Mark Elliston from McLoud was OBU's first national champion in the decathlon, winning the title at the 1986 NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships with 7023 points.

In addition to the All-America recognition in outdoor track, he is a two-time indoor track All-American, earning this in the high jump in 1983 and 1986.

He holds OBU's record in the high jump, 7-0.5.

Elliston is head coach of the women's indoor and outdoor track and field program at Elon University in North Carolina. He previously served for 17 years as the head track and field coach for both men's and women's programs at Lock Haven University.