He then attended the University of Arizona where he competed in track and field and joined the Beta Iota chapter of Theta Chi fraternity.

He began running the 3000 meter steeplechase in his senior year and finished second in that event at the National AAU championship.

[2] He graduated from the university in 1959 with an undergraduate degree[2] after being named the "outstanding senior athlete" of the year.

He felt his fitness was strong enough that he and training partner Billy Mills thought they'd take a shot at an Olympic marathon qualifier at the trials held in Alamosa, Colorado.

In that race, he was leading with about 300 Meters to go before falling victim to Mexico City's altitude and "hitting the wall".

He led his teams to a total of fourteen championships, including the 1988 national title in cross country.