Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Macon, Ga. – The fall is upon us, and so is the 2006 Atlantic Sun Cross Country Championship. This year's event will be hosted on the campus of Gardner-Webb, Saturday, Oct. 28. The women’s 5K race will kick off the event at 9:00 am on the Gardner-Webb Cross Country Course. Last season, newcomer Kennesaw State swiped the team title from Belmont, who had won the past four consecutive conference titles, yet has never had an individual champion.

Belmont is favored once again to take the title, after dominating the cross country coaches poll this season. With the loss of top runner Patrina Hayes, Kennesaw State is predicted to finish third this season behind an up-and-coming UNF squad. The Ospreys' Sarah Coghlan was named Runner of the Week twice this season and currently holds the fastest time in the league with 17:14.52. Teammate Amanda Davey isn't far behind Coghlan. She holds the second fastest time at 17:22.31.

Runner of the Year Alicia Valtin is back for her final championship after shattering course and meet records at the 2005 meet. The Campbell senior has earned Runner of the Week five times during her career and is looking for back-to-back titles.

The men take to the course at 10 am for the 8K race. Belmont, the odds-on favorite and champion of the last three meets, is vying for its fourth title. Leading the charge for the Bruins are 2005 Runner of the Year Brad Polley, Kipkosgei Magut, Ryan Snellen, Jacob Buckman and Caleb Swartz. Magut, Snellen and Buckman each rank among the top five fastest times in the league.

After finishing second at last year's meet, ETSU is looking to unseat the reigning champion. Sophomore Michael Deren leads the Bucs and has the league's fourth fastest time of 24:53. Deren and the Bucs won a 6K race on the Gardner-Webb Course earlier this season.

Also in the hunt for its first A-Sun title will be Kennesaw State. The Owls took second in on the host course on Oct. 6 and sophomore Scott Burley earned Runner of the Week honors after posting the league's fastest time at the Auburn Invitational. Burley finished ninth overall with a time of 24:16.90.

The women’s race will follow at around 10:30 am with Belmont looking to match the conference record with their fifth consecutive title. The Bruins have won each meet since joining the A-Sun in 2001 yet have never boasted an individual champion.

Following both races, the Runner of the Year, Freshman of the Year, Coach of the Year, All-Atlantic Sun and A-Sun All-Freshman awards will be announced.