt he had an excellent group of boys this year. He also had high hopes for them going to the state cross country meet. When Darren Downey, junior, was asked about this year’s coaching staff, he re- a ys’ Cross Country plied enthusiastically, “Mr. Wagner is the best there is in the state, and he is also the only coach that runs with his team!” After school the cross country team ran up and down hills, and jogged through sub-divisions in neighboring areas. The team did not seem to mind the long, hard workouts as long as they did well in the meets. “| am excited about next year’s team because seven of my varsity runners will be returning.’”’ — Mike Wagner Coach Wagner also felt he had some ex- cellent sophomore runners. “They have a lot of talent,’ he commented. During the season, the Cross Country team participated in many important meets. Some of them were the Hazelwood Invitational, where the team placed twelfth out of twenty teams, the McCluer North Invitational, where they placed third out of six, and the Suburban North Conference meet where they placed fifth. Beginning a sprint workout, Eric Polk, sophomore, Eric Topp, senior, and Tom Smothers, sophomore, race across the McCluer North field. By himself, Lester Hill, senior, runs with determina- tion at the McCluer North Invitational. senior, AO YY and Dave

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more, run in a group. During a warm-up at practice, Dawn Hasmer, junior, Becky Cowles, senior, and Carol Hussey, sopho- McCluer North has had girls run cross country for three years, but 1982 was the first year the team completed the season with a full complement of runners. The 1982 squad not only completed the year, but they also established a variety of other standards. For instance, the whole team finished at the District and Conference meet. Cathy Taylor, senior, What a great year! also qualified for the state meet in Jeffer- son City. Eleven girls ran for the team this year; that was the most that ever went out. The team only consisted of two returning run- ners. They were Angie Wallace and Don- na Schenck, both seniors. “Any team from now on will com- pare their scores to what our young ladies accomplished this year.’’- Mike Wagner The Girls’ Cross Country team practiced every day after school. Most of their practices were run on campus or at the Civic Center. They often ran hills at the Civic Center and mile repeats on the course at MN. The team also had a new coach this year. Mike Wagner coached the girls’ team. He had coached the boys for many years, but this was the first year he coached the girls. When Beth Reuter, junior, was asked how she felt about her new coach, she replied, ‘Mr. Wagner did a great job. He was great for putting up with all the girls.” The team thought Mr. Wagner was an excellent coach. Working hard at practice, Carol Hussey, sophomore, sprints to the finish line. Dashing to the finish, Michele Carter, freshman, and Michele Hicks, sophomore, jog side by side. Girls’ Cross Country I57

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Running in front of his St. Mary’s opponent, Tim Herrera, junior, reaches the crest of the hill. Practicing for the Metro Invitational, Phil Springer, sophomore, and John Arnold, senior, compete for the best time. At the starting line on September Il, Tim Herrera and Darren Downey, juniors, and Eric Topp and John Arnold, seniors, concentrate on the upcoming race. 1982 Boy’s Cross Country Coach: Mike Wagner Hazelwood East 2nd St. Charles Inv. 4th McCluer North Inv. 3rd Rosary Hazelwood West Ist Hazelwood Inv. 12th Hancock Inv. 19th Hazelwood East Inv. 5th Conference 5th District 4th State Boys’ Cross Country I59