Rochester Institute of Technology Athletics

When Keith Wolling transferred to RIT from State University of New York (SUNY) College at Morrisville, he wasted little time picking up where he left off. At Morrisville, Wolling had hurdled his way to regional and eastern championships en route to qualifying for the junior college nationals. As a RIT junior, the West Islip, N.Y. native became the Institute’s first two-time All-American. Competing in the 1974 NCAA championships, Wolling captured runner-up honors in the 440-yard intermediate hurdles (: 53.7 seconds) and placed fifth in the 120-yard high hurdles (: 14.5). He qualified for the NCAA’s the following year in both events and advanced to the semifinals in the high hurdles. In the intermediate hurdles, he failed to reach the finals when he tripped over the third obstacle. It was the first time he had ever fallen during college or high school competition. Wolling was unbeatable in dual meet competition, winning every hurdle race during his two-year stint with the Tigers. RIT was 15-0 during that same span. Additionally, he was a four-time Upper New York State and Empire Athletic Association (formerly Independent College Athletic Conference) hurdle champion. He still holds four school hurdle marks and combined with teammate Mark Stebbins, Randy Formmater and Billy Newsome to set the 880-yard relay record. Stebbins (two-time national champion and an RIT Hall of Fame) and Newsome were also All-Americans.