Chenango Forks Track and Field
Hall of Fame

Graduated:

School Record in 880 Yard Relay
Second in 220 Yard Dash
Fifth in 100 Yard Dash

SUS Champion: 220 Yard Sprint (1076, 1977), 880 Yard Relay (1977)
State Meet: 220 Yard Dash (1977)

There were not many meets that Jim Cannin raced in where someone didn’t make the pun, “Jim shot out like a Cannin.”  And while it may have caused Jim to roll his eyes, it was a true statement as Jim was one of the fastest Sprinters in the history of Chenango Forks.  Although he ran the 5th fastest 100 Yard Dash All Time, it was his amazing ability to run the turn that established him as a true running legend.  In his junior year, Cannin was timed at an unreal 22.7 seconds in the 220 Yard Dash, which over 40 years later still is ranked 3rd in School History.  He was All Conference two years in a row in the event and qualified for the State Meet his junior year. 

According to the Press and Sun Bulletin, Jim’s number one goal for his track career was to break the 880 Meter Relay School Record from the famed 1961 team anchored by the great Jerry Casey.  Cannin and his teammates Dave Cagneck, Ronald Johnson, and Jon Randall tirelessly worked on their handoffs and marks in practice and each of the meets leading up to the Susquenango Championships at the end of May 1977.  The work paid off as they ran a 1:35.4, besting the 1961 squad’s time by over half a second, earning All Conference, setting the SUS Conference Record, and establishing a School Record that has still not been bested over 40 years later.  Jim Cannin’s third leg was clocked in at a blistering 21.2 seconds!