1950 Boys Track and Field Team
The 1950 PYA Track and Field Team achieved both personal and team success over the course of the season. The 1950 team was undefeated in Finger Lakes competition and invitational competition outside of the league.
With top performers in nearly every event, the team rewrote the record book for a majority of the events contested in 1950. A major highlight of the season was winning the prestigious Geneva Kiwanis Relays by a 20 point margin over powerhouse teams from areas as far away as Buffalo, Syracuse and Elmira.
In an era when team championships were not contested at the sectional level for many sports including track and field, the Mustangs brought home a number of individual and relay wins from sectionals. The strength of the team has stood the test of time. It took several decades for subsequent teams to approach the records set by the 1950 team.
While on the track and in the field the team was the “Perfect Storm”, off the track team members contributed to the well being of their community and country. Ten members of the team served in the military during the Korean conflict with several making the military a lifelong career. Team manager, Ed Mason made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the army during the Korean War.
Eventually, a number started businesses, ran successful farming operations, and provided essential services for the village, county and schools. Community leaders came from its ranks, including at least one mayor of Penn Yan.
The following men were members of the 1950 Penn Yan Academy Track and Field Team: Les Alkenburg, Norman Ayres, Don Blaisdell, Ed Bolger, Frank Collin, Skip Ellis, Harry Griffin, Don Habberfield, Larry Hansen, George Havens, Dwayne Hawkins, Jamieson Johnstone, Richard Lamphier, R. Bruce LeClaire, David Lewis, Ed Mason (Mgr), Larry Mason (Mgr) Paul McDurfee, Floyd Paddock, Jerome Parsons, Paul Perez, Don Roe, Merwin Snyder, Bernie Volland, David Wachob, James Wachob and Coaches: James Kopp; Kenneth Diven; Thomas Waye.
