Wednesday, October 08, 2008

MACON, Ga. - Although only a junior, ETSU’s Kenneth Rotich tied a conference record for Runner of the Week awards as the Nairobi, Kenya native picked up his sixth such award after his performance at the Greater Louisville Classic, the conference office announced on Wednesday.

Rotich, an engineering technology major, continued to show why he is one the top cross country runners in the Atlantic Sun Conference at the 2008 Greater Louisville Classic from E.P. “Tom” Sawyer Park on Saturday morning. Rotich entered the race on a hot streak after winning back-to-back individual titles, but his bid for a third straight crown was snapped, as he finished sixth overall. The Kenyan sensation still had a strong showing, in such a dominate field of 294 runners, and ended the 8K race in 24:10. Rotich was the first runner from an Atlantic Sun school to cross the line.

The men’s team returns to action in two weeks. A few members of the Buccaneer men’s squad are expected to test the waters at the ISU Pre-National meet on Saturday, Oct. 18 in Terre Haute, Ind.; while the remaining team members will travel to Boone, N.C. for the Blue Ridge Mountain Open on Friday, Oct. 17.

The Atlantic Sun Conference is an 11-member league committed to Building Winners for Life, with a focus on academic and athletic integrity and a balance between the two for the student-athlete, and maintaining a high level of sportsmanship. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun encompasses six of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun consists of some of the most dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, Campbell University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State University, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina Upstate and Stetson University.

Other Top Performers

Scott Burley, Kennesaw State (Sr. - Brockville, Ontario - Chemistry) -- Led the Owls to a 12th place finish out of 23 teams in a highly competitive meet at Auburn on Saturday.

Caleb Swartz, Belmont (Sr. - Radcliff, Ky. - Physics) -- Finished 26th out of 294 runners at the Greater Louisville Cross Country Classic with a time of 24:38.19.