The History of Emporia State Cross Country: A Legendary Tradition of Distance Running

Emporia State University has established a legendary tradition in cross country. ESU started cross country competition at the national level with a fifth place finish at the 1946 National Intercollegiate Championships. The Hornet harriers claimed NAIA cross country championships in 1958, 1959, 1961, and 1962 and a NCAA small college national championship in 1963. They finished as the national runner-up in 1963 and again in 1964. Ireland Sloan in 1962 and John Camien in 1963 and 1964 won individual NAIA National Championships. Eighteen athletes have earned cross country All-American honors in Emporia State University history. The Emporia State Women’s cross country team began in 1980, the same year that the NAIA added women’s cross country. During the 12 year history of Emporia State’s participation in NAIA women’s cross country, ESU established itself as one of the top teams in the nation. ESU posted national runner-up finishes twice, in 1980 and 1986, and five national top-ten finishes as well as eight top-20 finishes. Emporia State has had several successful runners at the NCAA DII and MIAA competitions. Eight ESU athletes have earned cross country All-American honors during the 35-year history with Jonel Rossbach and Lesha Wood earning the highest individual national finishes, both placing fourth.