Pekin High School will celebrate a milestone in its athletic history this fall, honoring the members of its first cross country team during Homecoming festivities on Friday, September 18th, according to Pekin cross country head coach Davis Eidahl.
The 1964 boys cross country team — the first in Pekin history — will be recognized at halftime of the homecoming football game. Members of the team will be traveling from across the country to attend, with runners coming from Texas, California, Kansas, and Iowa for the occasion.
The 1964 team includes Bruce Dickens, Terry Letts, Donnie Greiner, Ronnie Neff, Alan Lowenberg, John Campbell, Craig Wonderlich, Charles Williams, Jerome Winn, David Dumont, Allen Rice, Tom Reed, and Steve Allen.
Those young men were pioneers, laying the foundation for what would become one of Iowa’s most successful cross country traditions. Their dedication and willingness to build something new established a standard of excellence that continues to inspire the Pekin program to this day. Eidahl put it simply: “While the championships and trophies are remarkable, the true legacy began with the first team in 1964. Their commitment and perseverance established a tradition that shaped the future of Pekin cross country. Every runner who has worn the cross country uniform since has benefited from the path they made.”
The success of those early boys teams was so significant that Pekin added a girls cross country program in 1966, expanding the program and creating opportunities for generations of young women to compete. Together, the boys and girls programs have built an extraordinary legacy that spans more than six decades.
Since 1964, the Pekin cross country program has compiled a remarkable record of success, combining the accomplishments of both the boys and girls teams. That includes 7 state championships, 8 state runner-up finishes, 38 district championships, 62 conference championships, and 95 state meet appearances — accomplishments that trace their roots back to that first group of runners in 1964.
Alumni, family members, current runners, and community members are all invited to join in celebrating the 1964 team and thanking them for helping build one of Pekin’s proudest athletic traditions.
