Wednesday, September 09, 2009

MACON, Ga. - USC Upstate opened the 2009 cross country season with a pair of races in the opening week. Spartans’ freshman Gilbert Kemboi debuted in smashing fashion, winning both races and on Wednesday, he became the first USC Upstate male named an Atlantic Sun Runner of the Week winner, the conference office announced.

Kemboi won both races that he ran last week. The freshman won the 26th Annual Eye Opener Invitational men's collegiate race on Saturday after posting a time of 25:00. Kemboi's time of 25:00 set a meet record, besting the previous mark by 31 seconds, posted by Furman's Patrick Morgan in last year's meet. The nursing major from Eldoret, Kenya native also finished in first place at the Wofford Relays last Tuesday. Kemboi and teammate Cameron Thomas won the race after a time of 25:30.

The Spartans have this weekend off but return to competition on Saturday, September 18 at the Virginia Tech Invitational.

The Atlantic Sun Conference is an 11-member league committed to Building Winners for Life. The A-Sun stands for achievement with integrity in both the academic and athletic arenas, with a focus on the balance between the two for our student-athletes. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun boasts six of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun includes a blend of the most prestigious and 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

Terence Attema, Campbell (Jr. - Smithville, Ontario - Math) -- Won individual honors at the CU Cross Country Carnival Friday evening, the first individual win of his career. Attema won the 4000-meter men's race with a time of 12 minutes, 26.2 seconds, 4.2 seconds ahead of UNCW's Wil Zahorodny.

Nathan Haskins, Kennesaw State (Jr. - Thomasville, Ga. - Sport Management) -- Finished in second out of 52 runners at the JSU Struts Season Opener, hosted by Jacksonville State University. He completed the 5K course in 14:50. The Owls won the meet with a team score of 24.

Andrew Maedel, Jacksonville (Jr. - Orange Park, Fla. - Economics) -- Helped the Dolphins to a second place finish at the JU short course duals by winning the individual portion with a time of 17:38.24.