WSU legends Henry Rono, Gerry Lindgren and O'Dea HS Olympian Charlie Greene inducted into USTFCCCA HOF...

EUGENE--Washington State University All-Americans and record holders Henry Rono (photo courtesy WSU Athletics) and Gerry Lindgren, along with O'Dea High School legend Charlie Greene of the University of Nebraska, were inducted into the USTFCCCA Collegiate Athlete Hall of Fame Monday night at a ceremony at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Eugene as a prelude to the NCAA Division I Track & Field Championships that starts Wednesday at Hayward Field.

In a span of 81 days in 1978, Rono set world records in the 3000, 5000, 10000, and the 3000 steeplechase, the latter which was set at Husky Stadium at the Northwest Relays.

In just three years of varsity eligibility, Lindgren amassed 11 NCAA titles – the only two athletes with more titles all enjoyed four years of such eligibility. He won all but one NCAA race he lined up for, and that loss was to another Hall of Famer, Jim Ryun.

Greene, who passed away in March, claimed the first three 60-yard dash titles at the NCAA Indoor Championships, setting or tying the meet record each time. He followed in June each year (1965-67) with the NCAA Outdoor 100-yard crown – giving him a perfect record of six wins in six NCAA championship races. His final NCAA meet included a WR-tying time of 9.1 in the heats.

Neither Rono nor Lindgren were able to attend the ceremony, so retired Washington State coach John Chaplin accepted their Hall of Fame medals from current Cougar coach Wayne Phipps. Charlie's wife Linda accepted his award.

"As a freshman Henry (Rono) came into my office and made a plan to become the first runner to hold the world record in the 10,000m, the 5,000m and the steeplechase," said Chaplin. "He went out and was like a machine and just quietly did it bit by bit, one race at a time and I doubt that anyone again will ever hold those three Olympic records."

"[Gerry Lindgren] was a small, scrawny kid but he was really tough competitor," said Chaplin.  "Going into the finals his senior year he was hurt, and he goes out and he wins the 10k and then with a lap to go in the 5k, he was in fourth and somehow, someway managed still to go out and win his third title."

The trio were part of a group of 30 men and women who were chosen solely on their accomplishments while a collegiate athlete – displaying excellence in collegiate track & field and cross country at its very best.

The athletes selected to be in the first group inducted include: Jenny Barringer, Ralph Boston, Ron Delany, Harrison Dillard, Suzy Favor, Charlie Greene, Carlette Guidry, DeHart Hubbard, Vicki Huber, Jackie Johnson, Jackie Joyner, Sally Kipyego, Carl Lewis, Gerry Lindgren, Randy Matson, Ralph Metcalfe, Rodney Milburn, Bobby Morrow, Suleiman Nyambui, Billy Olson, Merlene Ottey, Jesse Owens, Mel Patton, Steve Prefontaine, Meg Ritchie, Henry Rono, Wilma Rudolph, Jim Ryun, Erick Walder and John Woodruff.

Eligibility for induction this year was limited to men who had completed their collegiate eligibility prior to 2000 and women prior to 2010.

NOTE: The USTFCCCA and the sports information offices of Washington State University and the University of Nebraska contributed to this report.

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