Old Kansas City North Stars Track Club - Jennie Gorham, et al

I remember Jennie Gorham. If I'm not mistaken, she was involved and won the Jr Olympic Nationals one year - ~mid 70s.

Been There, Done That wrote:

I remember Jennie Gorham. If I'm not mistaken, she was involved and won the Jr Olympic Nationals one year - ~mid 70s.

She actually won three golds (100-200-400) and ran 51.64(A) in high school. I'm looking anyone else who was a part of the North Stars; just wanting to reconnect.

I was an original member of the track club. Funny how I found this site! I am on facebook and am friends with Jennie on facebook, but she never posts. I'm friends with a few others from the club. I've often thought about a reunion. Those were some fun day! Who are you?

I was part of the KC North Stars and still stay in contact with several others.

Did the situation with Bob Kuhn end the club????

Hello to all on this thread. I just found this trying to tell my son how we practiced at Winnetonka, which just moved back to the Brighton corridor.. My sisters(Shawnda Merriman, Kelle and Kim Reno) and i were members. I believe Jennie and my sister were very good friends. Do not know of any members where abouts. I was on the relay team at the Pius Junnior Olympics that won by a landslide and got DQ'd when they found that we had to fill a spot, by a non-registered member. It would be great to here from some others. Good times!

Hi All, I also just found this site. I ran with the North Stars back in the 70's with Jennie and Susan.

. ..E-mailed the OP for you new posters.

I wasn't there long - only during the winter of 78-79. I ran the indoor workouts in the old warehouse north of the river (we lived in rural Johnson County) and ran indoor meets in the old Municipal Auditorium and made the trip to Sterling, IL for an indoor meet. That was quite a treat for a country kid who only had a 220-yard dirt track to run on at the time.

I am trying to find a roster of the members of this club. Any idea where I might find this?

I ran with the North Stars until 1978. I remember Jenny Gorham and Jenny Wrigley. Both were great and inspiring runners. I miss our old team and Bob Coon. He was an awesome coach

I ran with the North Stars from 1977 until 1982 or 83’ish or so. I don’t remember exactly when it stopped but it was in Parkville. I remember most of the team and always wondered where everyone is today.

Zat0pek wrote:

Been There, Done That wrote:

I remember Jennie Gorham.

She actually won three golds (100-200-400) and ran 51.64(A) in high school.

I remember her name. Where did she go to college and how did she do at that level. 51+ high school in the 70's is pretty special.

Jennie went to Nebraska where she was All-American at least 12 times.

dab wrote:

Jennie went to Nebraska where she was All-American at least 12 times.

I did not remember that kind of success. That is fantastic.

Did her time at Nebraska overlap any time with Merlene Ottey?

Opinionated guy wrote:

dab wrote:

Jennie went to Nebraska where she was All-American at least 12 times.

I did not remember that kind of success. That is fantastic.

Did her time at Nebraska overlap any time with Merlene Ottey?

Yes. Jennie and Merlene ran on many relays together. I think that all of Jennie's All-American honors were in relays, but Jennie won a few individual conference championship races. (Big 8, which is now Big 12 and Big 10)

Jennie is now a physician. Her sister was pretty smart, too.

dab wrote:

Jennie and Merlene ran on many relays together. I think that all of Jennie's All-American honors were in relays, but Jennie won a few individual conference championship races. (Big 8, which is now Big 12 and Big 10)

No need to quantify. A relay takes 4.

I saw Merlene at Drake in the early 80's. I was awestruck. I had never viewed a body that seemed so perfect for running. Not in any sort of perverted way. She scratched her head and her calf moved.

A doctor. The smart and successful just keep it going.

I ran 100, 220. 440, I believe it was around 1975. I meet Jennie on my first day of practice. And never wanted to leave her side. We stay in touch up until she got married.1982 I think. The gorham family were a awesome family.

That was a very special time in my life that I will never forget.

Thanks for letting me post.

Doug cross

It's nice to read these posts! I hope you all are well! I'm Bob's oldest daughter...