Oct. 28, 2010

SWAC Cross Country Championship Central

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Southwestern Athletic Conference kicks off the 2010 Fall Championships schedule on Sunday, October 31 with the Men's and Women's Cross Country Championship held at the Choctaw Running Trails in Clinton, Miss.

The women's 5K race will start at 9:00 a.m., followed by men's 8K competition at 10:15 am.

A year ago, the Arkansas-Pine Bluff men and women won team titles at the conference's championship meet in Baton Rouge, La.

The Golden Lions, behind individual champion Jimmy Oribo, totaled 36 points en route to the 2009 title. Oribo, who led four Arkansas-Pine Bluff runners in the top 10, finished the 8K course in 25:21.14.

On the women's side, the Lady Lions claimed the title after out-distancing defending champion Alabama State by 14 points. The Lady Hornets' Kesia Derilus won individual honors with a 19:47.56 showing in the 5K race.

Led by Grambling State's Darwin Price, Jr. and Alabama State's Jepthah Kenei, four All-SWAC men's honorees from last year return to compete in Clinton this year. Mississippi Valley State's Victor Bii posted a league's best 25:04 leading the SWAC in 8k competition this season.  

The women's race will feature seven All-SWAC honorees from last year returning to compete. Derilus leads the league with an 18:30.20 showing in the 5k race while Arkansas-Pine Bluff's Karla Atencio tops the 6k finishes with a 22:35 mark.