Bio

The 1969 Cross Country Team, under the direction of head coach Gary Dross, went undefeated with a record of 12-0 and became the College s first cross country team to win the Mid Hudson Conference Championship. The squad placed first in the two-year division of the Albany Invitational and was the NJCAA Region XV Cross Country Champion before finishing 14th at the National Championship. In 1969, there were no divisions at the national event and all schools raced at this one event.

Bill Wilbur was the team s leading runner in 1969, finishing as the first Colt across the line in 15 of the team s 16 races that fall. He was victorious in 11 dual meet races and also won the Albany Invitational, Mid-Hudson Conference title and the Region XV championship. During the season, Wilbur set or re-set 12 course and meet records.

Joining with Wilbur to give the Colts a dominating one-two punch was Gerry Hanlon, who was beaten by just one opponent, other than Wilbur, in the 12 dual meets. Hanlon also finished third at the regional meet and second at the Albany Invitational. During his lone individual victory of the year, Hanlon set a course record while helping the Colts to a 25-31 road victory at Suffolk, snapping the hosts 23-meet winning streak. Both teams had entered that highly anticipated showdown with unblemished 10-0 records.

The Colts demonstrated remarkable depth throughout the year, receiving key contributions from Jim Distefano, Rick Cole, Gary Cole, Ron Beagal, George Giveans, Steve Bryk, John Kennedy (team captain), John Ryan and Ken Lohmeyer.

Wilbur, Hanlon, Distefano and Beagal each earned both all-conference and all-region accolades. Rick Cole was also named all-conference while Giveans was tabbed all-region.