As the month of September rapidly approaches, the anticipation and excitement for this upcoming Cross Country season is really starting to grow. The team this year is bigger and better than it has been in a long time, and the coaches think that the roots have been set for success this year and beyond.
Most of our memories and stories we have from our XC seasons that we remember or hear from O’Leary have dated back to the 1972-1973 seasons. One of the main reasons why this website was started was to create a place where those memories could be shared and relived. But what about the South harriers from before 1972? To be a part of the XC/Track teams from any year at South is special and creates a bond that will always be strong among the alumni.
With that being said, we were able to find some great photos from the 1962 XC team (as well as the track team which we will post at a later date) from a TRS alumni website (trhs63.com).
The 1962 XC team was mostly underclassmen, with only one Senior, Alan Spector. The team had a dual meet record of 2-4 with wins against Central and Shore regional. Home meets were at the Toms River Golf Course (now called Bey-Lea). They had four major championship meets, three of which are still run today (Ocean County, Shore Conference, and the State Meet) and one that does not sound familiar (Central Jersey Meet).
According to the yearbook, the team was coached by D. Walker, with standout runners Jack Stewart and Tom Samota, both who were Juniors in the 1962 season.
The 1962 XC team:
Front Row: C. Brown; V. Sorrentino; K. Putman; C. Schiller; R. Lee; G. Traub Back Row: A. Spector; J. Stewart; J. Rutledge; D. Walker; coach; P. Hazlett; K. Bance
Bob Lee on left (in white with red stripe) finishing at an Asbury Park meet; Alan Spector in picture on right
Tom Samota, Alan Spector, Drew Dalva, and Jack Stewart warming up before a meet at the Toms River Golf Course
Anybody know anything about this team or any of the teams from those years? Please feel free to share them here.
Toms River South Indians 
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