University of Toronto Athletics

CIAU CHAMPIONS

Arguably the greatest Canadian university men’s cross country team of all time, the 1965 Varsity Blues took the top five individual placings to sweep that year’s National title. The 1-2-3-4-5 U of T finish was the first and only time any cross country team, male or female, has accomplished such a feat.

The victory was also the first of three straight CIAU titles for Varsity Blues men’s cross country, as U of T repeated as champions in 1966 and 1967.

Leading the way in 1965 was Jerome Drayton, who was the first Varsity Blue to cross the finish line. He went on to represent Canada at both the 1968 and 1976 Olympic Games, and at the 1976 event in Montreal he finished sixth in the marathon. He also became the Canadian-record holder in the marathon in 1968, finished second in the 1977 New York City Marathon and won the 1977 Boston Marathon.

Two-time All-Canadian Rich Pyne followed Jerome, with three-time All-Canadian David Bailey finishing third. David finished first at the CIAU championships in 1966 and 1967, and went on to represent Canada at the 1968 Olympic games in Mexico City in the 1,500m and was inducted to the U of T Sports Hall of Fame in 1998.

The fourth and fifth-place finishers respectively were Douglas Macdougall and Brian Richards. Douglas was a two-time All-Canadian, while Brian was recognized as a CIAU All-Canadian three times. Meanwhile, Dave Tong, who was in his first year, finished in 22nd position to round out the impressive results for the six-man squad.

The individual results are incredible indeed, but what they were able to accomplish as a team is something that may never be equaled. Team members pictured above include (L-R): Brian Richards, David Bailey, Fred Foot, Dave Tong, Peter Thompson and Douglas Macdougall. Missing are Jerome Drayton and Richard Pyne