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Around the BIG 8
By Steve Clark
If I, as a reporter, were to take a survey of KU students to see how many had seen a cross country meet, the results would probably be discouraging.
Also, if I were to ask what the person thought a cross country meet to be like, I would probably receive an answer like this:
"There isn't much to them and they are really not exciting or too much fun. I suppose you see the runners start out and then they disappear for a while and then you get to see them cross the finish line. I wouldn't expect very many people to be there. After all, cross-country isn't a major sport."
While this would be a typical comment it is, nevertheless, wrong and an injustice to the sport. I suppose you are asking yourself why this writer thinks he knows so much, with his typical comments. It is simple, because he once felt that way.
1. like many KU male students, was familiar with the major sports—football, basketball and track—having participated in all three. I realized that cross country distance running was a gruelling sport and I respected the participants for competing. I did not, however, believe the sport to have any appeal for spectators. I was wrong.
I viewed my first cross country race this fall, a triangular between Southern Illinois, NAIA champion, Missouri. Big Eight rival, and of course Kansas. I arrived at the Lawrence Country Club at 10:15 mainly because it was an assignment for the UDK.
WHEN I ARRIVED I saw the competitors in their sweat togs limbering up for the race. The coaches were hurriedly preparing their lineups for the event. The timers and judges were consulting with each other so that there would be no mixups or discrepancies once the meet got underway.
Much to my surprise there was a sound truck. At the microphone was the "voice of KU" Doctor Edward Elbel, the public address announcer at KU football and basketball games. "I sure didn't expect him to be announcing at a cross country." I thought to myself.
The crowd surprised me too. I expected to be the only person other than a coach, trainer, or participants to be there. Once more I was in for a surprise. Gathered there were 100 KU students and others. There were some girls there too which raised my estimation of the race as a spectator sport.
AMONG THE KU STUDENTS were 35-40 members of Sigma Alpha Epsilon social fraternity. The Sig Alphas were out strong to support "brothers" Bill Dotson, Charlie Hayward and Tonni Coane who were running in 1-2-3 position for the Jayhawkers that day. The Sig Alphas were to provide a lot of support for Coach Bill Easton's crew.
Wes Santee, former Kansas great cross-country runner, started the race. Much to my surprise I was able to see the entire course with the exception of three-eighths of a mile behind a short incline.
AS THE RUNNERS reached the far turn I noticed that the Sig Alphs and co-eds had started running toward the hill. In order not to miss any of the race I did too. I reached the hill a minute before the runners did. I watched as the runners doggedly climbed the incline. Swat and signs of fatigue covered their faces. The Sig Alphs cheered and encouraged the KU runners to "move out." After this, a new sense of determination came over the distance men.
I moved about 50 vards so that I would see the runners round the hill. It was a close race. Dotson, Hayward, Ralston and Coane were fighting it out with Joe Thomas, NAIA individual champion, and several other SIU runners.
The runners rounded the far turn again (as the course is circled twice for the total three miles) and headed toward the hill. The front runners were still grouped together. As they fought up the incline the spectators shouted words of encouragement, "Come on Bill, Get 'em Charlie, Go Tonni." The runners responded to the pleas with a new spirit of determination.
THE RUNNERS WENT over the hill. I headed back toward the finish line. It was going to be close, I couldn't miss the finish.
I arrived at the line and waited anxiously for the runners to appear. "It's going to be close," said a KU student standing next to me.
Just then, rounding the hill was the KU captain. Dotson, seconds lapsed and then appeared Hayward, about 10 yards behind the leader. The crowd started cheering and clapping. Dotson kicked into "high gear" for his finish. Both KU runners who were out in front of the two SIU runners, gunned down the final stretch. The crowd was aghast they couldn't believe it.
WHAT HAD HAPPENED behind that hill? The spectator doesn't know for sure, because he missed that part. But, nevertheless, it made the finish twice as exciting.
The race was over and KU won. Coaches Easton and Lawson (Bob) were patting their boys on the back and congratulating them. The spectators headed back to their cars. Many were discussing various phases of the race, others were asking, "When do we run next?"
I glanced at my watch, from the time I had arrived, to the race's completion only 30 minutes had elapsed. "Sure doesn't take much time, I thought to myself. I can get back to the house and do some studying."
ON MY WAY HOME. I couldn't help but think how wrong I had been about the sport. "More KU students should know about this," I thought to myself, "I'm going to write a column telling them about it."
Tomorrow the Kansas Jayhawkers have another cross country race. This meet is going to be different from others, however. There is going to be a championship at stake, the Big Eight.
Last year the Hawkers lost the title for the first time in 13 years. This year, they are determined to win it back. Revenge is in the minds of the KU runners.
I KNOW, THAT THIS MEET is going to be the best of the year. The outstanding runners in the Big Eight are competing for a top prize, the conference individual and team championship.
The race starts at 10:30 and is held at the Lawrence Country Club.
Dotson Among Top In Nation
"He is the ideal boy to coach," said cross-country Coach Bill Easton of his captain and star performer Bill Dotson, Jamestown senior.
"Bill listens to instruction very well. He has the tendency to work very hard.
"BILL HAS A GREAT DESIRE to perform and a terrific will to win against the best of opposition. He wants to be a great performer. He sets very high goals for himself and constantly strives to reach them.
"It is because he sets and strives toward such high goals that he is such a great competitor," continued Easton.
Dotson is in his second year of varsity cross country competition. Last year, after laying out his sophomore season, he finished fifth in the Big Eight.
THIS YEAR EXPECTATIONS are high for the Jamestown lad. Area coaches and writers believe he can win both the Big Eight and the NCAA individual championships.
If Dotson should become NCAA champion he will become the fourth Jayhawker during Easton's reign to accomplish this. He will join former Hawkers Herb Semper, who won the title twice, Wes Santee and Al Frame as NCAA cross country champions.
Easton admits that the senior stalwart certainly ranks with these performers in ability and accomplishments, whether he wins the NCAA or not.
BESIDES cross country. Dotson runs the half-mile and mile in varsity indoor and outdoor track. He is the Big Eight indoor and outdoor mile champion.
Last year at the NCAA meet in Philadelphia Dotson squared off against the nation's top collegiate miler Daryl Burleson from Oregon and dueled the distance ace all the way before being defeated in a close finish.
Dotson ran his fastest time in that meet, 4:02.9.
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