Oct. 27, 2008
CLINTON, MS - History was made Monday, Oct. 27, for Alabama State University as the men's and women's cross country teams won the 2008 Southwestern Athletic Conference championships.
It was the first time in more than 60 years that the ASU men's team won the SWAC championship, which was held at Choctaw Trails in Clinton, Miss. And it was the first time that both the men and women earned the title in the same year.
"Words can't explain how excited I am," said first-year head coach Ritchie Beene. "This just shows that our teams had the will to overcome all adversities that were presented to them this season and I give them all the credit for what they have done today."
The Lady Hornets placed three freshmen in the Top 10. Kesia Derilus (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.) was fifth with a time of 19:52.96, Lutrisha Altidor (Apopka, Fla.) was seventh (19:56.93) and Breana Kelly (Miami) finished eighth (20:06.39).
In the team results, Alabama State totaled 43 points while Jackson State finished with 60 points. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (66 points), Grambling State (82 points) and Prairie View A&M (134 points) rounded out the top five.
In men's action, Robert Gunn (25:37.42) and Jepth Kenei (25:47.75) finished fifth. The Hornets finished with 45 points while Grambling State was second with 51 points. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (65 points), Mississippi Valley State (80 points) and Jackson State (123 points) rounded out the top five.
"It was just a great overall team performance," Beene said. "Both teams have worked so hard, and assistant coaches Lashunda Jones, Michael Snapp and I am very proud of their efforts."
Coach Beene was named 2008 Coach of the Year.
ASU track program has now won 15 championships since 2000, with the women's team winning 12 of those titles, which include cross country, indoor and outdoor.