Adam Dixon: Back On Track

It didn't take long for Adam Dixon to make his presence felt this past week, but then it never has since the track star first set foot in Harvard Yard in the fall of '78.

In that year Dixon became the first freshman track All-American in Crimson history. His career soared, until an injury sidelined him in December 1981.

Now Adam Dixon is back. After not having run indoors in 14 months-- and having taken the past two semesters off-Dixon returned to Harvard last Tuesday. Within live days he was once again making headlines, this time for blowing away the competition in the mile at the Greater Boston Track and Field Championships hosted by Harvard Saturday.

Dixon's victory was one of four wins of the day for the thinclads, who finished third overall behind BU and Northeastern Brad Bunney and Dwayne Jones- stars in their own right--provided the two other individual crimson wins Saturday. The fourth came in a distance relay. But Dixon's mile undoubtedly was the highlight of the meet, if for no other reason than that it answered a lot of questions about Dixon's status.

History is helpful here. Before being felled with a ripped tendon in his left foot Dixon was the All-Ivy, All-East, All American sensation who set an American record in the 1000 meters. Going into what should have been the final six months of his Harvard career Dixon was expected by many to be the top collegiate middle distance runner in the country.

That was a little over a year ago. At the time then-coach Bill McCurdy told a reporter "he has more athletic ability than anybody I've coached" McCurdy had coached the last 30 Harvard varsity track teams.

All expectations were dashed of at least postponed by the injury Dixon suffered in a dual meet against Army at the end of 1981. The Wilton, Conn. native went home and didn't run on an indoor track for more than a year.

This past tall Dixon, still away from school gradually prepared his comeback. Harvard coach prank Haggerty says he tutored his pupil ever the phone while Dixon fan eight to 10 miles a day on his own on Tuesday Dixon returned to school Then came Saturday race.

For Dixon the GBC mile was his first race in 14 months. And all observers knew it According to Haggerty. "There were a lot of expectations surrounding the race, which put more pressure on Adam". Dixon ran with a broken hand and an untested left foot. He responded to the situation superbly.

Lady Luck certainly played its part. Dixon's opponents--BU's Mark Kimball and Brandeis's Mark Beeman--came out of the blocks with a slow pace which delayed putting pressure on Dixon's tender foot until the late stages of the race.

The competition's strategy played into Dixon's hands perfectly. The harrier ran his own race, hanging back the first three-quarters and then in the final lap exploding with his famous kick which has served hire so faithfully in the past.

Dixon ran the final half mile in the incredible time of 1:57. He finished at 4:05:48, almost two seconds slower than his personal best but good enough to beat his rivals by more than three seconds.

Not bad since he ran with a broken hand. Not bad since he took up running only in college, excelling instead in six over in high school. Not bad since he hadn't traced in 14 months. But maybe to be expected for someone who always seems capable of one more surprise for fans of Harvard track.

The track season lasts four more months. Stay tuned.