Francis Marion University athletic officials have announced thatformer Patriot cross country and track and field runnerMark Bedenbaugh and former tennis playerSam Lundkvist will be the newest inductees intothe FMU Athletic Hall of Fame on March 1, 2003.
Bedenbaugh was a member of both the Patriotcross country and track and field squads from 1981 to 1985. He earned the B.S. degree in political science in 1986 and theM.Ed. degree in 1990. He currently resides in West Columbiaand teaches at Pelion High School, where he is head coach of thePanthers' highly successful cross country and track and fieldprograms. He has also been a part owner of a running store,Strictly Running Inc.
As a member of the Francis Marion cross country team, hecaptured the NAIA District Six cross country individual title andwas named his team's most valuable player in 1983 and 1984. Atwo-time All-District runner, he ran in three NAIA nationalchampionship meets and helped lead the Patriots to district teamtitles in 1982 and 1984.
For many years, he held the school's five-mile course record of25:01 set as a senior in 1984.
As a member of the track and field team, he earned All-Districthonors three times and ended his career seventh on the Patriots'all-time points list with 304.50. He earned All-Districthonors three times on the track. He helped the Patriots tofour district team titles, and he ran the 800-meters at the 1984NAIA national meet. The 1983 mile relay team, that he was amember of, still owns the school record with a time of 3:22.91.
He also served as an assistant cross country coach for thePatriots in the fall of 1985. At Pelion, his squads have wonseveral state championships and numerous conference crowns. He has garnered several state coach of the year awards.
Still an active runner, he is president of the Elite TrainingClub. He is a USA Track and Field certified official,director of the Strictly Running Racing Team, and race director ofthe Hot Summer's Night 5,000-meter race.
