Date Posted: 10/17/2007

MACON, Ga. – Dating back five weeks, ETSU competed in three cross country meets. On Wednesday of the subsequent week, sophomore Kenneth Rotich won the conference’s Runner of the Week award. It started four weeks ago when he won his first award after he won his first collegiate race at the Winthop/Asics Invitational. Two weeks ago, he won his second award after running the fastest 8K time in the A-Sun to that point at the Greater Louisville Classic. On Saturday, Rotich won his second individual title of the fall, the Furman Invitational, en route to yet another Runner of the Week accolade. In the process he joined Belmont’s William Kemey as the only two runners in the seven-year history of Atlantic Sun Runner of the Week awards to win three in a single season. Kemey won his three awards in 2001. Coincidentally, it was six years ago today that Kemey won his third award of that season.

Rotich helped the Buccaneers win its second team title of 2007 by winning the individual title, bettering a field of 148. ETSU also won a team title at the Winthrop/Asics Invitational in September. On Saturday, the Buccaneers beat out 17 other teams to take home the Furman Invitational. In addition to Rotich, the Bucs had two additional runners place in the top-10. As a team the Bucs finished with 40 points and blew away Charlotte (83 points) and Winthrop (91 points) for the crown. Rounding out the top-five was Marshall (105 points) and host Furman with 114 points. Rotich beat out teammate Michael Deren (Blasdell, N.Y.) by 10 seconds for the individual title.

Rotich, ETSU and the rest of the Atlantic Sun, with the exception of Mercer will take this weekend off in preparation for the Atlantic Sun Championship. The meet contested in Nashville, Tenn. will be hosted by Lipscomb on October 27.

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

Lucas McAneney, GWU (Sr. - North Bay, Ontario - Health & Wellness) -- Placed 34th out of 218 in a solid time of 25:34; Averaged a 5:09 mile at the Blue Ridge Open.

Peikko Solla, KSU (So. - Helsinki, Finland - Business) -- Finished fourth at JSU Foothills Invitational in a time of 26:03.8; Fourth time he was the leading runner for KSU this season.

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