As a sophomore at Brewer High School, Dave Farley discovered a passion for running.
In 1959, the 125-pound junior from Orrington set the school record in the 1,600 meters with a time of 4 minutes, 25.34 seconds. The mark still stands.
“I kept looking at the list [of all-time Brewer leaders] and said, ‘Are you nuts? That can’t be true,’” Farley said with a chuckle.
As a youngster, he recalls visiting C.C. Herrick and Sons store on the corner of South Main and Elm Streets. The owner, Winslow Herrick, would often congratulate Farley on a track victory.
Unbeknownst to Farley, the two not only shared a talent for running but also a lofty status in Brewer High track history.
“He was a great runner,” said Farley, who recently discovered, while doing research for the Brewer Athletic Hall of Fame, that Herrick captained Brewer’s inaugural 1916 team as well as the 1917 and 1918 squads.
“He never said a word that he was a runner the years that I knew him,” Farley added. “He ran something like a 4:25 [mile] at the University of Maine.”
On Saturday, Farley likely will share his brush with the Witches’ first track standout during the 100 Years of Brewer Track Celebration. Former athletes, coaches and family members will gather at the Brewer Community School in honor of the school’s storied track and field history.
Representatives from several decades of Brewer track and cross-country are planning to attend the festivities. The activities begin at 10 a.m. with the introduction of the 2016 Brewer High seniors. That will be followed by a parade of alumni by decade, recognition of school record holders and a varsity meet with five other schools.
Alumni who wish may compete in several events including the mile, shot put, long jump, 4×100 relay and 4×400 relay. The events will culminate with a potluck dinner at the high school from 4 to 6 p.m.
“It’s a high school program that, first of all, kids want to be involved in,” said Glendon Rand, an alum and Brewer’s outdoor coach for 29 seasons. “But after they leave high school, it’s something that stays with them. It was some of the most meaningful and important experiences of their life.”
Some of Brewer’s many multiple outdoor record holders include thrower Amy Winchester, distance runner Heather Clark, sprinters Ben Sinclair and Teal Jackson, hurdlers Synclaire Tasker and Peter Phelan, and jumpers such as Danielle Lainez.
Rand still holds the school’s 3,200 outdoor record (9:37.8 in 1980). Another notable alumnus is Doug DeAngelis, the developer of the FinishLynx electronic timing system.
Brewer track and field also has enjoyed tremendous continuity on its coaching staff. Rand ran for Dave Jeffrey, then coached with him before succeeding him. Head indoor coach Dan Juilli also is an alumnus.
Jeffrey was the driving force behind the program’s growth and success from 1979 until until his retirement in 2003.
“It’s amazing how far his influence has reached,” said Rand, who pointed out the impressive number of coaches Jeffrey helped develop.
Brewer’s century of track and field has featured contrasting extremes. In the early days, there often was limited participation. During Farley’s career (1958-1960), Brewer did not have a home track.
More recently, rosters have included anywhere from 80 to 120 athletes, who boast a top-notch, all-weather track.
Over time, Brewer’s track and field athletes have remained connected through their passion for the sport and their pride in representing the school.
“We’ll have a state championship or a contender in one sport or another, but over the span of generations, Brewer’s always been a track school,” Glen Holyoke, the middle school coach and varsity assistant, said.
Holyoke (1980), who still ranks eighth on Brewer’s outdoor 3,200 list, said the program has developed a knack for helping young athletes refine their skills and build confidence.
“It gives some kids who might be looking for a home the home,” Holyoke said. “The track is the great equalizer: If you work hard, then you are successful regardless of whether you’re first or last or anywhere in between.”
Farley competed at Brown University and while in the U.S. Marine Corps, ran the 1,500 meters in the 1968 U.S. Olympic Trials. He also was on the track when Jim Ryun set the American record in the mile in a 1965 AAU meet in San Diego.
His younger brothers — Dick (Class of 1962), Jon (1970) and Mark (1974) — also were successful runners in their own right at Brewer.
Brewer’s track tradition has often been passed down through the generations. Vaughn Holyoke (1952) began his family’s participation in the early 1950s. In those days, students were allowed to participate in both baseball and track.
“He was one of these little, quick guys that was never really fast, but I’m sure he ran really hard,” said Glen Holyoke, who credits his dad with pushing him toward track and field.
“That gave me a social group. It gave me an area of athletics that I ended up getting involved with some great people but also gaining personal success,” he said.
Holyoke and his wife, Terry (Breau), met as members of Brewer’s cross country team. Their sons, Paul and Kyle, also competed at Brewer.
John Holyoke (1983), Glen’s younger brother, followed in his footsteps and established himself as a formidable jumper. His 6-foot high jump still ranks fifth best outdoors in school history. He also did some coaching.
Their sister Lori (1985) held up the family tradition as a distance runner and still owns top-13 times in the 1,600 and 3,200. All four plan to attend Saturday’s event.
“There’s a reason that a lot of us are coming back this weekend,” Glen Holyoke said. “It still matters to us, no question about it. That says something for the program.”