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Coach Jim Crakes’s Swedish connections have included many fine student athletes. The most outstanding distance runner was undoubtedly Tomas Andersson. He immediately made his prowess known by winning the District Three Championship in the 5000m and 10000m races his freshman year. He went on to four consecutive district championships in the 10000m and missed only 1984 in the 5000m. In cross country he was a District Three Champion in 1983 and 1984. He took 11th place in the NAIA National Cross Country Championship to be named All-American in ‘84. That same year he was also an Academic All-American. In track and field he won seven District Three Championship races and he was the 1985 NAIA Champion in the 10000m again achieving both Performing and Academic All-American. He still retains the school record in the 10000m.
“Tomas Andersson certainly portrays the highest standard in modeling what the college hopes for in all of our graduates,” said Coach Crakes.
Dr. Leon Kugler added: “He put himself in a position to win because along the way he made good choices about his attitude and the direction his life would take. Tomas is a champion.”
Andersson went on to marry his college sweetheart, Peggy Vonesh, also a runner. They moved to Sweden where they live with their three children: Jacob, Michelle and Kevin.
The award for Outstanding Achievement by an Athlete was presented by Jim Bond and accepted by Coach Crakes.
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