Hall of Fame
The 1964 Cross Country Team was crowned with an All-Ohio Championship title and earned one of three MAC titles in program history alongside the 1962 and 1996 teams. The Bobcats qualified for the 1964 NCAA championships where Elmore "Mo" Banton became the first and only Bobcat to win the tournament, posting a time of 20:07.5. Ohio was represented by six other runners—Lawrence Smith, Robert Crooks, Darnell Mitchell, John E. Blair, Richard Alderfer and Alex C. Jamieson—with Smith and Crooks finishing in the top 25. As a team, Ohio earned the bronze medal. Banton remains in the record books to this day, holding the best time at four miles (1964; 18:46). He was also a MAC Champion in 1965 and is a two-time All-Ohio Champion and All-American (1964, 1965). In 1980, Banton returned to his alma mater as the head coach for men's cross country and track and field, eventually taking over the women's programs as well. In the 23 years he coached at Ohio, Banton guided his teams to 10 MAC Championships, coached four All-Americans, and earned 20 Coach of the Year awards from various institutions and governing bodies.Â
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