Carroll College Athletics

A stocky 5’8” running back and defensive back from Harlowton, Bob Ortwein earned a rare first team All-Montana College Conference selection as a freshman in 1954. Described as “a flashy runner with deceptive change of pace,” he finished the season with 43 points, scoring seven touchdowns and a conversion run. After missing most of the next year with a broken hand, Ortwein came back his junior year and reached the end zone eight times, highlighted by a three-touchdown game (long of 59 yards) in the 25-19 win over Black Hills State.

In the 20-12 victory over league rival Eastern, Bob’s 53-yard jaunt to the House helped the Saints to an undefeated conference championship. He averaged 8.3 yards per carry that year, and his 809 rushing yards ranked no. 9 in the nation. Ortwein collected another first team All-MCC citation, and was named to the 1956 Catholic Small College All-American first team. He then transferred to Creighton University, leaving the Hilltop with 15 career TDs.