1971 Mars mile relay unit entering HOF
It is a moment Ed Best remembers just as well as the race in which he and his three Mars teammates made history.
The scene was State College, late May in 1971. Best, Bob Harbison, John Schessler and Ed Totin, Jr. were just hours away from competing in the mile relay at the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Penn State University.
“I was in the hotel room with Ed Totin and this song starts playing on the radio, “Take it Easy.” In the middle of the song, there were the lyrics, “We may lose and we may win, but we will never be here again.'”
I looked at Ed and said, “Did you hear that?'” I've heard that song a million times since, but that was the first. That's something I'll always remember.”
Mars' quartet went on to win the first state title in school history, turning in a time of 3 minutes, 29.7 seconds.
“That wasn't our best time,” said Schessler. “We actually ran a better time (a school-record 3:27.6) in winning the WPIAL title. But as long as we won, that's the important thing.”
The relay team will be inducted into the Mars Athletic Hall of Fame Sept. 16.
“It's overdue,” said former Mars track coach Clem Papik. “All four were part of the teams that went undefeated in dual meets for two and a half years. They took great pride in what they did. It was a great feeling just to be part of it.”
Best, who was finishing up his junior season that spring, led off the relay for the Planets.
“I had the lead, but with the stagger (formation), when you're the first runner, you don't really know how much of a lead you have until you come out of that last turn. I couldn't see anybody in my peripheral vision, but I could hear someone and he was right behind me. By the last 20 yards, I was needing oxygen.”
Best handed the baton to Totin, who was able to retain Mars' slim lead. Then it was Harbison's turn. By the time his lap was finished, the Planet advantage had been extended for Schessler's anchor leg.
“I remember watching John and thinking, “This guy is on fire,'” said Totin. “He ran unbelievably well.”
“John just took it and was gone,” said Papik. “He was not going to be denied. I was taking pictures and I got one of him crossing the finish line.”
Papik remembers realizing the quartet's ability as the season wore on that spring.
“As we competed in dual meets and invitationals, I began to see their potential. But you never know how things are going to turn out with injuries and things like that. Each one brought different talents to the relay. Best was a sprinter. John Schessler was our miler. Totin ran the 440 and Bob Harbison the hurdles.”
Aside from winning it all in the relay, the foursome had previously helped Mars win the WPIAL Class B team championship.
Totin (2008), Schessler (2012) and Best (2013) have all been inducted into the Mars Hall of Fame individually.
“This is for Bobby (Harbison),” said Schessler. “We were a team and he needs to be there (Hall of Fame). That's how I'm looking at it.”
“It's a great privilege. I'm honored,” said Harbison, who will attend the induction ceremony. “I wouldn't miss it. Clem was a great coach and friend. It was a great time.”
