History of success follows “Ferd”

For 20 years, Fred (“Ferd”) Larson has been the coach of the cross-country team at Fredonia. In that time, he has acquired an incredible league meet record of 435 wins and 6 losses. In addition, he has guided the team to 19 straight Division I CCIAC County championships. His cross-country teams have represented Section VI in the state meet nine times. In the 1970s, out of 88 schools, Larson’s team was chosen as the “team of the decade” by his peers in Section VI.

This year, for the first time ever, the cross-country team lost their division at the county meet. Larson called this loss “disappointing.” “We had the potential to win twenty years of championships.” he commented. “We just didn’t run to our potential.”

However, for the first time ever, the girls’ cross-country team won their division at the county meet and went on to place fourth at the Sectional meet.

Larson also coached track for nineteen years before retiring in 1985. During his tenure as track coach, the team had 113 wins and only eight losses.

Larson gained much of the experience he would need to coach runners during his high school career. In 1957 and 1958, he was the Pennsylvania State champion in the mile run. He also place second in the half-mile.

After high school, Larson went on to attend Penn State University from 1958 to 1962 on a grant and aid scholarship. After graduation, he began teaching and taught for two years before coming to Fredonia. He has been teaching physical education for twenty years.