Hall of Fame
1971, 1973, 1974, Men's Cross Country Teams
Men's Cross Country Teams 1971, 1973, 1974
- Induction:
- 2012
The Ducks’ legendary foundation of distance runners had been established decades earlier but until now, an NCAA cross country team title had eluded their grasp. After securing a trio of runners-up finishes and one bronze medal the previous eight years, the breakthrough occurred in 1971 under the watchful eye of former Oregon Olympian Bill Dellinger. He and Bill Bowerman assembled a core of overachieving walk-ons to surround national phenom Steve Prefontaine as the Ducks captured a trio of NCAA cross country crowns in a four-year span. (Oregon placed third in 1972.) Pre won individual NCAA honors in 1971 and ’73 – as he did in 1970 – yet the depth of the three championships was supported by five additional athletes earning All-America acclaim during the remarkable stretch. Randy James finished 19th in the 1971 meet (and 4th in 1972), Terry Williams 22nd and 6th, respectively, in 1973 and ’74, with Williams joined by Paul Geis (4th), Dave Taylor (5th), and Gary Barger (25th) in the All-America circle the final year of the string. Oregon’s additional NCAA meet competitors during that span included Mike Long, Rick Ritchie, Mark Savage and Pat Tyson in 1971; Scott Daggatt and Tom Hale in 1973; as well as Bob Hensley and Lars Kaupang in 1974. The smallest margin of victory among the three championships was 33 points (over Western Kentucky) in 1974, while the Ducks’ 74 points that same year were the fewest accumulated by the winning team in five years.
Duck Insider 9-12-25
Friday, September 12
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Duck Insider 9-11-25
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Oregon Football Coaches Show 9-3-25
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