College, often running bare foot. The discipline of running and the endurance it required was a great
asset in New Guinea, where he had to take difficult hikes to various villages.
In 1952 Walt placed 6th in the Loyola Invitational Cross Country meet and won a medal. He also won a
silver medal for 2nd place in the two-mile run at the 1953 Central Association A.A.U. Championships. At
one time, his running coach, Gil Dodds, thought Walt had the ability to be a national champion. In his
senior year at Wheaton, Walt participated in a national collegiate four-mile meet. While he didn’t win
that race, Dodds described Walt as having something deep inside that seemed natural.
Wheaton College cross country runners. (Photo Courtesy of Norman Steinkraus)
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