1968 Cross Country

Head Coach: Chuck Rohe
Assistant Coach: Thad Talley
Regular Season:  6 Wins, 0 Losses
Callaway Gardens Invitational: Champions
NCAA Region Three: Champions
SEC: Champions
NCAA:  17th
Members of the Tennessee’s 1968 cross country team were Captain Ken Rowlett, David Calvert, James Craig, Dick Fairbanks, Allen Fletcher, Bob Halliburton, Audry Hardy, Gary Hiscock, Larry Kelly, Dickie Kleier, Fred Marjenhoff, Tony Masi, Steve Nelson, Sam Rutherford, Owen Self, Jim Smeltzer, Butch Stewart, Bill Villeneuve, and Gordon Wilson.
During the regular season the 1968 Volunteers defeated Ohio, Ohio State, Air Force Academy, Alabama, East Tennessee State, and the Quantico Marines. In major meets Tennessee won the Callaway Gardens Invitational, the NCAA Region Three Meet, and the SEC Cross Country Championships. 
Ken Rowlett remembers the NCAA Region Three Meet as follows:
The NCAA East Regional was a most memorable trip. We all ran together in tight groups of 2 or 3, and we strategized as we ran. I coached the guys along and we picked off runners along the way to victory. Our talking during the race gave us advantage and psyched out other teams.   
 
The Vols also won the 1968 SEC cross country meet, which was held in Birmingham, Alabama, on a 4.065 mile course. Tennessee finishers were as follows:
1968 CROSS COUNTRY
Place Name Time
1 Owen Self 18:39.90
3 Ken Rowlett 18:55
7 Steve Nelson 19:22
9 David Calvert 19:33
10 Dickie Kleier 19:35
11 Sam Rutherford 19:40
13 Gordon Wilson 19:46
Tennessee competed in the 1968 NCAA Cross Country Championships on a windy November day in the Bronx, New York City, New York, and finished in 17th place.  Places and times for Vol finishers were as follows: 
1968 CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
Place Name Time
41 Owen Self 30:32
129 David Calvert 31:54
131 Dickie Kleier 31:56
133 Steve Nelson 31.58
140 Ken Rowlett 32:05
157 Sam Rutherford 32:20
207 Gordon Wilson 34:03
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