Besanko was a junior nationals hurdles champion and competed in many athletics events before joining Essendon.
[1] He was also a member of the Victorian team that won the 4 x 100 metres relay final in 1977-78, along with Fred Lehmann, Peter Van Miltenburg and Colin McQueen.
[1] At both World Cups he was a finalist in the 4 x 100 metres relays, placing seventh each time.
[1] His best individual performance at a World Cup came in 1979, when he made the 200 metres final and finished eighth.
[4] In 1983 he captain-coached Dingley but returned to Essendon the following year, to join their coaching staff.