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The Central State cross country teams of 1960 & 1962 brought home the first two national titles in school history. A small but powerful squad, the teams went undefeated in dual meets on their way to earning the '60 and "62 NCAA College Division Cross Country Championships.
CSU won the 1960 title with a low score of 72 points, topping a 109 point performance from second place finisher Mankato State. The title was earned through a tremendous team effort led by Leslie Hegedus. Hegedus finished with a time of 20:51 followed by Josh Ruga's 20:56. Choice Phillips finished right behind Ruga with a pace of 20:58. With three men finishing under 21 minutes, Central State accomplished a rare feat for small college at the time.
Phillips, Hegedus and Nate Foster, key competitors on the '60 title team, continued their dominance while leading CSU to its second title in three years in 1962. Hegedus was the first individual to cross the finish line with a time of 19:59.1. Central State became the first team to win the NCAA College Division title twice while Hegedus became the first individual national winner from CSU.
Coach David Youngblade, who entered the CSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993, became the first coach in school history to win a national title. He also coached the mile relay team which broke a world indoor record in 1962 at the Mason-Dixon Games in Louisville, Kentucky.
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