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 John Peterson
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Position:
Men's Track & Cross-Country |
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Experience:
1963-67 |
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Year Inducted:
1983 |
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One of best distance runners ever to wear Northern Illinois colors. Two-time All-America pick with regional and national reputation. Awarded eight NIU varsity letters in track (4) and cross-country (4). Competed at NCAA, Drake Relays, Central Collegiate Conference Championships, and U. S. Track & Field Federation meets. Made U. S. Olympic team trials (1968). Gained All-America status twice by winning NCAA College Division Championships outdoor three-mile run with meet-record 14:10.4 time (1966) and by placing third in NCAA College Division three-mile test with 14:23.2 clocking (1965). Won Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Association outdoor mile (4:11.5 timing in 1966) and two-mile (9:24.2 in 1965 and IIAC-record 9:12.4 in 1966) races. Established Northern Illinois outdoor standards in three-mile and six-mile (29:16.5) runs, set school indoor mark at two-mile (8:50.0) distance, plus notched NIU Grasstex track records for mile and two-mile. Took three-mile crown at Illinois Invitational (1967). Recorded second-place finish in six-mile run (29:29.0) at Kentucky Relays (1967). Voted team track captain and Most Valuable Performer (1967). Selected three-peat NIU MVP in cross-country (1964-66) and two-time team captain (1965-66). Set numerous course records at two-mile distance in x-country. Participated on IIAC outdoor championship team in track (1965), plus Illinois Intercollegiate Cross-Country Association kingpins (1963-64) and IIAC titlist (1964) in x-country. Lettered in five sports at Lockport Central High.
