YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- In the fall of 1983, Head Coach Bob Parks was tasked with producing another talented cross country team despite losing a handful of stellar runners. Additionally, the Mid-American Conference coaches picked his team to finish second overall (tied with Central Michigan). But Parks and his team did not shy away from the challenge.
At the annual EMU Open, against local schools and a few track clubs, Mark Smith paced all runners in 25:46 while teammate Scott Millis was third as an unattached runner. Eastern built upon its success moving forward as it defeated Ball State (18-45), Michigan State (23-35), and Western Michigan (22-39) in the span of a few weeks.