The Black and Gold 1976
Devoted Harriers Spot Twelfth Out of 27
Physical size and depth would most normally confine any contingent in the world ofcross country. But "through sheer hard work and determination," in the words of Head Coach Tom Marks, the five female harriers were able to "accomplish much more than larger, deeper teams." The four underclassmen-three returnees-and novice runner dubbed themselves the "Mighty Midgets."
While most teams failed to field enough girls to officially place, the Tiger runners spotted twelfth out of 27 in the Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) State Championship Meet at the Pali Golf Course.
Opening their season, the Tigers niched sixth place in the Waialua Invitational.
Pulled muscles, shin splints and the flu afflicted the Micks throughout the season. With less than five finishers, McKinley missed qualifying for team standings in the Punahou Invitational and the OIA Championships at Waialua.
Two continued applying their acquired skills to track and field events.
Young Female Tracksters Notch Third-Year
The quest to establish female athletics at McKinley gained another notch as the Girls' Track Team entered its third-year of existence in the OIAA Heavy recruiting from intermediate feeder schools amassed youthful and budding runners for novice competition. The six seniors flanked the individual events in the open division.
Named McKinley's outstanding female athlete in 1975, head mentor Jackie Young, aided by two former Tiger tracksters, propelled the squad of 30 to practice wholeheartedly for the Kailua Relays on March 12 and the Honolulu District Meet on March 17. The month of April brought the OIA championships with the Punahou Relays following on May 1.
Qualifying a group to the HHSAA state meet on Maui was the goal as much potential rested in the young tracksters.
The key to their success lie in the girls' ability to remain unified as a team.
McKinley High School Class of 1977
40th Reunion Summer 2017
