North Central needed all seven of its runners to claim "one for the other thumb," the Cardinals' 10th cross country national championship, in November. The victory came at the site of their first championship, Franklin Park in Boston.

North Central scored the identical point total as a year ago, 94 to edge Mount Union College by two points. North Central's No. 7 runner, senior Chad Hillman of South Wilmington, Ill., placed 69th, but ahead of Mount Union's No. 5 runner.

Junior Tony Rizzo of Schaumburg, Ill., was 10th individually, covering the rain and mud-soaked 8K course in 25:38. Teammate Ryan Board, a senior from Crown Point, Ind., was 13th and senior Jeff Stiles of Ames, Iowa, who missed All-America honors by just three places at last year's nationals, was 35th, earning that distinction in 1997.

"Determination" was the key word of the day for North Central. Junior Jack Kafel of Chicago fell to the ground just 300 meters from the beginning, was helped up by another runner, and finished a strong 40th. As Stiles was turning for home, some 600 meters from the end, he fell face-first into the mud, but got up to earn the necessary points for All-America and the top team trophy. Junior Weert Goldenstein of Elgin, Ill., was 37th, while senior Andy Snook of Geneseo, Ill., placed 42nd.

The win capped a tremendous season, which included North Central's 24th straight CCIW title. Board won the individual conference title, and the Cardinals scored a perfect 15 points, claiming the top seven places and 10 of the first 13 spots.

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