For the fourth time in the past five years, North Central College won the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III cross country championship.

It was the second consecutive title for the Cardinals, although the victory didn't come easy. North Central edged Humboldt State University of Arcata, Calif., 85-93. Carleton College of Northfield, Minn., defeated the remainder of the field for third place at Credit Island in Davenport, Iowa.

The Cardinals were placed by junior Jeff Milliman (24:20.5) who finished fourth. Junior Dan Skarda (24:35.1) and senior captain Steve Jawor (24:36.4) were next for the Cardinals in 12th and 13th place, respectively. Senior Jim Nichols (24:59.0) followed in 26th position and sophomore Dale Koepnick (25:25.2) completed the scoring for North Central in 57th place. The team finishes for the Cardinals were 3-10-11-18-43 for 85 points.

Senior Joe Mallon (25:58.3) and junior Keith Zobrist (26:07.3) completed North Central's squad in the 1979 field of 29 teams and 37 individual entries. Steve Hunt of Boston State College won the individual title in 24:12.1.

North Central coach Al Carius called this year's win "the most thrilling one I've experienced." Undoubtedly that was because it was the toughest of the four national titles the Cardinals have won in cross country since the NCAA adopted its three-division format for the sport in 1973.

- excerpt from North Central NOW, Winter 1980
information provided by the College Archives