Larry Tommie Pickering


Year Inducted: 1976
Nominated By: Marion R. Gordon (colleague)
Sports Competed In: Cross Country, Track
Athlete, Coach or Contributor: Coach

Larry T. PickeringLarry T. Pickering

High School:
Attended Trego County H.S., in WaKeeney, Kansas where he graduated in 1962.

Achievements:
High School:
Specialized in running the dash events on the track team where he earned four varsity letters in four years.

Personal Best at Trego County H.S.:
Event (Time)
100 yd dash  (9.9)
220 yd dash  (21.2)
440 yd dash  (50.2)

 

Kansas State Track Meet:

Year:
1959
1959
1960
1961
1961
1962
1962

Event:
100 yd dash
220 yd dash
100 yd dash
100 yd dash
220 yd dash
440 yd dash
220 yd dash

Place:
3rd
3rd
3rd
2nd
1ST STATE CHAMPION
2nd
1ST STATE CHAMPION

 

College:
Went to Ft. Hayes State College, graduating in 1966...Continued his post-graduate studies at Ft. Hayes State College, earning a MS degree in 1967.

Achievements:
College:
● Earned NAIA All-American honors in track (outdoors) in 1965.
● Member of the mile relay teams that finished second and sixth in the nation, respectively at the NAIA National outdoor and indoor meets in 1965.
● Missouri Valley AAU champion in the 100 and 220 yard dash events as well as the League (CIC) Champion in 440 yard dash (both indoor and outdoor) in 1965.

Personal College Best at Ft. Hayes State College:
Event (Time)
100 yd dash  (9.8)
220 yd dash  (20.8)
440 yd dash  (45.7)
880 yd dash  (1:59.7)

Coaching Career:
● Head cross country coach at Pueblo Centennial H.S. for eight years (1967-75).
● Also served as an assistant coach on the Bulldogs track team for two seasons (1968-69) before taking the reins of the program in 1970.

Achievements:
Coaching:
● Won five consecutive State Cross Country Championships (1969-73) in eight seasons.
● Finished runner-up at state meets three other times (1967-68 and 1974).
● City champions seven times in nine years.
● League champions six times in nine years.
● District champions four out of six seasons.
● Overall record for nine years: Recorded a winning percentage of .960 (Computed by taking the 77 Large meets Centennial has run in over the past nine years and breaking them down into dual meets: 1,169 total duals winning 1,122 and losing 47 others.)
● Coached five Individual State Cross Country Champions: Len Trujillo (1967-68), Dennis Trujillo (1970-71), J.J. Griffin (1972) who still holds State Record at 9:41.

Track Athlete's who excelled under Pickering at Pueblo Centennial H.S.:

Year:
1971-72
1973
1973
1973

Athlete:
Dennis Trujillo
J.J. Griffin
J.J. Griffin
J.J. Griffin

Accomplishment:
State Champion in Mile
All-American Champion in 2 mile
State Champion in 2 mile
Golden West Invitational in 2 mile

Time:

9:11.2
9:18.2
8:57.6*

Other:


State Record
5th Place

 

*Became the first Colorado High School runner to break 9:00 for 2 mile.

Honors:
● Colorado Cross Country Coach of the Year (1972, 1974).
● Lectured at National Coaches Convention (1972, 1974).
● Lectured at Colorado Coaches Association Convention in 1972
● Lectured at High Altitude Training Camp at Camp Crockett (1971-73).
● Selected as Cross Country "Coach-of-the-Year" for District 6 of the U.S. (1974-1975 school year).
● One of eight nominated for National Cross Country "Coach-of-the-Year" (1974-1975 school year).
● Published article in "The Coaching Clinic Magazine", June 1972 edition.
● Published a book titled "Dedication: The Key to Cross Country Success".
● Past President of Colorado Track Coaches Association (CTCA).
● Past Member of Colorado High School Coaches Association (CHSCA) Board of Directors.
● Member of the National Committee for Cross Country, representing District #6.

Occupation:
Teacher, coach in School District #60 at Pueblo Centennial H.S.

Personal:
Lived in Pueblo, CO...Married 51 years to his wife, Karen...Passed away, June 14, 2018.


GPSA "P" By The Numbers

LEGEND: p = awarded posthumously; ^= attended first meeting; * = deceased;+ = charter member (placed after year inducted)

1
Athlete/Contributor
Walter Lee "Walt" Pickard (1988*)

Attended Pueblo Centennial H.S.
Myron Eugene "Gene" Poston (2018*p)

Attended Vineland/Pueblo County H.S.
Pete Karl Pisciotta (1991*)

Attended Roncalli/Pueblo Central H.S.
Wayne Gerard Pechek (1997)

Attended Pueblo County H.S.
Joe Thomas "Joe" Pannunzio II (2009)

Bowling
David R. "Perk" Perkins (2017)

Coach/Contributor
Rev. John Powers (1982*)

Contributor
Ethelyn Thatcher [Jones] Potestio (2001*)

Cross Country
Larry Tommie Pickering (1976*)

Gymnastics
Elieen Krasovec-Perez (2017)

Swimming
BrianJeffrey Pearson (2020)

Racing
Walter Lee "Walt" Pickard (1988*)

Water Ski
Jerry Lisle "Too Much" Pike (2003*)

 

2
Athlete/Coach/Official
Dr. Elliott R. Plese (2008*p)
Dr. Paul John "Jack" Parsons (1982*)

Attended Pueblo Catholic H.S.
Joseph Lee "Joe" Puleo III (2009*)
Fred A. Pechek, Jr. (2000*)

Golf
Rick Pobst (1995*p)
Robert William "Bob" Pobst (1982*)

Wrestling
Charles A. "Chuck" Puga III (2004)
Ray Psuedu (1991*)

 

4
Attended H.S. Outside Colorado
Joseph C. "Joe" Prater (2006*p)
University H.S., Fayetteville, AR
Rev. John Powers (1982*)
H.S., in Ireland
Larry Tommie Pickering (1976*)
Trego County H.S., WaKeeney, KS
Edward V. "Ed" Posa (1975)
Brooklyn Boy's H.S., Brooklyn, NY

Boxing
Frank A. "Inky" Pechek (2011*p)
Donald Eugene "Don" Perko (2000*)
Q.B. Pryor (1982*)
Frank E. Perko, Jr. (1981*)

 

5
Coach
Fred A. Pechek, Jr. (2000*)
Pete Karl Pisciotta (1991*)
Ray Psuedu (1991*)
Sam Pagano (1987)
Larry Tommie Pickering (1976*)

Softball
David R. "Perk" Perkins (2017)
Fred A. "Coogan" Pechek (1988*)
Robert William "Bob" Pobst (1982*)
Phillip L. "Hank" Pechek (1981*p)

7
Athlete/Coach
Brian Jeffrey Pearson (2020)
Frances P. "Fran" Price (2010)
Joe Thomas "Joe" Pannunzio II (2009)
Joseph C. "Joe" Prater (2006*p)
Charles A. "Chuck" Puga III (2004)
Richard Ryan "Rich" Purcell (1987)
Edward V. "Ed" Posa (1975)

Attended Pueblo Centennial H.S.
Myron Eugene "Gene" Poston (2018*p)
Jerry Lisle "Too Much" Pike (2003*)
Ethelyn Thatcher [Jones] Potestio (2001*)
Richard Ryan "Rich" Purcell (1987)
David C. "Dave" Parlapiano (1982*)
Dr. Paul John "Jack" Parsons (1982*)
David Packard (1975*)

Honorees Awarded Posthumously
Myron Eugene "Gene" Poston (2018*p)
Frank A. "Inky" Pechek (2011*p)
Dr. Elliott R. Plese (2008*p)
Joseph C. "Joe" Prater (2006*p)
Rick Pobst (1995*p)
Phillip L. "Hank" Pechek (1981*p)
Frank Richard "Pap" Papish (1978*p)

Track
Myron Eugene "Gene" Poston (2018*p)
David R. "Perk" Perkins (2017)
Charles A. "Chuck" Puga III (2004)
Peter C. "Pete Pomeleo (1988*)
Dr. Albert D. Potestio (1985*)
Larry Tommie Pickering (1976*)
David Packard (1975*)

Baseball
Joseph Lee "Joe" Puleo III (2009*)
Joseph C. "Joe" Prater (2006*p)
Jerry Lisle "Too Much" Pike (2003*)
Wayne Gerard Pechek (1997)
Pete Karl Pisciotta (1991*)
Fred A. "Coogan" Pechek (1988*)
Frank E. Perko, Jr. (1981*)

 

8
Basketball
Myron Eugene "Gene" Poston (2018*p)
David R. "Perk" Perkins (2017)
Frank A. "Inky" Pechek (2011*p)
Frances P. "Fran" Price (2010)
Joseph C. "Joe" Prater (2006*p)
Richard Ryan "Rich" Purcell (1987)
Dr. Paul John "Jack" Parsons (1982*)
David Packard (1975*)

16
Attended Pueblo Central H.S.
Brian Jeffrey Pearson (2020)
Eileen Krasovec-Perez (2017)
David R. "Perk" Perkins (2017)
Frank A. "Inky" Pechek (2011*p)
Dr. Elliott R. Plese (2008*p)
Charles A. "Chuck" Puga III (2004)
Donald Eugene "Don" Perko (2000)
Ray Psuedu (1991)
Frank Stephen Pagano (1988*)
Walter Lee "Walt" Pickard (1988*)
Sam Pagano (1987)
Dr. Albert D. Potestio (1985*)
Robert William "Bob" Pobst (1982*)
Q.B. Pryor (1982*)
Frank E. Perko, Jr. (1981*)
Frank Richard "Pap" Papish (1978*p)

Football
Myron Eugene "Gene" Poston (2018*p)
David R. "Perk" Perkins (2017)
Joe Thomas "Joe" Pannunzio II (2009)
Joseph C. "Joe" Prater (2006*p)
Charles A. "Chuck" Puga III (2004)
Pete Karl Pisciotta (1991*)
Ray Psuedu (1991*)
Frank Stephen Pagano (1988*)
Peter C. "Pete Pomeleo (1988*)
Sam Pagano (1987)
Dr. Albert D. Potestio (1985*)
David C. "Dave" Parlapiano (1982*)
Dr. Paul John "Jack" Parsons (1982*)
Frank Richard "Pap" Papish (1978*p)
David Packard (1975*)
Edward V. "Ed" Posa (1975)

Athletes
Myron Eugene "Gene" Poston (2018*p)
Eileen Krasovec-Perez (2017)
David R. "Perk" Perkins (2017)
Frank A. "Inky" Pechek (2011*p)
Joseph Lee "Joe" Puleo III (2009*)
Dr. Elliott R. Plese (2008*p)
Jerry Lisle "Too Much" Pike (2003*)
Donald Eugene "Don" Perko (2000*)
Wayne Gerard Pechek (1997)
Rick Pobst (1995*p)
Robert "Bobby" Pechek (1989*)
Frank Stephen Pagano (1988*)
Fred A. "Coogan" Pechek (1988*)
Peter C. "Pete" Pomeleo (1988*)
Dr. Albert D. Potestio (1985*)
David C. "Dave" Parlapiano (1982*)
Robert William "Bob" Pobst (1982*)
Q.B. Pryor (1982*)
Phillip L. "Hank" Pechek (1981*p)
Frank E. Perko, Jr. (1981*)
Frank Richard "Pap" Papish (1978*p)
David Packard (1975*)

 

25
Honorees Deceased
Ray Psuedu (1991*)
Myron Eugene "Gene" Poston (2018*p)
Frank A. "Inky" Pechek (2011*p)
Joseph Lee "Joe" Puleo III (2009*)
Joseph C. "Joe" Prater (2006*p)
Jerry Lisle "Too Much" Pike (2003*)
Ethelyn Thatcher [Jones] Potestio (2001*)
Fred A. Pechek, Jr. (2000*)
Donald Eugene "Don" Perko (2000*)
Rick Pobst (1995*p)
Pete Karl Pisciotta (1991*)
Frank Stephen Pagano (1988*)
Fred A. "Coogan" Pechek (1988*)
Walter Lee "Walt" Pickard (1988*)
Peter C. "Pete Pomeleo (1988*)
Dr. Albert D. Potestio (1985*)
David C. "Dave" Parlapiano (1982*)
Robert William "Bob" Pobst (1982*)
Rev. John Powers (1982*)
Q.B. Pryor (1982*)
Phillip L. "Hank" Pechek (1981*p)
Frank E. Perko, Jr. (1981*)
Frank Richard "Pap" Papish (1978*p)
Larry Tommie Pickering (1976*)
David Packard (1975*)

 

37
Honorees in "P" Section

 

 

 

 

REMEMBERING OUR FALLEN GPSA INDUCTEES

The Greater Pueblo Sports Association (GPSA) has announced a list of honorees that have passed since the 2023 induction ceremony on Nov. 15.

 

 

Daniel RosalesDaniel
Rosales

12/13/2023
Class of 2002

Everett C. ThalhamerEverett C.
Thalhamer

12/23/2023
Class of 2014

Bob GrahamBobby Max
Graham

02/26/2024
Class of 1990

Joe BonaquistaJoe
Bonaquista

07/16/2024
Class of 1977