…captured for Acadia its thirtieth Maritime Intercollegiate track and field title.
During the academic year of 1911-12, Mr. William Dennis of the Halifax Herald and Mail Star donated a trophy to represent Maritime Intercollegiate supremacy in track and field. For the first four years of its inception, Acadia won each time. From that beginning to the termination of the ’66-’67 academic year, Acadia was destined to win the coveted award thirty times, with Major Fred Kelly being the coach for the vast majority of wins.
During the fall of 1966, Acadia won its thirtieth tri-provincial crown. Very significantly this triumph represented the final coaching appearance in this sport by Major Kelly, who retired at the conclusion of that academic year.
This victory, being the fourth in a row by the Axemen, saw the team sparked by the well-known field performer David Jones, then in his senior year. Being, again, the meet’s top point-getter, he placed first in both the discus and shot put while earning a third-place finish in the javelin.
Tom Estabrooks gained a first-place finish in the high jump, with teammate John Frahlich placing third. Talented sprinter Don Clarke placed second in both the 100 yard and 220 yard dashes, while provincially- acclaimed cross-country runner Wayne Beazley won a second-place award in the mile run.
In the hammer throw, John Morrison and Ian Anderson had the second and third best distances respectively, while Richard Foot finished second in the javelin. In the mile relay event, Acadia ran fourth.
The Axemen ended the championship meet with fifty-five points, being followed by UNB, St. F .X. and Dalhousie with 36, 33, and 31 points respectively. Further back in the standings were St. Dunstan’s, St. Mary’s, and Mount Allison.
What a pleasure to welcome back to Acadia for induction to its Hall of Fame members of the ’66-’67 Maritime Intercollegiate Track and Field championship squad, the first team to be so honoured in this sport and the last one to win for Acadia Maritime track and field honours.
