The Original Trojan Track and Field Champions of the 1930s
- Yen Ho
- 7 hours ago
- 5 min read
From Wissahickon High School's history before the school was renamed Wissahickon, they were known to have an excellent track and field team during the 1930s. Ambler High School didn't become recognizable in sports competitions until their track and field team rose up and appeared for the first time in the Penn Relays.
Ambler High School Track and Field Team
Ambler High School rose up to be competitive in their sports during the 1930s, especially in track and field. By the end of every spring the track and field team participated in the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association meet of District 1 (PIAA District One) as part of Class B. Their coach at the time was Harry Arthur Drumm, and he lead his team to win their first ever PIAA Championship in 1932. The big star on the 1932 squad was Philip Barbacow ('33): he earned first place in the broad jump and mile relay, second in the 220-yard dash, and third in the 100-yard dash. His teammate Donald "Bob" Houpt (1914-1999)('32) earned first place in the shot put event. He continued his success on the team the following year when the team won their second PIAA Championship as captain.
Fun Fact # 1: Donald Houpt was inducted to the Ambler/Wissahickon Hall of Fame for his post-graduation achievements in the architecture field.
A description of Philip Barbacow's life as a soldier during World War II:
He enlisted in the Navy in June 1941 and left for overseas duty in May 1942. During his absence there have been many changes in the states. The increase in the cost of food and meals was one thing which was very noticeable to him compared especially with the reasonable rates he found on his frequent trips to Australia. He saw women in uniform for the first time upon his arrival in the States. He was fortunate in being able to attend the Commencement Exercises on June 6th as his sister was a member of the graduating class. He left June 7th for San Diego where he will await further orders."
- The King's Daughters Newsletter No. 16 (1944)
In 1933, Alton Burrell ('34) won the mile race with a time of 4:46.00 that broke the high school's record; Phil Dillon won both the shot put (46 ft 10 1/2 in) and discus (114 ft-1/2 in) events, beating a record of Houpt's shot put by five inches; and Peter Krisan (1916-1962)('34) won the 220-yard dash with a time of 27.0 seconds. Captain Philip Barbacow finished second in the long jump event with 21 ft-1/2 in (breaking the school's record), second in the 100-yard dash, and fifth in the mile relay.
Fun Fact # 2: Their 1933 trophy was displayed at Oscar Stillwagon's drug store in Ambler
Ambler High graduate Heber "Herb" T. Meyers (1907-1993) took over Drumm's position as health and PE teacher as well as the boys' track and field coach. Ever since he was hired, the track and field team made significant improvements. Later in his term at Ambler High, he would lead the school's football team to their first championship.
The Ambler track and field team won their third consecutive District One championship in 1934, with their returning stars: Captain Alton Burrell set a new record for his school by winning the mile race with his improved time of 4:38.50. Harold Cupit (1915-1983) set a record in the 220 low hurdles with 26.7 seconds, beating his own teammate Krisan. Al Hurst threw 159ft-6 1/2in the javelin event, winning it all. Harvey Heath (1917-1958) was tied in first place in the high jump.
"Considering the same of the town, one would not place Ambler High in the category of a champion sport school. But the North Penn schoolboys have been on the upward movement since 1931 and during the past track campaign completed their best season in the history of the school."
- The Reporter, June 26, 1934
In 1936, Clifford "Cliff" Knight set a new record in the javelin event throwing 182 feet at the PIAA District One meet. Ambler High School earned third place in the overall meet.
They were able to bounce back and made it back to the PIAA District One Championship, regaining their title in 1938. The team's superstars were Oliver "Ollie" Bryant won the 440-yard dash for 51.4 seconds, and won in the broad jump event with 20ft-2 1/2 in. Arnold Olsen won the mile race with the time of 4:38.40, setting a new district record. Hugh Gehman earned first place in the pole vault event with the measure of 11ft-2 1/2 in. Only four members of the team made it to the Penn State Championships: Gehman, Bryant, Olsen, and Russel Huckel (Robert O'Brien as a substitute). The 1938 squad was considered the best team formed at Ambler High.
The Penn Relays is the oldest and largest track and field competition in the United States, and Ambler High School was fortunate to be part of the event with their finest runners in the mile relays:
1931 - Wilson MacIntire, Philip Barbacow, Dick Gray, Hugh Lynch
1932 - Wilson MacIntire (captain), Ernest Dowling, Frank Lindenfelser, Philip Barbacow
1933 - Allan Rose, Philip Barbacow (captain), Frank Lindenfelser, Hyman Barbacow
1934 - Peter Krisan, Ed Amey, Robert "Bob" Rudolph, Alton Burrell (captain)
1935 - Jerome Henderson, Max Micsion, Ed Amey, Bob Rudolph
1936 - Jerome Henderson, Max Micsion, Oliver Bryant, Bob Rudolph (captain)
1937 - Max Micsion, Arnold Olsen, Jack Rainey, Oliver Bryant
1938 - Jack Rainey, Arnold Olsen, Russel Huckel, Oliver Bryant
From 1930-1940, the all-time District One records belonged to...
Harold Cupit (1934) - 220-yard low hurdles
Clifford Knight (1936) - javelin
Arnold Olsen (1938) - one-mile run
All were coached by Heber Meyers.
Bibliography
"A. H. S. Team Wins Medals At Relays." Ambler Gazette. April 30, 1936. Page 6. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_23833.
"Ambler and Upper Darby High Trackmen Class Winners in District Meet. The Philadelphia Inquirer. May 22, 1932. Page 42.
"Ambler Best In Open Track Meet." Ambler Gazette. June 11, 1931. Page 5. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_19595.
"Ambler High Athletes Made Good Showing On Cinderpath." The Reporter. June 26, 1934. Page 5.
"Ambler High Quartet Place at Penn Relays." Ambler Gazette. May 5, 1938. Pages 1 & 6. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_21192.
"Ambler High School Runners At Penn Relays." Ambler Gazette. May 3, 1934. Page 1. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_18396.
"Ambler Retains Its Class B Track Title." Ambler Gazette. May 25, 1933. Page 2. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_20610.
"Ambler School Notes." Ambler Gazette. May 5, 1932. Page 1. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_17903.
"Ambler Seniors Go To Washington." Ambler Gazette. May 2, 1935. Page. 1. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_22216.
"Ambler's Squad Makes Fast Time." Ambler Gazette. May 4, 1933. Page 1. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_20619.
"Class of 1932." Wissahickon High School. Accessed August 1, 2026. https://whs.wsdweb.org/resources/alumni/hall-of-fame/class-of-1932.
"Honors Awarded In Ambler High." Ambler Gazette. May 19, 1932. Page 1. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_20039.
"Knight Set Mark At High School Meet." Ambler Gazette. May 21, 1936. Page 6. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_24056.
"Local High School Track Team First." Ambler Gazette. May 24, 1934. Page 4. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_20544.
"The King’s Daughters Newsletters." Wissahickon Valley Historical Society. Accessed August 1, 2026. https://www.wvalleyhs.org/the-kings-daughters-wwii-newsletters/.
"Third in Penn Relays." Ambler Gazette. April 29, 1937. Page 6. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_21769.
"Trojan Runners Win P.I.A.A. Track Meet." Ambler Gazette. May 26, 1938. Pages 1 & 6. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_23723.
"Trojan Trackmen Receive Letters." Ambler Gazette. June 23, 1938. Page 6. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_22100.
Comments