1967-68 Varsity Cross Country Team

The 1967-68 Pirate Cross Country Team finished 5th in the IHSA State meet. At the time, this was the third highest finish at State by any athletic team at OTHS. Prior to the IHSA State Meet the team finished 1st in the Ottawa Invitational, the Illinois Valley Conference, the North Central Illinois Conference (NCIC) (for the 4th consecutive year), and finished 2nd at the Sterling Invitational and the IHSA District meet. At both the NCIC and District meets, Gerry Couch and Jim Harmon finished 1st and 2nd respectively, each breaking the course record in Princeton at the NCIC meet. At the IHSA State meet Gerry Couch placed 12th individually, Jim Harmon 23rd, Bill Rosencrans 73rd, Bill Emery 81st, and Ron Laatz 136th. Team members were (top row): Bill Emery, Bill Rosencrans, Dick Martin, Gary Spears, Gerry Couch, and Jim Harmon; (bottom row): Kim Codo, Mike Wisniewski, Ron Laatz, Ron Olson, Bill Salomone, Head Coach Bob Anderson, and Assistant Coach Marvin Graunke.