Joaquim Cruz, Oregon: Collegiate Athlete Hall of Fame, Class of 2025

Joaquim Cruz of Oregon was a dominating middle-distance runner at any distance, winning three NCAA DI Outdoor titles and never losing to another collegian. His 1983 victory in the 800 meters was in a meet record 1:44.91, while his 800/1500 double in 1984 helped the Ducks to its first men’s team title since 1965.

Internationally he was a force as well, earning bronze in the summer of his 1983 freshman year at the inaugural World Championships. His 1984 summer was incredible, highlighted by the Olympic gold medal. That was part of series of races over 19 days in which he recorded four of the eight fastest 800 times ever, with three of them sub-1:43 topped by a 1:41.77 that missed the world record by just 0.04 seconds.