Page 110 - 1976

ABOVE: Various looks of anticipation and dismay are recorded prior to the big race against Portsmouth Abbey at Roger Williams Park.

With the loss of last year’s top four runners, the 1975 Moses Brown Cross-Coun­
try Team lacked depth. The season was primarily a building one, and was not as suc­
cessful as in previous years. Nevertheless, the Quaker harriers were able to finish the
season with a 3-3 record and, in the Class B Championships, avenge two of their ear­
lier defeats.
Captain Allen Harper led the team with strength and consistency. Mark DeFeo ran
equally well and, in several of the meets, was the first MB runner to cross the finish
line. Dave Shaw, Chuckie DeBlois, Pete Burbelo, Mark Foisy, and Robert Settipane
added strength to the team. Also running well were freshmen Mike Rollins, Rolando
Campos, and David Durand. The team was well managed by Randy Shaw.
The season opened with the Quakers receiving a disappointing defeat at Governor
Dummer, 23-32. All other meets, with the exception of the championships, were
conducted on the home course at Roger Williams Park. In the second meet, Ports­
mouth Abbey triumphed over the Quakers, 18-40. It was obvious that the team’s
basic problem was the large gap between its runners. At this point, Doc Odell began
a determined effort to pull the squad closer together for positions.
It was essential for both Doc’s and the team’s morale that Moses Brown be the
victor in the following tri-meet. The Quaker harriers, psyched for victory, took five
of the first eight places — soundly defeating Providence Country Day, 20-35, and
Marianapolis, 16-47. In a fine race, DeFeo captured first place. In the meet against
Worcester Academy, MB received another setback, and was defeated 25-31. DeFeo
and Harper took second and third, but Worcester bunched too many runners between
the other members of the team. The Quakers finished the dual meets on a better
note, crushing Pomfret, 18-41. Harper, DeFeo, Shaw, and DeBlois took first through
fourth in an excellent race.