Eastern Michigan Athletics
Remembering Bob Parks: Week 10
5/13/2021 4:34:00 PM | Men's XC, Men's Track & Field
Mark Smith finished his career with eight MAC titles, 1985-1987
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- In the fall of 1985, Head Coach Bob Parks worked to reload his talented cross country roster. The team was tested in early October when the team ventured to the Notre Dame Invitational in South Bend, Ind. There, the Green and Gold finished runner-up in the blue division as Don Johns paced EMU at 24:28.9.
Going into the Mid-American Conference title meet, Parks knew it was going to be tight as several league teams had solid squads. That season, the race took place in Athens, Ohio on a rainy November afternoon. Central Michigan took two out of the three top spots, but didn't have a strong pack as a whole and thus didn't bring home the trophy. George Rodriguez (5th - 31:18.93) and Don Johns (15th - 31:46.27) ran strong races but Eastern couldn't capture the crown either. Miami University ended up winning it all with 62 points to EMU's 76.
Parks' group had their revenge however, as the team performed well at the district meet in Bloomington, Ind. Eastern Michigan notched a third-place finish (133) as Miami earned fourth (140). Johns once again led the pack, rounding out the top-10 with a time of 32.31.9. P.J. Osika wasn't too far behind at 32:50.6 for 19th overall. Although, MU would return the favor at the national meet. At Marquette University's Dretzka Park in Milwaukee, Wisc., the Green and Gold chipped in for a respectable 22nd-place finish in the 10,000m race. Osika took control once again, crossing the finish line in 67th in 31:30.47. Miami wrapped up its season notching 21st at the meet.
Mark Smith impressed early on in the track & field season as he captured the three-mile run in 13:59.2 at the Michigan Relays, over 20 seconds faster than the runner-up. Kirk Scharich then ran a 9:10.9 for the two-mile victory. In the field, Paul Hedemark (1st - 4.57m) and Erick Buckberry (2nd - 4.42m) dominated the pole vault. At the EMU Open, Parks' runners swept the 400m dash, one-mile run, and 1000-yard race. Pacing Eastern in the three events were Glen Williams (400m - 49.53), Smith (Mile - 4:12.87), and Rodriguez (1000yd - 2:18.09).
Three members of the Green and Gold earned a spot in the top-four in the steeplechase at the Western Michigan Relays. Smith grabbed first in 8:55.08, over eight seconds quicker than the No. 2 finisher. Meanwhile, thrower James Franklin placed second in the weight throw (44'-8.75") and shot put (52'-1.5")
Eastern Michigan hosted the 13th annual MAC Invitational inside Bowen Field House where Parks' team had a solid showing. The meet practically became a dual meet against Western Michigan with both teams trading event titles. Carl Johnson won the 400m dash in a speedy 47.93 while Bradford Horton took the 800m race in 1:53.16. EMU also edged WMU in the 4x400m relay, 3:15.2-3:15.5.
In the field, Anthony Abbott earned the high jump crown as he leaped 6'-10" while Paul Bialowicz beat out the Chippewas in the triple jump at a height of 21'-1.5". Once the scores were tallied, Eastern Michigan came out on top with 166 points to Western Michigan's 159. Johnson made the trip to the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships in Oklahoma City to compete in the 500m dash. He ultimately placed second in the preliminary heat in 1:02.65, however his time did not put him in the final six.
In mid-April, Eastern hosted Toledo and Bowling Green for a double dual meet at Rynearson Stadium on a cold and snowy day. Against the Rockets, the Green and Gold swept in six events to win 107-56. Similarly, Parks' team bested the Falcons, 108-55, sweeping just three events. A few days later, EMU hosted another double dual meet, this time against Western Michigan and Central Michigan. In a much more competitive matchup, Eastern pulled out an 88-75 victory with 10 total event wins. However the CMU score was more lopsided as EMU cruised to a 125-37 W. There, the tracksters won all but four events.
Miami hosted the 40th annual MAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships on the George L. Rider Track where Eastern Michigan ran away with the competition, putting up 195 points to Western's 106.5. At the meet, EMU crushed the running events, highlighted by Mark Smith's double-victory (3000m Steeplechase - 8:48.39; 10,000m - 30:11.66) as well as a 1-2-4 finish in the 5000m run.
Meanwhile, Abbott took home the high jump crown in a then-MAC championship and Eastern Michigan varsity record 7'-2.25". Smith was named the league's Athlete of the Year and shared the title of outstanding performer alongside Ball States' Scott Sanders. Head Coach Bob Parks earned Coach of the Year honors.
Smith went on to the NCAA title meet in Indianapolis hosted by IUPU1. The harrier took on the best of the best in the 3000m steeplechase and did not disappoint. The veteran placed third overall in the race in 8:35.99 for First Team All-America honors with the winning time being 8:31.15.
Park's harriers opened up the 1986 season with the 20th annual EMU Open at Rynearson Stadium. Former Eagles Mark Smith, now running for the Reebok Track Club, tied for first with current stars Osika and Rodriguez in 25:13. Four more members of the Green and Gold finished in the top-10 to begin the fall on a high note.
Next, Eastern trekked to Kalamazoo for a dual meet on the Broncos on their Arcadia Course. In the past, a dual meet between the two institutions was decided by just a handful of points, but not this year. Parker's distance runners came to play, taking six top-10 spots with Johns and Osika tying for first in 25:24.7 as EMU won 17-44.
Going into the MAC Cross Country Championships, Eastern Michigan was not expected to be a top performer. However, the team had slowly been gelling and had seen strong showings heading into the league meet. The title race took place in Mount Pleasant, Mich. where EMU proved everyone wrong.
In the competitive meet, despite no Eastern harrier finishing in the top-five, its strong group did some damage. Rodriguez placed sixth in 31:18.7, followed closely behind by John Cross in 31:29.7. From there, Johns rounded out the five EMU runners in 21st place (32.47.0). The Green and Gold ultimately shocked the league as they took home the MAC trophy with 66 points to Miami's 82. Parks was named MAC Coach of the Year for his efforts. At the district championships, the harriers put forth a valiant effort, but it wasn't enough to advance to the national meet. EMU finished sixth overall with 216 points and was led by Johns as he ran 30:52.8 for 27th place.
Early in the indoor track & field season, Eastern Michigan hosted an invitational meet to tune-up against local competition. Inside Bowen Field House, Darren Carpenter led the way in the long jump as he launched himself 22'-7" for the win. In the 55m dash, Dazel Jules ran a 6.47 clip to pace Eastern's sweep of the event. Morris Ellis displayed his athleticism throughout the day as he put up 3644 points in the pentathlon.
The following weekend, Jules tied his PR of 6.37 in the 55m dash at the Michigan Relays. Meanwhile, fellow sprinter Willie Jenkins took first in the 300-yard dash (31.07). Carpenter improved his long jump from the previous week, this team reaching a distance of 23'-2".
At the Western Michigan Relays, Parks' tracksters were challenged inside Read Fieldhouse. However, Rodriguez captured the 5000m run (14:18.16) while EMU notched victories in the 4x400m (3:12.6) and 4x800m (7:33.40) relays. Lastly, Ellis edged the competition in the triple jump with a bound of 46'-10".
Eastern returned to Kalamazoo weeks later for the MAC Indoor Invitational where once again, EMU and WMU duked it out. The Broncos managed to find more success in the field, however Parks' tracksters were able to dominate the meet. The Green and Gold went 1-2 in the 800m, 1000m, and 1500m races to distance themselves from the pack. Additionally, the 4x800m quartet of Darrell Bob, Jeff Misfud, Francisco Pena, and Brad Horton notched a time of 7:37.09 for gold. In total, Eastern amassed 201 points to Western's 138.
On a Tuesday, the team went down to Toledo, Ohio, in mid-April for a double dual meet against BG and Toledo. Eastern swept seven events and even went 1-4 in the 400m dash, 5000m run, and high jump to defeat the Falcons, 122-41, and the Rockets, 110-52.
That weekend, Parks' team squared-off against Central Michigan and Western Michigan for another double dual meet in Kalamazoo. The Green and Gold were able to handle the Chips, 108-54, but fell to the Broncos, 74 ⅓-88 ⅔. However, EMU would get another chance at WMU at the conference meet.
Ohio University hosted the league meet that year on the Goldberry Track. The meet did not start hot for Eastern as it was in third following the first day of action. However, the team went 3-6 in the steeplechase and saw Jason Oldham PR in the pole vault at 16'-6" for second.
On the second and final day, Eastern took off on the track. Morris Ellis claimed first in the decathlon with 6715 points as he won the long jump (21'-11.5") and the 400m dash (50.39). Darron Witherspoon, Jules, Jenkins, and Jeff Smith rocked the 4x100 relay, crossing the finish line in 40.26 for a then-MAC record. The tracksters continued to cruise with wins from Jules (100m - 10.67), Jules (200m - 20.91), Horton (800m 150.17), Osika (1500m - 3:46.77), Carpenter (110HH - 14.13), Johnson (400IH - 50.76), and the 4x400m relay team (3:09.44). EMU brought home the MAC trophy with 168 points to WMU's 113. None of Parks' tracksters were named an outstanding meet performer, however, Parks won coach of the year.
Be sure to follow along in the following weeks as we continue to take a deep dive into Bob Parks' legacy at Eastern Michigan University.
Going into the Mid-American Conference title meet, Parks knew it was going to be tight as several league teams had solid squads. That season, the race took place in Athens, Ohio on a rainy November afternoon. Central Michigan took two out of the three top spots, but didn't have a strong pack as a whole and thus didn't bring home the trophy. George Rodriguez (5th - 31:18.93) and Don Johns (15th - 31:46.27) ran strong races but Eastern couldn't capture the crown either. Miami University ended up winning it all with 62 points to EMU's 76.
Parks' group had their revenge however, as the team performed well at the district meet in Bloomington, Ind. Eastern Michigan notched a third-place finish (133) as Miami earned fourth (140). Johns once again led the pack, rounding out the top-10 with a time of 32.31.9. P.J. Osika wasn't too far behind at 32:50.6 for 19th overall. Although, MU would return the favor at the national meet. At Marquette University's Dretzka Park in Milwaukee, Wisc., the Green and Gold chipped in for a respectable 22nd-place finish in the 10,000m race. Osika took control once again, crossing the finish line in 67th in 31:30.47. Miami wrapped up its season notching 21st at the meet.
Mark Smith impressed early on in the track & field season as he captured the three-mile run in 13:59.2 at the Michigan Relays, over 20 seconds faster than the runner-up. Kirk Scharich then ran a 9:10.9 for the two-mile victory. In the field, Paul Hedemark (1st - 4.57m) and Erick Buckberry (2nd - 4.42m) dominated the pole vault. At the EMU Open, Parks' runners swept the 400m dash, one-mile run, and 1000-yard race. Pacing Eastern in the three events were Glen Williams (400m - 49.53), Smith (Mile - 4:12.87), and Rodriguez (1000yd - 2:18.09).
Three members of the Green and Gold earned a spot in the top-four in the steeplechase at the Western Michigan Relays. Smith grabbed first in 8:55.08, over eight seconds quicker than the No. 2 finisher. Meanwhile, thrower James Franklin placed second in the weight throw (44'-8.75") and shot put (52'-1.5")
Eastern Michigan hosted the 13th annual MAC Invitational inside Bowen Field House where Parks' team had a solid showing. The meet practically became a dual meet against Western Michigan with both teams trading event titles. Carl Johnson won the 400m dash in a speedy 47.93 while Bradford Horton took the 800m race in 1:53.16. EMU also edged WMU in the 4x400m relay, 3:15.2-3:15.5.
In the field, Anthony Abbott earned the high jump crown as he leaped 6'-10" while Paul Bialowicz beat out the Chippewas in the triple jump at a height of 21'-1.5". Once the scores were tallied, Eastern Michigan came out on top with 166 points to Western Michigan's 159. Johnson made the trip to the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships in Oklahoma City to compete in the 500m dash. He ultimately placed second in the preliminary heat in 1:02.65, however his time did not put him in the final six.
In mid-April, Eastern hosted Toledo and Bowling Green for a double dual meet at Rynearson Stadium on a cold and snowy day. Against the Rockets, the Green and Gold swept in six events to win 107-56. Similarly, Parks' team bested the Falcons, 108-55, sweeping just three events. A few days later, EMU hosted another double dual meet, this time against Western Michigan and Central Michigan. In a much more competitive matchup, Eastern pulled out an 88-75 victory with 10 total event wins. However the CMU score was more lopsided as EMU cruised to a 125-37 W. There, the tracksters won all but four events.
Miami hosted the 40th annual MAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships on the George L. Rider Track where Eastern Michigan ran away with the competition, putting up 195 points to Western's 106.5. At the meet, EMU crushed the running events, highlighted by Mark Smith's double-victory (3000m Steeplechase - 8:48.39; 10,000m - 30:11.66) as well as a 1-2-4 finish in the 5000m run.
Meanwhile, Abbott took home the high jump crown in a then-MAC championship and Eastern Michigan varsity record 7'-2.25". Smith was named the league's Athlete of the Year and shared the title of outstanding performer alongside Ball States' Scott Sanders. Head Coach Bob Parks earned Coach of the Year honors.
Smith went on to the NCAA title meet in Indianapolis hosted by IUPU1. The harrier took on the best of the best in the 3000m steeplechase and did not disappoint. The veteran placed third overall in the race in 8:35.99 for First Team All-America honors with the winning time being 8:31.15.
Park's harriers opened up the 1986 season with the 20th annual EMU Open at Rynearson Stadium. Former Eagles Mark Smith, now running for the Reebok Track Club, tied for first with current stars Osika and Rodriguez in 25:13. Four more members of the Green and Gold finished in the top-10 to begin the fall on a high note.
Next, Eastern trekked to Kalamazoo for a dual meet on the Broncos on their Arcadia Course. In the past, a dual meet between the two institutions was decided by just a handful of points, but not this year. Parker's distance runners came to play, taking six top-10 spots with Johns and Osika tying for first in 25:24.7 as EMU won 17-44.
Going into the MAC Cross Country Championships, Eastern Michigan was not expected to be a top performer. However, the team had slowly been gelling and had seen strong showings heading into the league meet. The title race took place in Mount Pleasant, Mich. where EMU proved everyone wrong.
In the competitive meet, despite no Eastern harrier finishing in the top-five, its strong group did some damage. Rodriguez placed sixth in 31:18.7, followed closely behind by John Cross in 31:29.7. From there, Johns rounded out the five EMU runners in 21st place (32.47.0). The Green and Gold ultimately shocked the league as they took home the MAC trophy with 66 points to Miami's 82. Parks was named MAC Coach of the Year for his efforts. At the district championships, the harriers put forth a valiant effort, but it wasn't enough to advance to the national meet. EMU finished sixth overall with 216 points and was led by Johns as he ran 30:52.8 for 27th place.
Early in the indoor track & field season, Eastern Michigan hosted an invitational meet to tune-up against local competition. Inside Bowen Field House, Darren Carpenter led the way in the long jump as he launched himself 22'-7" for the win. In the 55m dash, Dazel Jules ran a 6.47 clip to pace Eastern's sweep of the event. Morris Ellis displayed his athleticism throughout the day as he put up 3644 points in the pentathlon.
The following weekend, Jules tied his PR of 6.37 in the 55m dash at the Michigan Relays. Meanwhile, fellow sprinter Willie Jenkins took first in the 300-yard dash (31.07). Carpenter improved his long jump from the previous week, this team reaching a distance of 23'-2".
At the Western Michigan Relays, Parks' tracksters were challenged inside Read Fieldhouse. However, Rodriguez captured the 5000m run (14:18.16) while EMU notched victories in the 4x400m (3:12.6) and 4x800m (7:33.40) relays. Lastly, Ellis edged the competition in the triple jump with a bound of 46'-10".
Eastern returned to Kalamazoo weeks later for the MAC Indoor Invitational where once again, EMU and WMU duked it out. The Broncos managed to find more success in the field, however Parks' tracksters were able to dominate the meet. The Green and Gold went 1-2 in the 800m, 1000m, and 1500m races to distance themselves from the pack. Additionally, the 4x800m quartet of Darrell Bob, Jeff Misfud, Francisco Pena, and Brad Horton notched a time of 7:37.09 for gold. In total, Eastern amassed 201 points to Western's 138.
On a Tuesday, the team went down to Toledo, Ohio, in mid-April for a double dual meet against BG and Toledo. Eastern swept seven events and even went 1-4 in the 400m dash, 5000m run, and high jump to defeat the Falcons, 122-41, and the Rockets, 110-52.
That weekend, Parks' team squared-off against Central Michigan and Western Michigan for another double dual meet in Kalamazoo. The Green and Gold were able to handle the Chips, 108-54, but fell to the Broncos, 74 ⅓-88 ⅔. However, EMU would get another chance at WMU at the conference meet.
Ohio University hosted the league meet that year on the Goldberry Track. The meet did not start hot for Eastern as it was in third following the first day of action. However, the team went 3-6 in the steeplechase and saw Jason Oldham PR in the pole vault at 16'-6" for second.
On the second and final day, Eastern took off on the track. Morris Ellis claimed first in the decathlon with 6715 points as he won the long jump (21'-11.5") and the 400m dash (50.39). Darron Witherspoon, Jules, Jenkins, and Jeff Smith rocked the 4x100 relay, crossing the finish line in 40.26 for a then-MAC record. The tracksters continued to cruise with wins from Jules (100m - 10.67), Jules (200m - 20.91), Horton (800m 150.17), Osika (1500m - 3:46.77), Carpenter (110HH - 14.13), Johnson (400IH - 50.76), and the 4x400m relay team (3:09.44). EMU brought home the MAC trophy with 168 points to WMU's 113. None of Parks' tracksters were named an outstanding meet performer, however, Parks won coach of the year.
Be sure to follow along in the following weeks as we continue to take a deep dive into Bob Parks' legacy at Eastern Michigan University.
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