Sunday, November 5, 2000

Wildcats claim regional cross countrychampionship

From staff reports

COMMERCE — The Abilene Christian University men’s cross country team took the top three places and had five runners finish in the top seven to easily win the NCAA Division II South Central Region championship Saturday on the Texas A&M-Commerce campus.

The Wildcats had 19 points, while Missouri Southern was second with 80 points.

It was the first regional cross country championship in school history for the Wildcats, who ranked No. 1 in the nation. The victory qualifies ACU for the NCAA Division II national meet to be held Nov. 18 in Pomona, Calif.

ACU freshman Justine Nahimana also qualified for the national meet by placing second in the women’s 6,000-meter race. Nahimana ran a 24:06.52 to finish runner-up to Jennette Mott of Pittsburg State.

ACU’s Alfred Rugema ran away with the men’s individual championship, covering the 10,000-meter course in 32:39.92 in extremely muddy conditions. John Kemboi of ACU was second in 33:10.96 and teammate Gilbert Tuhabonye of ACU third in 33:11.62.

“We accomplished everything we wanted to with a dominating performance by our men and Justine qualifying, too,” said ACU coach Jon Murray. “And we got out healthy. That was important with it being so cold and muddy.”

Men

Team standings — 1. Abilene Christian 19; 2. Missouri Southern 80; 3. Truman state 81; 4. Central Missouri State 86; 5. Pittsburg State 121; 6. Emporia State 189; 7. Northwester Missouri State 220;8. Angelo State 224; 9. Missouri-Rolla 264; 10. Southwest Baptist 274; 11. Texas A&M-Commerce 280; 12. Central Oklahoma 299

ACU — 1. Alfred Rugema 32:39.92; 2. John Kemboi 33:10.96; 3. Gilbert Tuhabonye 33:11.62; 6. Arthemon Sindayigaya 33:47.35; 7. Jean-Marie Ndikumana 33:51.16; 12. Francis Kimeli 34:36; 27. Nick Branen 35:19.38

Women

Team standings — 1. Central Missouri State 52; 2. Pittsburg State 78; 3. Truman State 87; 4. Emporia State 120; 5. Missouri Southern 136; 6. Southeastern Oklahoma 144; 7. Southwest baptist 166; 8. Central Oklahoma 184; 9. Abilene Christian 227; 10. Northwest Missouri State 245; 11. Missouri-Rolla 265; 12. Incarnate Word 337

ACU — 2. Justine Nahimana 24:06.52; 37. Ami Lindley 26:21.47; 59. Tara Jernigan 27:47.45; 66. Jazmine Caple 28:12.47; 80. Jody Pelletier 29:58.32; 81. Rachel Fraijo 30:07.33; 85. Jordan Rawls 31:08.24

Tarleton State — 60. Amanda Renshaw 27:47.76