RMAC Hall of Fame

1969 Fort Hays State Men's Cross Country

In the fall of 1969, Fort Hays State University won the school's fourth men's cross country national title. The Tigers had won the national title in 1963, 1965 and 1968 prior to capping off the decade with yet another title, their first as an RMAC member. Larbi Oukada led FHSU with a second place finish as the Tigers outdistanced Eastern Michigan (now an NCAA I institution) by a final of 102-111. Oukada was joined by teammates Steve Boehmer, Herb Camien, Alvin Penka, Gerald Shelly and Dennis Wheatcroft.  At the end of the 1960's, FHSU was tied with Emporia State (Kan.) as the winningest NAIA program in terms of national titles. With four titles, FHSU is still one of only five teams with four or more national titles in NAIA history. Head coach Alex Francis was named the NAIA National Coach of the Year for the fourth time following the 1969 season.