North Central College Cardinals

Roster: Ken Andrews, Dan Baker, Kurt Bounds, Joel Bowman, Bob Cisler, Ed Clark, John Collet, Walter Criscione, Kevin Enke, Tom Garvey, Mark Gavic, Tim Geldean, Doug Hearn, Jay Jackson, George Kinsey, Mitch Kopczyk, Lem Lindler, Wendel McRaven, Scott Parker, Tyler Pickering, Michael Pierce, Jeronimo Reyes, Doug Rivera, Dan Rowan, Stephen Schlunz, Scot Schwarting, Rich Scopp, Steve Shute, Dave Slinn, Brian Sledz, Kevin Smith, Brad Todden, Stan Ujka, Rich Vigsnes, Brian Wilson, Pete Wolf; Coaches: Al Carius and Ken Popejoy 

 

North Central College’s 1987 men’s cross country team added another chapter to the program’s storied history, capturing its seventh NCAA Division III national championship on November 21 in Holland, Michigan. The Cardinals capped a remarkable season that included the first perfect score of 15 points in program history at the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) meet while claiming their 14th consecutive CCIW title. Along the way, North Central also extended its dominance at the NCAA Midwest Regional, remaining the only program to win the regional title since the NCAA introduced Division III regional qualifying in 1978. 

 

Competing on a snow-covered 8,000-meter course at the Holland Country Club, North Central produced four All-Americans. Seniors Brad Todden (24:39.3) and Jay Jackson (24:41.2) led the Cardinals with fifth- and sixth-place finishes, respectively, to achieve All-American status. Junior Joel Bowman (25:04.5) improved two places from the previous season to finish among the top 20, while junior John Collet (25:10.9) earned All-America honors with a 25th-place finish. Freshman Bob Cisler narrowly missed All-America recognition as the team’s fifth man, placing 26th overall in 25:13.7. Juniors Doug Hearn (25:42.4) and Rich Scopp (25:56.2) rounded out the Cardinals’ top seven runners, while junior Tom Garvey served as the team’s alternate. 

Coached by Al Carius, the Cardinals totaled 67 points to secure their first national championship since 1982. North Central finished ahead of runner-up University of Wisconsin–La Crosse (78 points), while University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh finished third (187 points).