Wolfpackers Prominent on ACC 50th Anniversary Cross Country Team
7/30/2002 12:00:00 AM | Cross Country
July 30, 2002
The Atlantic Coast Conference's 50th Anniversary Men's Cross Country Team was announced Tuesday by Commissioner John Swofford. The 54-member team was voted on by the nine league institutions as decided by the league's 50th Anniversary Committee.
NC State led all league schools with 13 members on the Golden Anniversary team while North Carolina was second with 12 honorees. Clemson had 10 runners selected, followed by Wake Forest (7), Duke (6), Maryland (3), Virginia (2) and Georgia Tech with one.
Athletes from current and former NC State rosters include:
Abdul Alzindani 1996-1999 Dearborn, Mich.
Chris Dugan 1997-2001 Scottsdale, Pa.
Steve Francis 1977-1980 Pough Keepsie Falls, N.Y.
Bob Henes 1986-1990 Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Dave Honea 1987-1991 Candler, N.C.
Pat Joyce 1994-1998 Buffalo Grove, Ill.
Pat Piper 1984-1987 Hopkinton, N.H.
Chan Pons 1995-1999 Franklin, N.C.
Corby Pons 1995-1999 Franklin, N.C.
Tony Riley 1992-1995 Laguna Pueblo, N.M.
Brendan Rodgers 1995-1999 Fairfax, Va.Andy Smith 2000-pres. Hudson, Ohio
Jim Wilkins 1970-1973 Roxboro, N.C.
An impressive 12 of the 13 honored to the team received the All-America notice during their tenure at NC State. Steve Francis was the Wolfpack's first cross country All-American in 1980.
NC State cross country has dominated the ACC since its introduction as a league sport, setting a precedent for teams to come. NC State was crowned as the league's first champion in 1953, and has successfully defended the title on nine separate occasions.
The men's program has produced 84 All-ACC runners over the course of the 50-year existence of the ACC. In the last 22 years, NC State has won the team championship eight times and produced the individual champion seven times, with last year's team continuing the tradition.
Head Coach Rollie Geiger is in his 21st year at the helm of the dynasty.
