The
1972 men's cross country team was inducted into the Malone University Athletics Hall of Fame as the winner of the newly created Pioneer Championship Award.
The Pioneer Championship Award is given to an entire team in honor and recognition of the anniversary of a championship season accomplishment.
2022 marks the 50 th anniversary of the Pioneers capturing the program's first NAIA national championship.
In 1972 Malone won all 13 meets that they participated in, and advanced once again to the NAIA national meet. At that national meet the Pioneers placed five runners inside the top-30 overall, with all five of them finishing inside the top-25 among runners from qualifying teams.
In the end, finishing with 92 points, the Pioneers captured the school's first team national title in any sport.
The members of the 1972 Malone Men's Cross Country Team:
Scott Armstrong '73
Dave Bender '75
Terry Dugan '75
Larry Durstine '73
Burke Ensign '75
Bob Gatrell '77
Rick Horton '75
Doug Nevius '75
Jesse Parzero '73
Bill Scholl '73
Wendell Skelley '76
Gary Thaxton '76
Ric Thompson '75
Gene Wise '76
Jack Hazen (Head Coach)
Paul Talkington (Assistant Coach)
Joe Harding '72 (Athletic Trainer)
Howie Nelson '75 (Sports Information)
