West Liberty Salem CC 1976

• orangechik00

  Don't know if this is "freehuddle worthy" but the 1976 West Liberty Salem boys cross country team is being inducted to the WLS Athletic Hall of Fame this weekend. The team went 158-0 and won the Class A State Meet with 55 points, (Gary Phelps 5th, 10:08, Butch Sower 7th 10:11, Duane Yoder 8th 10:12, Earl Zilles 13th 10:22, Bruce Hooley 20th 10:31, Brad Brandt 33rd 10:45 and Jeff Parker 42nd 10:50).
• NW5k

  orangechik00 wrote: Don't know if this is "freehuddle worthy" but the 1976 West Liberty Salem boys cross country team is being inducted to the WLS Athletic Hall of Fame this weekend. The team went 158-0 and won the Class A State Meet with 55 points, (Gary Phelps 5th, 10:08, Butch Sower 7th 10:11, Duane Yoder 8th 10:12, Earl Zilles 13th 10:22, Bruce Hooley 20th 10:31, Brad Brandt 33rd 10:45 and Jeff Parker 42nd 10:50).

  IT SURE IS !!!!!!!!!
  CONGRATULATIONS !!!!!!
• said_aouita

  

  I'm a tad shocked they are not already in!
  
  Dear lord, the famous shoe store in West Liberty is named after the cross-country team.
  
  http://www.bigorangeshoeshop.com/
• stationrun

  

  Definitely freehuddle worthy orangechik!! Congrats!
• orangechik00

  We've only had the hall of fame for 3 years but it is a little shocking it took 3 years to get the first team in school history to ever win a state championship inducted. I'm a little biased as Butch is my big brother.
• orangechik00

  The Big Orange Shoe Shop was founded by Ken Lehman the coach of the '76 team.
• said_aouita

  

  orangechik00 wrote: The Big Orange Shoe Shop was founded by Ken Lehman the coach of the '76 team.

  I heard a story that he wanted to get specific shoes for the team directly from the shoe company, but could not with-out a retailer license. The team was called the "Big Orange" so coach named his business "Big Orange Shoe Shop"
  .....the rest is history!
  
  Purchased my Saucony's at the BOSS.
• orangechik00

  I've heard the same story, Said. My brother did all the logos for the original store. You should've seen the letters Coach Lehman sent to his runners; talk about motivation, inspiration expectation. So great to reconnect with some of WL's greats. Lil Orange & the girls are pumped after the weekend with Coach Lehman and the team...look out!
  
  P.S. Thanks for supporting local businesses.
• Swamp Fox

  I've been around Cross-Country and track for a while and I can remember Earl Zilles. He turned into a great runner for West Liberty Salem.
• said_aouita

  

  One time in high school a few of us ran the Simon Kenton 5k. I look over and I'm with Earl Zilles in the lead! I'm feeling good, just chilling out....little did I know Earl was in the 10k. I finish, he ran the same pace for another 5k.....(LOL)
• said_aouita

  

  Did the old uni's way back when also say "Big Orange" on them?
  
  I wish Graham's XC team would also use the Old English G. I think the B-ball and wrestling teams are the only remaining teams to use the Old English G at Graham?
• orangechik00

  Yes, the old uniforms said Big Orange on them and they had orange shorts with white pinstripes. If I remember correctly (I was in elementary back in the hey day) a sports writer for the Bellefontaine Examiner called the team the Big Orange because they ran in a big pack. Another notable, Big Orange team member Bruce Hooley is on the radio call-in show The Fan on 97.1 with Chris Spielman. Spielman came to the induction dinner, spoke and gave a generous donation to the WLS athletic department after the school raised money for the Stefanie Spielman Foundation.
  
  I agree Said, Graham's CC team needs to bust out the Old English G.
• Gymshoe

  

  Great, great story. We need more of these type of stories on the T&CC forum. I love the legendary tales that come from the distant past. It gives you goosebumps.