By Steve Holt, Opinion Editor
Perfect. And then some.
Cross country rules state that a team must place its top five runners in the race’s top five positions to earn a perfect 15 points, but the ACU men’s team took that a step further on Saturday. Wildcat runners filled the top seven spots at the Lone Star Conference Cross Country Championship in Ada, Okla., with just 20 seconds separating the winner from seventh place.
Senior Alfred Rugema came out of the pack of purple victorious, winning the eight-kilometer race in 25:39. Fresh-man Martin O’Kello was second (25:41), followed by Bernard Manira-kiza (25:42), Arthemon Sinda-yigaya (25:50) and John Kemboi (25:52). Juniors Jean-Marie Ndikumana and Nick Branen placed sixth and seventh, respectively, in 25:53 and 25:59.
“They did exactly what the plan was,” said Jon Murray, head cross country coach. “They ran as a total pack for the first four miles, then on the last mile they really let loose and went after it.”
Murray said the race gave the team experience in running as a pack and encouraging each other, and said that the team will use the technique to an extent at region Nov. 9.
Despite muddy conditions and a curvy course, all seven Wildcat runners ran the final mile in under five minutes, including a 4:35 split by Rugema.
“They just really dominated the competition,” Murray said.
The ACU women’s team won its second straight conference title, defeating Texas A&M-Kingsville 37-82. Senior Angie Waters was runner-up in the race (23:41), followed by senior Justine Nahimana (24:01) and sophomore Cassie Chaffin (24:07). Senior Amie Lindley showed vast improvement from previous meets, placing 10th in the race and earning all-conference honors. Waters, Nahimana and Chaffin were also named all-LSC.
“It’s a tribute to the work these ladies have done,” Murray said of the women’s team’s performance.
For the men, the championships was their 12th straight and the each active runner earned all-conference honors for placing in the top ten. This year was the first since the creation of the all-LSC team that seven of the ten all-conference spots have been filled by Wildcat runners.
Murray said this feat was made possible by good health and every runner meeting his potential.
“We’ve been blessed this year-no injuries,” Murray said. “That’s what has hurt us in the past.”
Both the men’s and the women’s teams will compete for region titles Nov. 9 at the South Central Region Champ-ionship in Warrensburg, Mo.
