Men's Cross Country Finishes 10th at NCAA Championships
11/24/2008 12:00:00 AM
Nov. 24, 2008
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - The No. 5 Alabama men's cross country team concluded it's season today at the NCAA Championships hosted by Indiana State University on the LaVern Gibson Championship Course.
On a cold and rainy day in Indiana where the temperatures fluctuated in the high 30s with winds up to 20 mph, the Crimson Tide finished 10th marking the first time Alabama has put together back-to-back top 10 finishes at the NCAA Championships.
"I think this was basically a solidifier that we've been a top 10 team all season long," head coach Harvey Glance said. "Even though these guys were off from the way we've been competing all year long, they still came out and did what they're supposed to do and competed from start to finish. The guys did a good job hanging in there and battling in difficult conditions and staying strong mentality. I'm real proud of having another top 10 finish in our program and capping off a great year. It's been one heck of a run."
The men were led by Emmanuel Bor who just missed All-American honors in 48th place with a time of 30:25.00. He was closely followed by Augustus Maiyo (57th) and Tyson David (63rd) who turned in times of 30:32.60 and 30:34.90, respectively. Abraham Kutingala (107th) and Andrew Kirwa (118th) rounded out the top five for the Tide crossing the line with times of 30:57.80 and 31:02.90, respectively. Zac Edwards finished with a time of 33:00.00 in 246th place.
"Honestly for us, it was pretty tough day," cross country coach Joe Walker said. "We really didn`t put it together the way we felt we would so we're disappointed and yet we know we had a great season. We didn't show what we thought we could show. No excuses though, it just didn't happen. From here, we've got to move forward and put this one behind us."
Galen Rupp, an Olympian and running for the No. 1-ranked Oregon Ducks, won his first individual national title covering the 10,000 meter course with a hasty time of 29:03.20. Rupp led his team to their second straight team NCAA Cross Country Championship title. Samuel Chelanga of Liberty and Rupp battled the entire race side by side with Rupp emerging victorious. Chelanga finished five seconds behind in second place with a time of 29:08.00.
In team scoring, Oregon successfully defended their 2007 title with 93 points. Iona finished in second place tallying 147 points. Stanford (227), Wisconsin (229) and Auburn (264) rounded out the top five teams, respectively. 31 teams competed today at the championships.
The Crimson Tide are SEC Champions, South Region Champions and now have a top 10 finish at the NCAA Championships to add to their season resume.
Alabama will start their indoor season on Jan. 17 when they travel to Lexington, Ky. for the Kentucky Invitational.
