Thanks for the kudos, mr common sense, but I'd wouldn't dare call those runs anywhere near 'great,' in fact, I'd barely call them 'good.' You have to remember, in those days none of the post collegians were anywhere near good form during the fall season, and all of the college guys left it all at NCAA nationals (or should have) 5 days before. Secondly, under no circumstances would I ever think that defeating a teammate was important. I'd rank that "somewhere between whale shit and the bottom of the sea." If I could outlift "the Stem" now that would be something to be proud of.
With that said, I'll confess that I used the POSE method back then, letting gravity act on my belly full of Thanksgiving turkey to pull me in a forward direction.
As far as the Colorado track club goes, Frank Shorter did win at least one national championship running for them. Any guesses when?