Date Posted: 9/19/2007

MACON, Ga. – On International Talk Like a Pirate Day, it only seems appropriate that a Buccaneer be honored, but ETSU’s Kenneth Rotich’s performance this weekend at the Winthrop/Asics Invitational made him the runaway choice as the Atlantic Sun’s male Runner of the Week, announced on Wednesday by the conference office.

In its first week as the No. 2 ranked team in the Atlantic Sun, the ETSU men’s cross country team backed up the rating, winning the Winthrop/Asics Invitational on Saturday morning at the Winthrop Coliseum and Farm. Rotich, a sophomore from Nairobi, Kenya, led the horde of Bucs with a first-place finish in the Gold Division (all Division I teams). Five Buccaneers finished in the top 10 of the 8K event as they edged out the host, Winthrop, by eight points. The individual win was the first of Rotich’s career. Rotich, a sport management major, did not run in the opening meet of the season, but posted the fastest 8K time in the Atlantic Sun through the first three weeks of the season with his 25:13.

The ETSU cross country team will now have two weeks off before its next competition. The Buccaneers will next race on Saturday, September 29 when they travel to Kentucky in the 6th Annual Greater Louisville Classic.

The Atlantic Sun Conference announces the Athlete of the Week every Wednesday during the 2007 cross country season.

The Atlantic Sun Conference is a 12-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, Gardner-Webb 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

Nathan Haskins, KSU (So. - Thomasville, Ga. - Sports Management) -- Placed 6th out of 170 at the Georgia State Invitational; completed 8K race in 27:13.26; first time finishing as leading runner for KSU.

Lucas McAneney, GWU (Sr. - North Bay, Ontario - Health & Wellness) -- Took home fifth place at the Big South Preview after finishing in 27:03.9 on the 8K course.

Verrelle Wyatt, CAM (Jr. - Copley, Ohio - Kinesiology) -- Nearly won third straight individual title, but finished in second; helped Campbell to its third consecutive team title, taking the Longwood Invitational.

Related Links:
 • A-Sun Men's Cross Country