DECATUR — When Decatur schools have their preseason tuneup race for cross country, they'll run in honor of one of the top coaches in the history of Decatur high school athletics. The combined MacArthur and Eisenhower team is hosting the 16th annual Bill Harbeck Cross Country meet on Friday at Fairview Park, an unofficial time trial that honors the former MacArthur and Mount Zion coach who led the Generals to a track state title before winning a cross country state title in charge of the Braves. MacArthur and Eisenhower alumni, junior high and high school runners will all run together.
Harbeck died in May at age 82. Current MacArthur-Eisenhower coach Angelo Rinchiuso was a longtime friend of Harbeck and coached at MacArthur 16 years ago while Harbeck was at Mount Zion when he decided to name the meet after Harbeck. "I just said, 'Well, you did such a great job, we're going to name this meet after you,'" Rinchiuso said.
Rinchiuso took the task of designing the new track complex at MacArthur that's named after Harbeck. It'll be the kind of facility that Harbeck would have been proud of, with a blue track with different color exchange zones and specific jumps and throws areas that are top grade. "It's going to be beautiful," Rinchiuso said.
Rinchiuso said he would call Harbeck after big track meets at the college and professional level to talk strategy or discuss the performances they just watched. He saw the greatness firsthand as Harbeck molded multiple state champions at MacArthur and Mount Zion. Rinchiuso said the meet is dedicated to Harbeck because the former coach dedicated his life to the sport.
"He did it for as long as he could," Rinchiuso said of Harbeck, who coached until his final days. "He would crawl out there if he had to." Rinchiuso said he's tried to emulate Harbeck's ability to get the best out of his athletes at the end of each season for the postseason.
MacArthur-Eisenhower has a small team with seven boys and two girls. Sophomore Michael Porter and senior Jacob Case lead the charge for the returners. Rinchiuso said recruitment has been difficult at times with competition from other fall sports like football, soccer and volleyball.
After the Bill Harbeck Meet, MacArthur-Eisenhower will start its season with the Lanphier Invitational on Sept. 14..
