Looking back - September 1981

40 Years ago (Sept 1981) - I kicked off my senior year of Cross-Country at Billerica high school with four consecutive wins and four course records in September of 1981. On the 15th we beat Lowell at home with a sweep of the top five spots (15-40). I was first in 15:17 over what I recall was an XC course in name only. I'd estimate that at least half of the course was paved. A week later (09/21) we suffered a tough loss to Chelmsford on our home course, losing by a scant point 27-28. I lowered my course record to 15:07 on this day and some familiar names from Chelmsford ran quite well that day (Scott Spence 16:03 & Keith O'Brien 16:28). Four days later (09/25) we took on Wilmington on their course where I set a new record winning in 12:47, we beat them 18-37.  Three days after that (09/28) we raced at Austin Prep where I ran 12:00 for a new record on their 2.4 mile course. We won this meet as well, besting Austin 22 to 33. In all we finished with 5 wins and 1 loss in the MVC west division.

Loss 28-27 Chelmsford 09-21-81
1 15:07 Dave Dunham     Billerica
2 15:47 Mike Busnach      Billerica
3 16:03  Scott Spence      Chelmsford
4 16:26  Dave Kelts          Chelmsford
5 16:28  Keith O’Brien      Chelmsford
6 16:40  Bernie Brown      Billerica
7 16:53  Dave McCarthy    Chelmsford
8 16:58  Dave Willman     Chelmsford
9 17:12  Jim Sullivan        Billerica
10 17:31 Kevin Healy        Billerica
 
Billerica’s 7^th man was Freshman Gary Disarcina who went on to play professional baseball for the California Angles from 1989-2000.  His career stats: Batting average .258, Home runs 28, Runs batted in 355.
 
From Scott Spence: “Painful memories that will never fade.  Race was at Chelmsford.  I went out knowing I had to break up their top 3 and we would win.  Every time I moved into third position, the guy behind me would pass me, I would pass again and a different runner was now behind me.  I'd pass again and it would continue. Bad strategy on my part, I should have hung back till the last 1/2 mile.   I was totally spent by mile 3.  They got top 3 and won.  I think I did PR though.  I did get my revenge in the winter 2 mile where I out kicked Cameron twice in the same race to win (and secure the dual meet win).  We ran together for 22 laps and I out kicked him for the win, then as we had our hands on our knees, both coaches came running up to us and said that the official had miscounted the laps and we had one more lap to go. We raced around again with the same result”.