Watch 2016 Induction Ceremony
North Dakota State University won the NCAA College Division cross country meet in Wheaton, Ill., with Bison
Mike Slack capturing his second individual championship.
Slack, who the previous week finished second to South Dakota State's Garry Bentley, was believed to be ill earlier in the week and Coach
Roger Grooters questioned his ability to defend his national championship. But blood tests revealed Slack was suffering from a short-term virus and would be able to compete.
His time of 24 minutes, 36 seconds over the five-mile Chicago Golf Course was short of his meet record of 24:19. Grooters described the Chicago layout as a "slow course."
The Bison finished with 84 points with South Dakota State giving the North Central Conference a 1-2 finish with 143 points for the runner-up spot. Defending champion California-Fullerton was third with 158.
Roger Schwegel was the second Bison to finish, in 20th place.
Dave Kampa was 21st, freshman
Warren Eide 38th and
Mark Buzby 46th. Slack, Schwegel and Kampa, by finishing in the top 25, gain Little All-America honors. Rounding out the team were
Steve Moe and
Wayne Smedsrud.
Bison Coach Roger Grooters...
"It was the best team effort by far this year. We got up front and in good position early which inspired the kids to do well because they knew they had a chance at the national championship."
"It wasn't the case of a super effort by one individual, but was an outstanding effort by the entire team."
"If one individual had to be singled out it would be Dave Kampa in view of the fact that he had missed most of the season. He did a tremendous job for us."
NCAA Champion Mike Slack...
"There was a big mass of guys at the start so I got out in as good a position as possible. After the first half-mile I was in 15th or 20th and just waited to see how things went."
"Moynihan took the lead at the three-mile and I followed him until about the four-mile point in the race. We went up and down one hill and were just going up another when I took the lead. I led him by just a few strides until there was only a half mile left in the race. Then I picked up about four seconds on him."
