You never know who is reading the newspaper

My name is Eric Bunge.

I hope this email finds its way to Brian Larsen who wrote the following article back in May: www.cookcountynews-herald.com/articles/missing-sports/

I am Andy’s younger brother. Andy is seven years my senior. Your article brought back so many memories for me. I was in 6th grade at that time. The night before the finals were the prelims. It was a beautiful night. Andy came by the 660 mark at 1:19.6 and I thought he was going to go for the record right then and there. There is no way he wouldn’t have finished the final 220 yards in more than 30 seconds. He was already over 90 yards ahead of second place. Later he told me he thought he needed to save something for the finals and he should wait to break the record the next day. Well, as you wrote, the next day was windy as all get-out. Andy told me he never ran so hard for such a slow time in his life.

Thank you for your article. Andy sent it to me. Someone sent it to him recently upon the news of the University of Minnesota shutting down men’s track and field.

Eric Bunge

Editor’s note: Andy Bunge was the state champion half-mile runner in 1972-73. Cook County had three fast half milers in 1973, but each was picked off by an unknown runner from Barnum who had spent the season jogging through track meets. Turns out he had run a 1:53 half mile as a junior while living in California. He laid a trap for Andy Bunge at state, coming into the meet with the slowest qualifying time. It almost worked, but Andy beat him by a lean.