Oct. 27, 2006

Cary, N.C. - Bethune-Cookman College women's and men's cross country wrapped up the 2006 season with a trip to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Championships on Friday, garnering eighth place finishes for both squads. The event was hosted at SAS Park in Cary, North Carolina, consisting of a 5k event.

On the women's side, the Wildcats were led by Valonne Givens with a 15th place showing as she registered a time of 19:42.6 for the annual event. Behind her was teammate Tiffany Gordon with a season-best time of 20:14.5 (28th). Other notable performers for the B-CC women's squad were Tenisha Bryan and Danielle Ephraim.

Hampton University took the crown for this year, while Jessica Neal of Howard took home the individual best time with a mark of 17:47.3 overall. Maryland-Eastern Shore's Merrecia James, with a time of 17:59.7, took second place for the event. The Pirates of Hampton (63) were 30 points ahead of Howard (93) while the battle for third and fourth place was very close. Norfolk State took third with 95 points, and Morgan State was fourth with 96 points.

"I'm happy with the effort of all the young women on this team as each was able to collect a season-best performance, and four recorded personal best marks," commented Bethune-Cookman first-year head coach Garfield Ellenwood.

In the men's action, Norfolk State took home the overall title, led behind David Kembol and teammate Dominic Luka. Kembol led all performers with a time of 24:29.3, and Luka finished just seconds behind his fellow Spartan with a time of 25 minutes flat.

For the `Cats, junior Evan Kiburu finished as the highest B-CC runner with a mark of 28:05.4 and a 21st place performance. The second-highest Wildcat was Kiptoo Rotich with a time of 28:47.5 and a 32nd place showing overall. Also running strong for the `Cats were Kyle Dillet and Stanley Saladin.

"I am happy that the men were able to finish up strong at the end of the year," expressed Ellenwood. "There were no personal bests or season bests today, but they ran good and performed strong against some very good competition."

Ellenwood continued to say that he is very impressed by the team this year as the squads both competed very well in a short year.

"They finished ahead of where they were supposed to be this year, especially with a short season," commented Ellenwood. "We are certainly on the road for success in the near future as we continue down the path towards greatness."

For more information on this event/championships and all other MEAC cross country events throughout the fall season, please log on to www.MEACsports.com, or call the Bethune-Cookman College Office of Sports Information at (386) 481-2206.