David Williams took the reins of the BGSU women’s track and field program in the fall of1975 and began an outstanding three-year stint in which the Falcons team continued to build a reputation as one of the best teams in the state and region and a player on the national stage.
The Falcons won three consecutive All-Ohio Championships and Mid-American Invitationals (the precursor to the MAC Championship which began in 1981) from 1976-78.
The 1976 team won the state title at the Ohio Twilight Relays at Ohio State, as Debbie Romsek had individual titles in the 400-meter hurdles, the 100-meter hurdles and the 440-yard dash. Romsek joined Stanene Strouss, Lynne Heckman and Jan Samuelson as champions in the mile relay. After a Falcon victory at the Mid-American Invitational, Jenny Gill (pentathlon), Romsek (400-meter hurdles), Strouss (880-yard dash) and the mile relay team of Samuelson, Romsek, Heckman, and Strouss competed in the 1976 AIAW Nationals at Kansas State, where the Falcons tied for 29th among the 145 teams represented. Romsek and Gill finished fourth and seventh, respectively, earning All-America status in their events.
The 1977 squad also won the team championship at the All-Ohio and at the Mid-American Invitational. State titles went to Romsek (400-meter hurdles), Pam Koeth (shot put), Lorna Miller (discus and javelin), the mile relay team of Becky Dodson, Gail Billet, Samuelson and Heckman, and the 800-meter team. Miller and the two-mile relay team of Dodson, Romsek, Billet, and Samuelson qualified for the AIAW national meet at UCLA. That 1977 team set 10 school records.
Then, in 1978, the Falcons won their third consecutive All-Ohio and Mid-American Invitational team championships. State champions included Romsek (400-meter hurdles), Billet (800 meters), Dodson (1500 meters), Betsy Miller (3000 and 5000 meters), Koeth (shot put), Sue Klembarsky (discus), the mile relay team of Samuelson, Jenny Thornton, Romsek, and Deb Wernert, and the two-mile relay team of Robin Mansfield, Billet, Dodson, and Betsy Miller. Jane Guilford (100 meter dash), Miller (5000 meters), and the 3200-meter relay team of Romsek, Billet, Dodson, and Samuelson represented the Falcons at the AIAW nationals in Knoxville, Tenn. Mary Zarn (high jump) and Koeth (shot put) qualified for the 1978 AIAW indoor meet at the University of Missouri. Koeth, a two-time OAISW shot put champion, finished in seventh place, thus earning All-America status.
1976-78 TEAM MEMBERS
Coach David Williams
Janet Acton - 1977
Gail Billet - 1977, 1978
Susan Cowman - 1977, 1978
Jody Creps - 1978
Pamela Culler - 1976, 1977
Debbie Daft - 1978
Becky Dodson - 1977, 1978
Kermetta Folmar - 1978
Sandy Gilbert - 1977, 1978
Jenny Gill - 1976, 1977
Jane Guilford - 1978
Lynne Heckman - 1976, 1977
Jane Herman - 1978
Kathy Hodkey - 1977, 1978
Kathy Huebner - 1978
Rindie James - 1976, 1977
Josie Jude - 1977, 1978
Sue Klembarsky - 1978
Polly Koch - 1976, 1977
Pam Koeth - 1977, 1978
Laura Kolb - 1977
Aimee Kraus - 1977
Janet Litzinger - 1977
Pat Loveland - 1977
Connie Mack - 1978
Robin Mansfield - 1977, 1978
Anne McKenna - 1976, 1977
Karen McQuilkin - 1978
Betsy Miller - 1977, 1978
Lorna Miller - 1976, 1977
Robin Noel - 1977
Carol Pyle - 1977
Barbara Reardon - 1977
Mary Rickner - 1977
Linda Roberts - 1978
Debbie Romsek - 1976, 1977, 1978
Mary Sue Rush - 1977, 1978
Jan Samuelson - 1976, 1977, 1978
Liz Sheets - 1978
Kathy Spillane - 1977, 1978
Michelle Stevens - 1977, 1978
Stanene Strouss - 1976
Ann Weikel - 1978
Debbie Wernert - 1977, 1978
Paula Whetsel - 1977, 1978
Mary Zarn - 1977, 1978
