Optimist
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Features
    • Book Review
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Podcasts
    • Optimist Overtime
    • Top of the Key
  • Police Log
  • Print Edition
  • Projects
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
You are here: Home / Sports / Running toward another title

Running toward another title

September 2, 2009 by Jeff Craig

The last time the ACU men’s cross-country team failed to win the LSC title, the majority of this year’s freshman class wasn’t even born yet, the first George Bush was president, and Bryan Adams recorded the #1 song in America. All signs point to the 2009 team continuing that run of dominance.

Both the men’s and women’s teams put on a strong showing in 2008, capturing numerous team and individual awards, although neither team was able to capture a national title. Most notably, the men’s team captured its 18th Lone Star Conference title en route to a fourth place finish at the NCAA Championship in Slippery Rock, Pa. The women’s team captured fifth place at the LSC Championship, although failing to qualify for the championship race.

The Wildcats also won impressive individual titles in 2008. The men’s team had five runners named to the all-LSC team, more than any other team. Junior Daniel Maina was named the top men’s runner in the conference, while freshman phenomenon Charles White was named Rookie of the Year. Perhaps most notably, Julius Nyango was named the conference’s top academic runner, highlighting ACU’s demand for academic excellence among its athletes.

The women’s team also garnered some great awards. Winrose Karunde was named the LSC women’s Runner of the Year, and was joined on the all-LSC team by teammate Loice Cheboi. Karunde also joined Julius Nyango in being named women’s Academic Runner of the Year.

First-year head coach Sam Burroughs was named the LSC Coach of the Year and the NCAA South Region Coach of the Year in 2008. A season removed from a coaching position at Division I cross-country powerhouse Iona College in New York, Burroughs has high expectations for the Wildcats.

“The men’s team should be better than it was last year,” Burroughs said. “We lost some key players, but on paper we are stronger. The question now is can we run better in colder conditions for nationals in Indiana.”
Burroughs is excited about this season’s recruiting class; he thinks the squad has a good mix of talent, including two freshmen, Spencer Lynn from White Oak and William Pike from Newnan, Ga. Four transfers – Tim Sumerlin from Colorado State; Colby Delbene a junior college transfer from New York; Romain Rybicki from France; and Craig Peters from Great Britain – and four returning runners – Cleophas Tanui, Amos Sang, Daniel Maina and Jacob Schofield – complete the team.

“I’m looking forward to working with this diverse team. I mean, we have talent from Texas, New York, France, Africa, England and other places,” Burroughs said. “Somehow, we will take all of the pieces to form a masterpiece and make something great.”

Schofield echoed Burrough’s sentiments, saying this year’s team should be strong enough to contend for a title.

“Overall, I think our team will be better than last year’s team,” Schofield said. “Our transfers from Europe are really strong and fast. Our top three should be awesome with Cleophas, Amos and Daniel.”
The men’s and women’s teams will kick off the 2009 season in a 5K in Anchorage, Alaska, at the Great Alaska Stampede Sept. 5. Burroughs said the match presents his teams with a rare opportunity.

“I’m excited because this may be many of the runners’ only chance to visit Alaska,” Burroughs said. “It will be a good way for the team to kick off the season, because the weather will be very cold, which will hopefully better prepare us for the National Championship.”

The Wildcats will race in Abilene twice; one race will be hosted by ACU, the other by McMurry University. The teams will also race in Evansville, Ind., and Joplin, Mo., rounding out the team’s regular-season schedule. The 2009 LSC Championship will take place at West Texas A&M Oct. 24, and the NCAA Regional will be in Abilene Nov. 7. The Wildcats ultimately have their sights set on the NCAA National Cross-Country Championships in Evansville, Ind., Nov. 14.

Filed Under: Sports Tagged With: Cross Country

Other Sports:

  • Patterson’s brand of ACU football: Character. Discipline. Toughness.

  • Seven new roster additions highlight eventful postseason for Tanner and Wildcats

  • Baseball drops falls short in regular season ending series in Huntsville

About Jeff Craig

You are here: Home / Sports / Running toward another title

Other Sports:

  • Patterson’s brand of ACU football: Character. Discipline. Toughness.

  • Seven new roster additions highlight eventful postseason for Tanner and Wildcats

  • Baseball drops falls short in regular season ending series in Huntsville

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
4 May

"Maybe we just don’t care enough. But if we do start caring, and if we become the loudest fans in the WAC, let’s stick to supportive cheering." Read more from Guest Columnist Londyn Gray:
https://acuoptimist.com/2022/04/not-so-friendly-competition/

Reply on Twitter 1521918832738144257 Retweet on Twitter 1521918832738144257 1 Like on Twitter 1521918832738144257 8 Twitter 1521918832738144257
acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
3 May

Royce Clough and Jael Morel have been named as Mr. and Miss ACU for the class of 2022, a traditional honor voted on by the student body and awarded to two members of each graduating class.

Reply on Twitter 1521607087553458178 Retweet on Twitter 1521607087553458178 Like on Twitter 1521607087553458178 18 Twitter 1521607087553458178

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

3 months ago

The Optimist
"Maybe we just don’t care enough. But if we do start caring, and if we become the loudest fans in the WAC, let’s stick to supportive cheering." Read more from Guest Columnist Londyn Gray: ... See MoreSee Less

Not-so-friendly competition - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

BY: LONDYN GRAY “Number 18, you look like you don’t shower!” I chuckled and shrugged it off. “Londyn!” They had looked up the roster. “Do you even brush your teeth?” I laughed again, rol...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

3 months ago

The Optimist
Cullen Auditorium is expected to be handed over to the university in June 2022, alongside a name change that coupled with the renovation will create new future for the Cornerstone class, Chapel and the Department of Theatre. ... See MoreSee Less

Cullen Auditorium still set for a name change alongside renovations - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

Cullen Auditorium is expected to be handed over to the university in June 2022, alongside a name change that coupled with the renovation will create new future for the Cornerstone class, Chapel and th...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Women’s tournament run ended by first-round exit against UTRGV

The Wildcats’ Western Athletic Conference tournament run and season came to a ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 22. 2022
  • Optimist Newscast 2.16.2022
  • Optimist Newscast 2.9.2022

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • Weekly Ads
  • Classifieds

© 2022 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved