Thursday, September 08, 2011

MACON, Ga. – Kennesaw State kept its top spot in the Atlantic Sun Men's Cross Country Coaches poll, announced today by the league office, after one week of competition. USC Upstate jumped ahead of North Florida for third in the poll, while Lipscomb moved into sole possession of seventh place just ahead of FGCU, who was tied with the Bisons in the preseason vote. The Owls earned eight first-place votes.

Cross Country Notes:

• USC Upstate's Gilbert Kemboi - the A-Sun Men's Runner of the Week - won the Eye Opener Invitational for the third-straight season. Last year, Kemboi won four of the five races he competed in including the A-Sun Championship. He has eight first-place finishes in his three-year career. With the Runner of the Week honor, Kemboi moves into a tie with ETSU's Kenneth Rotich for most A-Sun weekly awards in a career.
• Hosting a cross country event for just the second time in school history, FGCU came away with a first-place finish in the FGCU Invitational with Argeo Cruz and Gilbert Chemaoi finishing first and second, respectively, in the four mile race. The Eagles finished ahead of Miami (2nd; 38), FIU (3rd; 55) and FAU (4th; 102).
• Three A-Sun teams competed at the Belmont Opener this past weekend including the host Bruins, Lipscomb and Kennesaw State. Belmont (2nd; 78) and Lipscomb (4th; 93) both posted top-five finishes, while Kennesaw State placed ninth in the season opener.