Paul Gilles was a three-time national qualifier in the steeplechase and earned All-America honors by finishing second during the 1997 national championship. 

After WIAC runner-up finishes in 1996 and 1997, Gilles was the 1998 conference steeplechase champion and, upon induction, holds the school record in the event in a time of 8:56.34.

A leader on the school’s cross country team, Gilles qualified individually to the 1996 NCAA Championship, placing 48th of more than 300 runners.  Gilles was a two-time All-WIAC cross country honoree, earning second team honors in 1995 and 1997.