Briarcliff Barons Athletics Archive

BHS Shield (Volume I, 1958-1959) Sports Section

The BRIARCLIFF BARONS ATHLETICS ARCHIVE documents the athletic teams and athletes from the opening of the high school in DeKalb County Georgia in 1958 to its closing in 1987. Briarcliff opened in 1958 with 442 students, put its first football team on the field that fall and its first basketball team on the court that winter. By 1961 it had its first state-ranked athlete, by 1962 it had its first state championship team, and by 1964 enrollment reached an all-time high of 2,470. Briarcliff athletes competed in each of the school's 29 years. They won 101 individual state championships, and hundreds more placed at the state, region and county levels. Sixteen wrestling, gymnastics, soccer and swimming teams won state championships, and another 48 teams earned top-ten state rankings. Throughout the decades of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, baseball, basketball and soccer teams qualified for state playoffs. Five football teams had winning or break-even seasons, one earned a state-ranking, and several upset state-ranked teams.  By 1986, enrollment had declined back into the 400 range, and as Briarcliff was preparing to close after the 1987 school year, two of its most winning teams did it one last time:  wrestling won its region and then finished 7th in state, and baseball finished strong at 18-9. While you won't hear "Go Barons!" at any more games, you are welcome to visit BRIARCLIFF BARONS ATHLETICS ARCHIVE anytime.

SOURCES: Atlanta Journal Constitution, Decatur DeKalb News Sun, DeKalb County Library, DeKalb County School System Athletics Department, DeKalb News Era, Druid Hills High School Libary, Georgia High School Athletics Association, Georgia High School Basketball Association, Georgia High School Football Historians Association, Shield Volumes I - XXIX, and many Baron athletes and coaches.

Timeline

Briarcliff High School, DeKalb County Georgia, 1958-1987

1956 - DeKalb enrollment increased, with Druid Hills High School especially overcrowded, so the County approved a new school for West-Central DeKalb and purchased 21.77 acres of land, on North Druid Hills Road, that had been part of Tuggle Daries.

1957 - T. C. Brittain Construction Company of Decatur began building BHS.

1958 - The County divided DHHS' district into two, one for DHHS and one for BHS, which opened with 442 8th and 9th grade students under Principal Harold Schuler and 15 teachers. The original campus included "A" hall (offices), "B" hall (12 classrooms) and the cafeteria at a cost of $546,000, including land. BHS colors, originally maroon and gold, became blue and silver. Coach Sam Black named BHS students Barons, and an armored knight on horseback became the BHS emblem. Students published first editions of the BHS newspaper, Scroll, and yearbook, Shield. Football completed its first season.

1959 - BHS added 10th grade. Boys basketball completed its first season.

1960 - BHS added 11th grade, enrollment increased to 1,202 students, and BHS began to experience overcrowding. BHS athletics teams were assigned to Region 4AA. Girls swimming became the first state-ranked team in BHS history finishing 9th in state. Baseball, track and wrestling completed their first seasons.

1961 - BHS enrollment increased to 1,642 students. Abco Builders completed construction of "C" and "D" halls (41 classrooms and nine labs for science, home economics, art and language), a library, a gymnasium (capacity: 1,600), music and industrial arts buildings at a cost of $1.4 million. On April 30 Mrs. Margaret Harris, Superintendent Jim Cherry and Reverend Max Milligan dedicated BHS. Girls swimming finished 2nd in state. Wrestling finished 5th in state. Cross country and girls basketball completed their first seasons. In November Adams Memorial Stadium opened at a cost of $318,000. In the final game of their fourth season, BHS played the first game ever at Adams (pictured below). The DeKalb New Era reported,

"The Briarcliff Barons fulfilled their part of the opening ceremonies of the new Adams Memorial Stadium last Friday night with a 13-0 victory over Druid Hills ... Even though the night was cold the 8,000 capacity mark was almost reached as fans crowded into the new stands."

 Briarcliff's Henry "Birdnest" Faucette and Freddy Chance scored the first two touchdowns at Adams. Today Adams is one of five stadiums in DeKalb County: http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/instruction/athletics/stadiums.html

First game at Adams Memorial Stadium:
Briarcliff 13, Druid Hills 0

1962 - BHS graduated its first senior class. BHS athletics teams were reassigned to Region 4AAA. Girls swimming finished 1st in state. Wrestling finished 1st in state. Boys basketball finished 12-10 and in the playoffs. Football upset region champion Decatur.

1963 - BHS celebrated its 5th anniversary. Russell Clark became Principal. Wrestling finished 1st in state. Cross country, girls swimming, and boys track each finished 3rd in state, and track defeated the 1962 state champion, Southwest High School (Atlanta). Boys swimming finished 8th in state. Girls basketball finished 15-7. Football upset 2nd-ranked Tucker and 5th-ranked Decatur. Gymnastics and tennis completed their first seasons.

1964 - BHS enrollment reached its all-time high of 2,470. Girls swimming finished 1st in state. Wrestling finished 1st in state. Track finished 4th in state. Boys swimming finished 6th in state. Cross country finished 10th in state. Football finished 4-3-3, its first winning season. Girls basketball finished 14-6.

1965 - BHS overcrowding was relieved by Lakeside High School opening. John Bolin became Principal. Wrestling finished 1st in state. Track finished 2nd in state, the best finish in BHS history. Boys swimming finished 8th in state. Football finished 5-4-1, its second consecutive winning season and tied for best record in BHS history.

1966 - Harry Jaynes become Principal. Wrestling finished 1st in state. Track finished 3rd in state. Girls swimming finished 7th in state. Boys swimming finished 8th in state. Boys basketball finished with the best record in BHS history (22-4), won the Cross Keys Invitational Tournament, and advanced to the playoffs. Girls basketball advanced to the playoffs. Football started 1-0 and was ranked 10th in state, its first and only state ranking. Girls gymnastics finished 1st in county (the highest level of competition).

1967 - Wrestling finished 1st in state. Boys swimming finished 5th in state. Girls swimming finished 9th in state. Girls gymnastics finished 1st in county (the highest level of competition). Boys basketball finished 17-5 and won the Cross Keys Invitational Tournament. Baron girls basketball finished 14-5. Football upset Southwest DeKalb, ranked 6th in state the previous season.

1968 - BHS celebrated its 10th anniversary. BHS athletics teams were reassigned to Region 8AAA. Girls swimming finished 1st in state. Soccer finished 1st in state. Wrestling finished 5th in state. Girls basketball finished 13-6 and in the playoffs. Girls gymnastics finished 1st in county (the highest level of competition). Boys basketball finished 17-6 and upset Decatur, ranked 1st in state, on BHS Homecoming.

1969 - Girls gymnastics finished 2nd in state. Girls swimming finished 4th in state. Wrestling finished 10th in state. Five BHS tennis players won state championships, the most in BHS history. Soccer finished 8-1-1. Boys basketball finished 13-9.

1970 - Ernest Hallford became Principal. Wrestling finished 9th in state. Soccer finished 9-2 and in the playoffs.

1971 - Soccer finished 11-1-2 and 1st in state. Baseball finished 18-9 and 2nd in state. Girls swimming finished 4th in state. Boys gymnastics finished 5th in state. Boys basketball finished 15-9 and in the playoffs. Football finished 5-5.

1972 - Soccer finished 13-1 and 1st in state. Boys gymnastics and girls swimming both finished 4th in state. Wrestling finished 5th in state. Boys swimming finished 7th in state. Baseball finished 12-5.

1973 - BHS celebrated its 15th anniversary. Boys gymnastics finished 2nd in state. Girls swimming finished 3rd in state. Wrestling finished 5th in state. Baseball finished 21-5 and in the playoffs. Soccer finished 7-1-2. Girls basketball finished 16-7.

1974 - Boys gymnastics finished 1st in state. Girls swimming finished 4th in state. Soccer finished 9-2-1 and in the playoffs. Baseball finished 10-8.

1975 - Pat Williams became Principal. Girls swimming finished 6th in state. Wrestling finished 10th in state. Baseball won the sub-region championship. Soccer finished 6-3-1. Girls track completed its first season.

1976 - Byron Collier became Principal.  Boys swimming finished 7th in state. Soccer finished 10-2 and in the playoffs. Baseball finished 21-5 and was region runner-up. Boys basketball finished 18-9. Baron girls cross country completed its first season.

1977 - Boys gymnastics finished 1st in state. Wrestling finished 9th in state. Soccer finished 8-1-1 and in the playoffs. Baseball finished 16-5 and was region runner-up.

1978 - BHS celebrated its 20th anniversary. BHS athletics teams were reassigned to Region 5AAA. Boys gymnastics finished 1st in state. Baseball finished 16-6.

1979 - Boys gymnastics finished 1st in state. Wrestling finished 7th in state. Baseball finished 24-5 and in the playoffs. Soccer finished 8-1-1. Girls basketball finished 18-5, the best record in BHS history. Basketball finished 15-10.

1980 - Wrestling finished 10th in state. Baseball finished 24-4 and in the playoffs. Soccer finished 8-2.

1981 - Baseball finished 12-8. Girls soccer completed its first season.

1982 - Mary Rivenbark became Principal. BHS athletics teams were reassigned to Region 5AA. Boys cross country finished 2nd in state. Baseball finished 13-9.

1983 - BHS celebrated its 25th anniversary. Baseball finished with the most wins in BHS history (26-7) and 2nd in state. Boys cross country finished 2nd in state. Football finished 5-4-1, tied for best record in BHS history.

1984 - Football finished 4-4-1.

1985 - Jennie Springer became Principal. Boys basketball finished 16-8.

1986 - After several years of declining enrollment at BHS the County reassigned the BHS 8th and 9th graders to Druid Hills for the 1986-1987 school year, and decided to close BHS following the school year. Girls basketball finished 12-9. Soccer finished 7-5-1. The last BHS football team defeated Druid Hills 10-9.

1987 - BHS, with a final enrollment of approximately 400 students in the 10th, 11th and 12th grades, graduated its final senior class, closed and merged into Druid Hills. Wrestling finished 7th in state and 1st in region. Baseball finished 18-9. Girls basketball finished 14-11.

BARONS HALL

Druid Hills High School maintains Barons Hall, a tradition that was established in 1962 at BHS. Barons Hall honors seniors who have excelled in the areas of athletics, leadership, service, the arts, academics, and foreign languages. Visit the Barons Hall at www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/druidhills/baronshall/baron.html

All-Time Best Baron Teams

BASEBALL / Top Ten Teams

1983 Baron Baseball

1. 1983 - 26-7 (.787), 2nd in state, most wins in BHS history.
2. 1971 - 18-9 (.666), 2nd in state.
3. 1980 - 24-4 (.857), playoffs, best winning percentage in BHS history.
4. 1979 - 24-5 (.827), playoffs.
5. 1973 - 21-5 (.807), playoffs.
6. 1976 - 21-5 (.807), region runner-up.
7. 1977 - 16-5 (.761), region runner-up.
8. 1978 - 16-5 (.761).
9. 1972 - 12-5 (.705).
10. 1987 - 18-9 (.666).

More on Baseball: briarcliffbarons.blogspot.com/2008/08/baseball.html

BASKETBALL / Top Ten Boys Teams

1966 Baron Basketball

1. 1966 - 22-4 (.846), playoffs, most wins and highest winning percentage in BHS history.
2. 1967 - 17-5 (.772).
3. 1968 - 17-6 (.739), upset Decatur (ranked 1st in state)
4. 1976 - 18-9 (.667)
5. 1985 - 16-8 (.667).
6. 1971 - 15-9 (.625) and in the playoffs.
7. 1979 - 15-10 (.600).
8. 1969 - 13-9 (.590).
9. 1962 - 12-10 (.545), playoffs, after finishing 0-20 in 1961.
10. To be determined after records are obtained...

More on Basketball: briarcliffbarons.blogspot.com/2008/06/basketball.html

BASKETBALL / Top Ten Girls Teams

1967 Baron Basketball

1. 1967 - 14-5 (.736), highest winning percentage in BHS history.
2. 1964 - 14-6 (.700).
3. 1973 - 16-7 (.695)
4. 1968 - 13-6 (.684) and in the playoffs.
5. 1963 - 15-7 (.681) after finishing 1-18 in 1962.
6. 1979 - 18-9 (.667), most wins in BHS history.
7. 1987 - 14-11 (.560).
8. 1986 - 12-9 (.571).
9. 1966 - Playoffs (regular season record is unknown).
10. To be determined after records are obtained...

More on Basketball: briarcliffbarons.blogspot.com/2008/06/basketball.html

CROSS COUNTRY / Top Six Boys Teams

1983 Baron Cross Country

1. 1983 - 2nd in state (finished state meet tied for 1st with Lovett; lost on tiebreaker).
2. 1982 - 2nd in state.
3. 1963 - 3rd in state.
4. 1965 - 9th in state.
5. (Tie) 1964 - 10th in state.
6. (Tie) 1966 - 10th in state.

More on Cross Country: briarcliffbarons.blogspot.com/2008/08/cross-country.html

FOOTBALL / Top Ten Teams and Upsets

1965 Baron Football

1. 1965 - 5-4-1, tied for best record in BHS history, best defense in BHS history, tied Druid Hills (8-1-1 and ranked 9th in state) 14-14. Started 2-0-1.
2. 1983 - 5-4-1, tied for best record in BHS history, upset Campbell (9-3, advanced to the second round of playoffs) by 22 points. Started 3-0-1, closed 2-0 to secure winning season.
3. 1964 - 4-3-3, first winning season in BHS history; 4 All-State players, the most in BHS history. Started 3-0-1.
4. 1971 - 5-5, tied for most wins in BHS history; defeated Cross Keys by 50 points, widest margin of victory in BHS history. Started 5-2.
5. 1963 - Upset Tucker  (ranked 2nd in state, 11-2) 7-0. Upset Decatur  (ranked 5th in state, 8-3) 7-6. Tied Clarkston (7-2-1). Started 2-1-1.
6. 1966 - Ranked 10th in state by The Atlanta Journal Constitution after upsetting Druid Hills (which was coming off of an 8-1-1 season in which it was ranked 9th in state) by 20 points to begin the season 1-0. Highest-scoring team in BHS history, and the only state-ranked team in BHS history.
7. 1984 - Finished 4-4-1. Started 2-0.
8. 1968 - Upset Tucker (ranked 3rd in state, 8-2) 26-14 .
9. 1962 - Upset Decatur (region champion) 14-13 .
10. 1967 - Upset Southwest DeKalb  (1-0 and was ranked 6th in state the previous season) 31-0

Honorable mentions: 1970 started 2-2-1, 1975 started 3-1 and 1985 reached 4-4.

More on Football: briarcliffbarons.blogspot.com/2008/08/football.html

GYMNASTICS / Top Five Boys Teams

1979 Baron Gymnastics

1. 1979 - Finished 1st in state by 28 points with gymnasts state-ranked in 11 events and winning championships in 3 events.
2. 1978 - Finished 1st in state by 5 points with gymnasts state-ranked in 10 events and winning championships in 2 events.
3. 1974 - Finished 1st in state by 5 points with gymnasts state-ranked in 7 events and winning championships in 2 events.
4. 1977 - Finished 1st in state by 12 points with gymnasts state-ranked in 6 events and winning a championship in 1 event.
5. 1973 - Finished 2nd in state with gymnasts state-ranked in 6 events and winning a championship in 1 event.

More on Gymnastics: briarcliffbarons.blogspot.com/2008/06/gymnastics.html

GYMNASTICS / Top Five Girls Teams

1968 Baron Gymnastics

1. (Tie) 1966 - 1st in County (highest available competition)
2. (Tie) 1967 - 1st in County (highest available competition)
3. (Tie) 1968 - 1st in County (highest available competition)
4. 1969 - 2nd in state
5. 1971 - 5th in state

More on Gymnastics: briarcliffbarons.blogspot.com/2008/06/gymnastics.html

SOCCER / Top Ten Boys Teams

1968 Baron Soccer

1. 1968 - 10-0-1 (.954), 1st in state, highest winning percentage in BHS history, undefeated season.
2. 1972 - 13-1 (.928), 1st in state, most wins in BHS history.
3. 1971 - 11-1-2 (.821), 1st in state.
4. 1977 - 8-1-1 (.850), playoffs.
5. 1969 - 8-1-1 (.850).
6. 1979 - 8-1-1 (.850).
7. 1976 - 10-2 (.833), playoffs.
8. 1970 - 9-2 (.818), playoffs.
9. 1980 - 8-2 (.800).
10. 1974 - 9-2-1 (.791), 2nd round of the playoffs.

More on Soccer: briarcliffbarons.blogspot.com/2008/06/soccer.html

SWIMMING / Top Ten Girls Teams

1964 Baron Swimming

1. 1964 - 1st in state, swimmers finished state-ranked 16 times and won championships 7 times.
2. 1962 - 1st in state, swimmers finished state-ranked 13 times and won championships 6 times.
3. 1968 - 1st in state, swimmers finished state-ranked 12 times and won championships 4 times.
4. 1961 - 2nd in state, swimmers finished state-ranked 14 times and won championships 2 times.
5. 1963 - 3rd in state, swimmers finished state-ranked 8 times and won championships 3 times.
6. 1973 - 3rd in state, swimmers finished state-ranked 6 times.
7. 1969 - 4th in state, swimmers finished state-ranked 8 times.
8. 1972 - 4th in state, swimmers finished state-ranked 8 times.
9. 1971 - 4th in state, swimmers finished state-ranked 8 times.
10. 1974 - 4th in state, swimmers finished state-ranked 9 times.

More on Swimming: briarcliffbarons.blogspot.com/2008/06/girls-swimming.html

SWIMMING / Top Eight Boys Teams

1967 Baron Swimming

1. 1967 - 5th in state
2. 1964 - 6th in state
3. (Tie) 1972 - 7th in state
4. (Tie) 1976 - 7th in state
5. (Tie) 1963 - 8th in state
6. (Tie) 1965 - 8th in state
7. (Tie) 1966 - 8th in state
8. 1962 - 10th in state 

TRACK / Top Five Boys Teams

1965 Baron Track

1. 1965 - 2nd in state with invididual Barons state-ranked 14 times including 8 individual state championships.
2. 1963 - 3rd in state with individual Barons state-ranked 12 times including 2 individual state championships.
3. 1966 - 3rd in state with individual Barons state-ranked 7 times including 5 individual state championships.
4. 1964 - 4th in state with individual Barons state-ranked 8 times including 2 individual state championships.
5. 1962 - 1st in region.

More on Track: briarcliffbarons.blogspot.com/2008/08/track.html

WRESTLING / Top Ten Teams

1962 Baron Wrestling

1. 1962 - Won state by 50 points with 12 state-ranked wrestlers including 4 champions.
2. 1963 - Won state by 41 points with 9 state-ranked wrestlers including 5 champions.
3. 1965 - Won state by 34 points with 10 state-ranked wrestlers including 4 champions.
4. 1967 - Won state by 28 points with 8 state-ranked wrestlers including 5 champions.
5. 1964 - Won state by 13 points with 7 state-ranked wrestlers including 4 champions.
6. 1966 - Won state by 15 points with 6 state-ranked wrestlers including 2 champions.
7. 1961 - Finished 5th in state with 5 state-ranked wrestlers including 2 champions.
8. 1972 - Finished 5th in state with 4 state-ranked wrestlers including 1 champion.
9. (Tie) 1968 - Finished 5th in state with 3 state-ranked wrestlers including 2 champions
10. (Tie) 1973 - Finished 5th in state with 3 state-ranked wrestlers including 2 champions.

More on Wrestling: briarcliffbarons.blogspot.com/2008/06/wrestling.html

Photo Gallery

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1986 - Final BHS Football Team vs. Druid Hills (BHS won 10-9)

2007

2007

Baron Track and Field

The best multi-season run in Baron Track and Field history included the 1962 through 1966 seasons. Their accomplishments included finishing #2 in state, #3 in state (twice) and #4 in state.

ALL-TIME BARON TRACK AND FIELD STANDOUTS

• Andy Guy (6 state championships, 1963-1965)
• Eddie Branch (3 state championships, 1965-1966)
• Bruce Cox (2 state championships, 1965-1966)
• Tom Cheatham (state champion, 1965)
• Chuck Purvis (2 state championships, 1965)
• Jim Rogers (state champion, 1966)
• Jack Nicholson (state champion, 1966)
• Sally King (state champion, 1974)
• Claudia Escribano (2 state championships, 1977-1979)

BARON TRACK AND FIELD COACHES

Boys

• Frankie Lentz became coach in 1961.
• James Rentz became coach in 1966.
• Donald Blackerby became coach in 1969.
• Thomas McAlpine became coach in 1970.
• Mel Hulme became coach following Coach McAlpine.
• Herb Laws became coache in 1975.
• Rick Echols became coach in 1976.
• Jack McCahill became coach in 1977.
• Tom Willingham became coach in 1978.
• Jack Nicks became coach in 1979.
• Tom Willingham became coach in 1981.
• John Findley became coach in 1983.
• Pete Dunson became coach in 1985.
• Mike Howard became coach in 1986.

Girls

• Margaret Merritt and Jan Bloom became coaches in 1975.
• Jamie Sickles became coach in 1979.
• Mary Sechler became coach in 1983.
• Brenda Melton bececame coach in 1986.

BARON TRACK AND FIELD TIMELINE
1960 Baron track and field (above) was the first track and field team in school history.


1961 Baron track and field (above).

1962 Baron track and field (above) won the region championship. Captains are Stan Maher, Fred Chance and Henry Cates.1963 Baron track and field (above) finished 3rd in state with Barons state-ranked 12 times including two individual state championships including Andy Guy (1st, 220 Yard Dash), Andy Guy (1st, 100 Yard Dash), Chuck Davis (2nd, 180 Yard Low Hurdles), Chuck Davis (2nd, 120 Yard High Hurdles), Richard Ernst, David Pergament, Chuck Davis, Andy Guy (2nd, 440 Yard Relay) and Richard Ernst, David Pergament, Chuck Davis Andy Guy (3rd, One Mile Relay). During the regular season, the Barons defeated 1962 AAA State Track Champion Southwest High School of Atlanta 83-53.

1964 Baron track and field (above) finished 4th in state Barons state-ranked eight times including two individual championships including Andy Guy (1st, 220 Yard Dash), Andy Guy (1st, 100 Yard Dash), Bruce Chase (3rd, One Mile), Eddie Branch (4th, Pole Vault) and Craig Brewer, Bill Calhoun, Tommy Cheatham, Andy Guy (4th, 440 Yard Relay). Captains are Andy Guy and Bruce Chase. 1965 Baron track and field (above) finished 2nd in state with Barons state-ranked 14 times individual eight championships and three college scholarships awarded including Tom Cheatham, Eddie Branch, Bruce Cox, Andy Guy (1st, 440 Yard Relay), Andy Guy (1st, 100 Yard Dash), Chris Purvis (1st, One Mile), Chris Purvis (1st, Half Mile), Eddie Branch (1st, Pole Vault), Harry Hendrix, Bill Calhoun, Tom Cheatham, Andy Guy (2nd, Mile Relay), Andy Guy (2nd, 200 Yard Dash) and Bill Calhoun (4th, Half Mile). College scholarships were awarded to Andy Guy (Florida State), Chris Purvis (Georgia Tech), Bobby Stokes (Miami FL). This was the most successful track and field team in school history. 1966 Baron track and field (above) finished 3rd in state with Barons state-ranked seven times including five state championships including Eddie Branch (1st, Pole Vault), Jack Nicholson, Jim Rogers, Bruce Cox, Craig Brewer (1st, 440 Yard Relay),Bill Calhoun (2nd, Half Mile) and Hal Padgett (2nd, Triple Jump). 1967 Baron track and field (above) finished with 1 individual state-ranked performance, Bob Bleiberg (2nd, Long Jump).1968 Baron track and field (above) finished with a record of 7-3; Bob Smith, Mike Chase, Tony Bell and Alan Strickland won the DeKalb County Championship in the mile relay; Bell, Fussell, Rogers and Brown won the DeKalb County Championship in the 440 Yard Relay, Bob Rogers set school records in the 120 Yard High Hurdles and in the 180 Yard Low Hurdles in the DeKalb County Meet, and the team placed 5th in the DeKalb County.

1969 Baron track and field (above).

1970 Baron track and field (above).

1971 Baron track and field (no team photo or results currently available).

1972 Baron track and field (no team photo or results currently available).

1973 Baron track and field (above).

1974 Baron track and field (above). Sally King finished 1st in state, Half Mile.

1975 Baron track and field (above)1976 Baron track and field (above) finished with 2 individual state-ranked performances, Claudia Escribano (3rd in state, One Mile) and Don MacNeil (4th in state 880).

1977 Baron track and field (above) finished with 1 invividual state champion: Claudia Escribano (1st in state, One Mile).

1978 Baron track and field (above).

1979 Baron track and field (above) finished with one individual state champion, Claudia Escribano (1st in state, 880).

1980 Baron track and field (above).

1981 Baron track and field (above).

1982 - Baron track and field. Girls team completed an undefeated regular season schedule.

1983 Baron track and field (above).

1984 Baron track and field (above) finished with 1 individual state-ranked performance, John Roberts (3rd, 880)

1985 Baron track and field (above).

1986 Barons track and field finished with 1 individual state-ranked performance, Kenneth Walker (4th, Pole Vault) 1987 Baron track and field (above) finished with 1 individual state-ranked performance, Kenneth Walker (4th, Pole Vault)

Baron Tennis

Baron tennis produced 29 state-ranked players including seven state champions.

ALL-TIME BARON TENNIS STANDOUTS

• Ginny Montgomery (state champion, 1967)
• Kathy Rudolph (state champion, 1967)
• Janet Brown (state champion, 1969)
• Ed Campbell (state champion, 1969)
• Betty Morgan (state champion, 1969)
• Larry Powell (state champion, 1969)
• Nina Powell (state champion, 1969)

BARON TENNIS COACHES

• Clyde Steen became coach in 1963.
• Barbara Landers became coach in 1966.
• John Jones became coach in 1967, won the girls region championship that year and coached 7 state championship players.
• Gerald Jabaley became coach in 1970 and coached 22 state-ranked players. 
• Barbara Mayfield coached the final Barons tennis teams in 1987.

BARON TENNIS TIMELINE

1963 Baron tennis (above).
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1964 Baron tennis (above). Players achieving state rankings were Susan Hobbs (Quarterfinalist), Ann Woodfin and Linda King (First Round). Captain was Ann Woodfin.

1965 Baron tennis (above). Players achieving state rankings were Ann Woodfin (Semifinalist), Linda Williams and Lenore Druckenbrod (First Round).

1966 Baron tennis (above). ) Players achieving state rankings were Linda Williams and Ginny Montgomery (Semifinalists), Kathy Rudolph (Quarterfinalist), Jeff Carstens and Ned Campbell (First Round).
1967 Barons tennis (above). Kathy Rudolph and Ginny Montgomery won the doubles state championship and 1 Baron achieved a state-ranking, Becky Morgan (Semifinalist). The girls team also won the region championship, with Kathy Rudolph and Ginny Montgomery winning the doubles region championship.

1968 Baron tennis (above). Players achieving state rankings were Janet Brown (Semifinalist), Ginny Montgomery and Becky Morgan (Semifinalists). The girls team also won the region championship, with Janet Brown winning the region singles championship and Ginny Montgomery and Becky Morgan winning the region doubles championship. Boys doubles team Ned Campbell and Terry Powell placed 2nd in region.1969 Baron tennis (above): Betty Morgan and Nina Powell won a Doubles Tennis state championship, and Janet Brown won a Singles Tennis state championship. Larry Powell and Edward Campbell won a Doubles Tennis state championship.

1970 Baron tennis (above): Girls achieving state rankings were Barbara Rushia and Janet Brown (Quarterfinalists). Boys achieving state rankings were Larry Powell and Norman Schinning (Finalists).

1971 Barons tennis players achieving state rankings were Karen Kefauver and Carolyn Bell (Finalists), Janet Brown (Semifinalist) and the girls team won the region championship.
1972 Baron tennis (no team photos or results currently available).1973 Baron tennis (above).1974 Baron tennis (above). 1975 Baron tennis (above).1976 Baron tennis (above).
1977 Baron tennis (no team photos or results currently available).

1978 Baron tennis (above).
1979 Baron tennis (above). Players achieving state rankings were Jan Dorfman and Meg Zimmerman (Semifinalists), Teri Merlin and Amanda Smith (Quarterfinalists), Betsy Steinhaus (Quarterfinalist) and Jeff Brickman (Semifinalist).
1980 Baron tennis (above). Players achieving state rankings were Katherine Ansley and Polly Dowell (Quarterfinalists).

1981 Baron tennis (above).

1982 Baron tennis (no team photos or results currently available).

1983 Baron tennis (above). Players achieving state rankings were Melissa Berl and Donna Schwartz (Quarterfinalists). Girls captain is Kim Goff. Boys captain is Steve Urken.

1984 Baron tennis (above).

1985 Baron tennis (above). Players achieving state rankings were Cheryl Barksdale (Semifinalist), Michelle Kutner and Donna Schwartz (Semifinalists). The team finishes with a regular season record of 7-1. Baron boys tennis finished with a regular season record of 5-3.

1986 Baron tennis (no team photos or results currently available).1987 Baron tennis (above).

Baron Cross Country

Baron cross country finished 2nd in state twice (1982 and 1983, led by Dan Nisbet, above), and 3rd in state, 9th in state, and 10th in state twice for a total of 6 top ten finishes.

BARON CROSS COUNTRY COACHES

• James Lentz became in 1961. The 1963 team finished 3rd in state and undefeated in the regular season.
• Fred Powell became coach in 1964. His team finished 10th in state, 1st in region, 1st in county, and finished with a 10-1 record in the regular season.
• James Rentz became coach in 1965. His team finished 9th in state and 4th in county.
• Ray Hambrick became coach in 1966 and this team finished 10th in state.
• Thomas McAlpine became coach in 1970.
• Thomas Neal became coach in 1972.
• Gerald Jabaley became coach; his 1978 girls team finished 3rd in state and 1st in county.
• Rob English became coach in 1979.
• Ken Meyer became coach; his 1982 finished 2nd in state.
• Robert Nowell became coach in 1983, and that team finished 2nd in state.
• Mike Howard became coach in 1986.

For more information about Baron Cross Country:

www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/instruction/athletics/crosscountry.html

BARON CROSS COUNTRY TIMELINE

1961 Baron cross country (above).

1962 Baron cross country (above).

1963 Baron cross country (above) finished 3rd in state with team members Chris Purvis, Bruce Chase, Tommy Cheatham, Dick Wallace and John Watson. They also won the county championship and achieved an undefeated regular season. 1964 Baron cross country (above) finished 10th in state, won the county championship, and finished the regular season with a record of 10-1.

1965 Baron cross country finished 9th in state and 4th in county. Baron Bill Calhoun won the individual county championship.

1966 Baron cross country (above) finished 10th in state and 5th in county.

1967 Baron cross country finished with a record of 1-5.

1968 Baron cross country (no team photo or results currently available).

1969 Baron cross country finished with a record of 1-5.

1970 Baron cross country (above).

1971 Baron cross country finished with a record of 4-7.

1972 Baron cross country (above).

1973 Baron cross country (above).

1974 Baron cross country (above).

1975 Baron cross country (above). Captain was Billy Copanezos.

1976 Baron cross country (above). Baron girls cross country runner Claudia Escribano finished 3rd in state.

1977 Baron cross country (above)1978 Baron cross country (above). Baron girls cross country finished 3rd in state with a team of Claudia Escribano, Paula Greiner, Alice Simmons, Christine Clement and Alice McGraw, and also won the county championship.

1979 Baron cross country.

1980 Baron cross country.

1981 Baron cross country boys team finished 5th in county.

1982 Baron cross country (above). Baron boys finished 2nd in state with team members Paul Clein, Jerry Peljovich, Hewlett Lord, Paul Schieber, Dan Nisbet, Sam Lord and John Brittain. The team also finished 3rd in region, 4th in county and 1st in the Hapeville Invitational. Baron girls cross country finished 3rd in region and 2nd in the Hapeville Invitational.

1983 Baron cross country (above). Baron boys cross country finished 2nd in state with team members Dan Nisbet (2nd in state), Paul Clement (3rd in state), Johnny Roberts, Bobby Flowers, John Fiveash, Jimmy Baxter and Shane Short. The team finished the state meet tied for first place with Lovett. 25 years after the tie, Barons Coach Robert Nowell explained the tiebreaker in an email: "In Cross Country to break a tie you go to the teams 5th place runner. In this case Lovett's 5th place runner passed Briarcliff's 5th place runner in the chute just a few feet from the finish line." The team also finished 2nd in region, 4th in county and with a regular season record of 7-3. Baron girls cross country finished 3rd in region, 7th in county and with a regular season recordof 6-3.

1984 Baron cross country runner Dan Nisbet finished 6th in state and 4th in region. Baron girls cross country finished 5th in county.