This blog is dedicated to the rich distance running history at Thomas Downey High School. From the school's founding in 1950-51, there have been many superior runners. Ray Hale, Ron Whitney, and Mike Olbranz were the heros of the first decade. The 1960s belonged to Jim Seghrue and Andy Vollmer. The 1970s saw the emergence of Tim Holmes and Laurie Crisp, and Charleen Chituras. The 1980s seemed to be the low point for Downey distance running, but the 1990s would make up for that with Eric Elwess, JoAnna Cerri, and Carrie Tacheria. Since 2000 the program's brightest star was Monica Frailing. This site and associated pages pays tribute to the "fore fathers" of Downey distance running. Perhaps the spirit and success of these stars of the past will guide the Downey distance running stars of the future.

1960-69 (OLBRANZ, VOLLMER, and SUGHRUE)

Running the XC course at Legion Park


The late 1950s and early 1960s was probably the historical high point of Downey boys distance running. Over the span of seven years they won the SJS section "A" once and finished second twice. They also won the section "B" title twice. The stars of the era were Mike Olbranz, Andy Vollmer, and Jim Sughrue. This series of remarkable teams and individuals was ably coached by Ed Maurice who deserves to recognized in his own right for these accomplishments.


MIKE OLBRANZ


Mike ushered in an era of strong Downey distance runners and XC teams of the 1960s.


1958 10th grade TDHS member SJS "B" 1st place team
1960 11th grade TDHS 6th place mile SJS track
1960 12th grade TDHS 1st place SJS XC
1960 12th grade TDHS member SJS 2nd place team
1961 12th grade TDHS 2nd place mile SJS track
1961 12th grade TDHS 4:23.0 1600m #7 on Downey's all-time list














ANDY VOLLMER

Andy Vollmer was a distance super star at Downey and beyond. He qualified for the State meet in track, made the All Nor-Cal team twice in XC, and won three straight SJS section championships in XC.




1962 10th grade TDHS member SJS "B" 1st place team XC
1962 10th grade TDHS 1st place SJS "B" XC
1963 11th grade TDHS 1st place SJS "A" XC; All Nor-Cal XC, 9:32.5 2 mi
1963 11th grade TDHS member SJS "A" 2nd place team XC
1964 12th grade TDHS 1st place SJS "A" XC; All Nor-Cal XC, 9:32.8 2 mi
1964 12th grade TDHS member SJS "A" 1st place team XC 

Andy Vollmer as
Olympic torch barer
 1965 12th grade TDHS 4:22.0 mile (4:20.6 1600m) (#6 on all-time TDHS list)
1965 12th grade TDHS 1st place 2mi SJS; 5th place Calif State Meet 9:25.9 3200m (#2 on all-time TDHS list) track
1968 MJC #5 on all-time list 10,000m 32:12.8 track



Jim Sughrue



























JIM SUGHRUE


Jim Sughrue was the third of coach Ed Maurice's great distance runners of the early 1960s. He twice earned All Nor-Cal status in XC and still ranks high on the Downey all-time 1600 and 3200 lists even after over 40 years have passed.


1963 10th grade TDHS Honorable Mention All Nor-Cal XC; 9:49.3 2mi
1964 10th grade TDHS 4th place SJS 2mi track
1964 11th grade TDHS member SJS 1st place team XC
1964 11th grade TDHS All Nor-Cal XC; 9:43.3 2mi
1965 11th grade TDHS 3rd place mile SJS track
1965 12th grade TDHS 2nd place SJS XC
1965 12th grade TDHS All Nor-Cal XC
1966 12th grade TDHS 1st place mile SJS track
1966 12th grade TDHS 1st place SJS 4:20.5 1600m track (#4 on Downey all-time list)
1966 12th grade TDHS 9:45.5 3200m track (#4 on Downey all-time list)
















1960-1961 XC Team
TEAMS OF THE EARLY 1960s

1961-62 "B" XC Team
 The XC teams of the late 1950s and early 1960s were outstanding. They garnered a number of section trophies and the runners on the teams earned several SJS title and Nor-Cal honors.


1960 boys XC "A" 1st place CCC
1960 boys XC 2nd place "A" SJS meet.
1961 boys XC "A" 1st place CCC
1962 boys XC "A" 1st place  CCC
1962 boys XC 1st place "B" SJS meet.
1963 boys XC "A" 1st place CCC
1963 boys XC 2nd place "A" SJS meet.

1962-63 XC team
 1964 boys XC 1st place "A" SJS meet.


































1964-65 XC team








































COACH ED MAURICE


Coach Maurice guided the Downey cross-country teams from at least 1960-1973. His record of success is simply stunning. The athletes he coached still occupy many spots on the Downey all-time lists even after the passing of over forty years. Coach Maurice may have added more to the success of Downey distance running than any one athlete.


1960 boys XC "A" 1st place CCC
1960 boys XC 2nd place "A" SJS meet
1961 boys XC "A" 1st place CCC
1962 boys XC 1st place "B" SJS meet
1962 boys XC "A" 1st place CCC
1963 boys XC 2nd place "A" SJS meet
1963 boys XC "A" 1st place CCC
1964 boys XC 1st place "A" SJS meet
1971 boys XC 3rd place "A" SJS meet
1973 boys XC 1st place "C" SJS meet
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