Too Small to Win: How a Small-Town Team Beat All Odds in One of the Greatest Underdog Stories in the History of Sports - Softcover

Martin, Ron; Lowe, Randy

Softcover

ISBN 13: 9798992233223

Publisher: Caldwell 6 Pack LLC, 2025

Synopsis

You wouldn’t think a tiny place like Caldwell, Ohio—a village with three traffic lights and a population under 2,000 in the Appalachian foothills –-would become a cross country hotbed. But in the 1980’s, a group of determined young runners from this small rural town, defied the odds, fought their way to the top, and went on to be recognized as the best high school boys cross country team in America.

Their journey to greatness wasn’t solely based on athleticism. It was fueled by teamwork, commitment to excellence, challenging terrain, mental toughness, and the fearlessness to race against schools 10 times Caldwell’s size.

In Too Small to Win you’ll discover the true story of the Caldwell High School boys’ Cross country team’s improbable rise from 1983 through 1986 - the beginning of a dynasty. You’ll learn about the exhilarating highs and heart-wrenching lows of their unforgettable race for greatness and the legacy they left behind.

The underdog story is recounted by Coach Ron Martin and the runners who have carried the lessons they learned in cross country into their personal and professional lives.

The book also includes Coach Martin’s 10 “keys to success”- those factors that were critical to the team’s remarkable progress.

This David-vs.-Goliath tale of triumph over adversity reminds us that size and circumstances alone do not determine our outcomes.

Don’t miss this gripping tale of perseverance, grit, and triumph that will leave you awestruck and inspired!

About this title

About the Authors

Ron Martin has been a health and physical education teacher for 30 years and a track and cross country coach for 47 years. He has spent his entire career working with children and young adults, helping them develop into better runners and ultimately better people. He coached at Caldwell High School in Caldwell, Ohio at the start of his career-where his cross country team won the national championship in 1986-and other high schools and universities throughout Ohio. Among the numerous awards Ron has won are the Noble County Goodwill Ambassador Award, the Marv Frye Award, State Coach of the Year for Ohio, and four different Track and Cross Country Hall of Fame inductions.

Randy Lowe was one of the key runners on Coach Martin's nationally celebrated cross country team. He has also been a Running/Masters Age Group Athlete, was an NCAA Division 1 cross country letterman at Kent State University, and has completed five marathons, including two Boston Qualifying Marathons at ages 45 and 50 and the 2014 Boston Marathon at age 45. He finished third in the 2019 Arnold Pump and Run (17:47 5k) at age 51.

Edition details

• Publisher: Caldwell 6 Pack LLC
• Publication date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 13: 9798992233223
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 208