Kirksville, Mo. – Truman State University Athletics will honor two of the most successful teams in program history as the 1994 and 1995 men's cross country teams are inducted into the Truman State Athletics Hall of Fame during the Hall of Fame Weekend on January 9-10, 2025.
The teams will be recognized during halftime of the women's basketball game on Saturday, January 10, with tipoff scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
Both squads, competing as the Northeast Missouri State Bulldogs before the university's name change in 1996, achieved unprecedented success on the national stage by earning third-place finishes at the NCAA Division II National Championships in consecutive seasons.
1994: A Championship Foundation
The 1994 season marked a breakthrough year for the Bulldogs, who captured the MIAA Team Championship with 51 points. Three runners earned MIAA All-Conference honors at the conference meet: Thad Bartram (5th, 26:27), Jeremy Struttmann (8th, 26:57), and Jason Golonka (10th, 27:02). Head Coach Ed Schneider was named MIAA Coach of the Year for guiding the team to the conference title. Struttmann and Golonka also earned MIAA Academic All-Conference recognition.
The Bulldogs continued their strong performance at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional Championships, finishing third with 95 points. Bartram led the way in 7th place (33:30, 5:23 pace), followed by Struttmann in 13th (34:01, 5:28 pace) and Mark Miller in 19th (34:16, 5:31 pace).
The third-place regional finish propelled the team to the NCAA Division II National Championships, where they made history by finishing third in the nation with 195 points, trailing only Adams State (55 points) and Western State (73 points). Bartram and Struttmann earned All-America honors with their top-40 finishes, placing 24th (32:18) and 38th (32:50), respectively.
The 1994 squad also posted impressive results throughout the season, including a second-place finish at the Missouri Sport Shake Challenge, a Division II victory at the Jayhawk Invitational, second place at the Notre Dame Invitational, and fourth at the Missouri Southern Stampede.
1995: Regional Champions and National Contenders
Building on the previous year's success, the 1995 team elevated its performance even further. The Bulldogs finished second at the MIAA Championships with 41 points, placing three runners in the top 10: Bartram (5th, 25:05), Golonka (6th, 25:15), and Christian Blackburn (7th, 25:16). Five athletes—Mike Johnson, Sean Massa, Struttmann, Golonka, and Scott Poston—earned MIAA Academic All-Conference honors.
The team's defining achievement came at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional Championships, where the Bulldogs claimed the regional title with 53 points. Four runners finished in the top 12: Bartram (3rd, 31:44, 5:06 pace), Blackburn (10th, 32:13, 5:11 pace), Miller (11th, 32:16, 5:11 pace), and Golonka (12th, 32:22, 5:12 pace).
At the NCAA Division II National Championships, the Bulldogs again finished third as a team with 128 points, marking back-to-back podium finishes. The 1995 squad produced five All-Americans, all finishing in the top 40: Blackburn (14th, 31:33.39), Struttmann (20th, 31:50.52), Miller (28th, 32:08.48), Bartram (29th, 32:10.13), and Golonka (37th, 32:23.47).
A Legacy of Excellence
The back-to-back third-place national finishes represent the highest achievements in Truman State men's cross country history. Under Coach Schneider's leadership, these teams combined athletic excellence with academic distinction, embodying the values that define Truman State Athletics.
For more information about Hall of Fame Weekend activities, visit TrumanBulldogs.com or contact the Truman State Athletics Department.
