CLINTON, Miss.–The Alabama State cross country program pulled off the sweep capturing both the men’s and women’s titles at the 2008 Southwestern Athletic Conference Women Cross Country held at Choctaw Trails in Clinton, Mississippi.
CLINTON, Miss.–The Alabama State cross country program pulled off the sweep capturing both the men’s and women’s titles at the 2008 Southwestern Athletic Conference Women Cross Country held at Choctaw Trails in Clinton, Mississippi.
“Thanks to God for just protecting us all season. This has been a tough season for us. The student-athletes worked hard, and despite all the outside situations, the team stood together,” said Alabama State coach Ritchie Beene.
In the women’s race, the Lady Hornets placed three runners in the top ten places.
UAPB runner Vasity Chemweno (SWAC Freshman of the Year) won the individual title with a time of 18:22.98 while teammate Jackline Chumo finished third with a mark of 19:20.91. Jackson Stat’s Jemu Zarzar was second with a time of 18:39.57 with teammate Tunisia Millner was fourth with a mark of 19:30.86.
For Alabama State, Kesia Derilus was fifth with a time of 19:52.96 while Lutrisha Altidor was seventh (19:56.93) and Breanna Kelly finished eighth (20:06.39).
In the team results, Alabama State totaled 43 points while Jackson State finished with 60 points. University Arkansas-Pine Bluff (66 pts), Grambling State (82 pts) and Prairie View A&M (134 pts) rounded out the top five team finishes.
“Our cross country coach Michael Snapp and coach Lashunda Jones each did an excellent job this season with the athletes and their collective hard work has paid off,” said Dean.
In men’s action, UAPB’s Moses Alukunyang won the individual title with a time of 24:49.24 – 19 seconds off the course record. Grambling State’s Darwin Price (SWAC Freshman of the Year) was second with a mark of 25:32.84. Alabama State’s Robert Gunn (25:37.42) finished third while UAPB’s Brian Giken (25:42.30) was fourth and Alabama State’s Jepth Kenei (25:47.75 ) finished fifth.
In team action, the Hornets finished with 45 points while Grambling State was second with 51 points. University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff (65 pts), Mississippi Valley State (80 pts) and Jackson State (123 pts) rounded out the top five places.
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