When the administration of Maryville College re-introduced cross country as a varsity sport after World War II in 1948, they had no clue what was in store for the years to come. A young freshman from Chattanooga, Tennessee would lead the Scot runners to amazing heights. Over the next four years, the cross country performers would accumulate 19 wins with only 1 loss. That loss was to the University of Tennessee, the 1948 SEC Champions. Jim Thurston loved to run. In the fall, he was competing with his cross country teammates.
 
During the spring, Jim would put on his spikes and run for the track team. There was very little down time for the talented harrier. The middle distances were his specialties and in every meet he would participate in up to 7 events. His best individual events were the 220 yard dash, the 440 yard dash, and the long jump. He also participated by running one “leg” in the 440, 880, sprint medley, and mile relay races. His relay partners were usually Sid Lambert, Brick Brahms, and Walt English.  The ’49 track season began with wins over Tennessee Tech and the University of Chattanooga. The Scots cindermen also tied Wofford for the Championship of the Milligan Relays.
 
James was excited about the prospects of the 1949 cross country team. The Scots were hoping to build on the five meet winning streak established in the previous season. The runners dropped their first race of the year to Tennessee, but finished strong with 4 consecutive victories. Once again, Captain Jim Thurston was a leader as he often finished in front of the pack. The long, lean Thurston would blaze the trail for his teammates.
 
In 1950, as a junior track star, Thurston and his co-horts set the school mile relay record. The Thurston-Lambert-Brahms-English team won the Milligan Relays and placed 2nd to Tennessee in the TIAC relays despite running identical times.
 
His senior cross country season was just as productive as Jim would conclude an outstanding running career. Once again he led his team to wins over Sewanee, Bryan, and Tennessee Tech. During his senior track campaign, Jim helped MC defeat Tennessee Tech in their first meet. During the next meet, Jim pulled his hamstring in the first event , the 440 relay, and sat out the remainder of his senior season because of the leg injury. He was diligent on his rehab and hoped to return to the last meet of the season. Jim returned for his last collegiate meet in Chattanooga and ran on a track that he helped build at Chattanooga High School. He placed third in the 440 sprint as he was passed by two of his teammates, but rallied to win the long jump in his last event of a great career. Jim’s comeback was a tribute to the determination and commitment of this outstanding runner.
 
Jim entered the Navy after graduation in 1951 and received a commission as Ensign from Officer Candidate School in March of ’52. He remained in the Naval Reserve after his discharge and retired as a lieutenant commander in 1972.
 
He married his college sweetheart Betty Hyman (a 1953 MC Grad). He and Betty had four children- Lynn, Deborah, Nancy, and Michael. Jim returned to school in 1957 and received a Masters Degree in Physical Education from the University of Florida. He taught school in Pinellas County, Florida for 30 years and coached basketball, track, and cross country. At the high school coaching level, he took 3 different High School teams to the state championships in cross country. His Countryside Cougars won the state in 1986. He coached 9 All-Americans in cross country and won 2 national titles.
 
Upon his retirement in 1989, he and Betty traveled extensively, until her death in 2004. The loving MC alumnus were married for 51 years.

Please help me congratulate one of the best cross country and track performers in the history of Maryville College Athletics, Mr. James Thurston.