Hall of Fame
Certainly one of the most successful Peru State athletic teams, regardless of the sport of era, was the 1965 cross country squad. In only its third year of existence on campus, Coach Jim Pilkington’s harriers experienced the finest season of the program’s short history, completing the regular- season undefeated in six dual meets, and winning five of six triangulars. After a runner-up finish in the Nebraska College Conference meet, the Bobcats topped perennial Nebraska power Kearney State to win the regional title, then furnished the surprise of the NAIA national championships by taking third place in the team standings behind Fort Hays (Kan.) State and Whitworth (Wash.)-the highest national team finish to date in any sport in Peru State history.
In lieu of its astonishing feat, the ’65 cross country squad is deservedly the first non-football or basketball team to enter the Hall of Fame.
Team members: Van Allen, Nemaha; James Bailey, Auburn; Jim Bohl, Howe; Louis Fritz, Verdon; Tim Hendricks, Omaha; Phil Herbster, Holdrege; Ron Jones, Hernderson, Iowa; Roger Neujahr, Gresham; Jim O’ Donoghue, Worcester, Mass.; Jack Rinne, Burchard; Tom Rosengren, Omaha; Jim Sprague, South Lyon, Mich; Dan Trout, Crab Orchard; Jim Watson, Red Cloud; and Dick Zaparanick, Westfield, N.J.
Coach: James Pilkington.
