PRINCESS ANNE, Md., October 25, 2008- The University of Maryland Eastern Shore women’s team and Norfolk State men’s team captured the 2008 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Cross Country Championship titles Saturday morning at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in Princess Anne, Md.
The Lady Hawks of Maryland Eastern Shore won its second straight title and third overall. Tamica Thomas paced UMES with a time of 18:39.70, while three other Lady Hawks completed the race among the top 15 finishers.
Coppin State’s Naomi Tanui won the individual title and earned Outstanding Performer accolades. Tanui set a course record with a time of 17:35.35 topping the previous mark of 17:59.10 held by Norfolk State’s Jennifer Chichester.
“I was happy to run well, even though I knew I was winning, I had no idea that I was setting a course record, said Tanui.”
Maryland Eastern Shore head coach Ernest Barrett won Outstanding Coach accolades for the second consecutive year.
“It was a total team effort, explained Barrett.” “My team started off slow but picked it up toward the end of the season. It was great to see a strong team performance.” “I have to give Norfolk State credit because they ran a great race and it was great competition.”
In team results, Norfolk State was second (73), followed by Hampton (108), Howard (120) and Coppin State (123).
In men’s action, the Norfolk State Spartans won their eighth overall crown in nine years. Dominic Luka, the 2007 MEAC Outstanding Performer, paced the men’s team again this year and won the individual title with a time of 25:27.11 to earn Outstanding Performer accolades for the second straight year.
“My team took off together and everyone did very well, said Luka” “Throughout the season we have worked together and today it showed.”
Norfolk State’s Kenneth Giles earned Outstanding Coach honors for the eighth time in his career.
“When we finished second at last year’s championships, it hurt us, therefore we worked hard and trained hard and this championship was a fitting way to send our three seniors out, said Giles.”
Second place accolades went to Maryland Eastern Shore (82), Delaware State was third (98) followed by Howard (107) and Florida A&M (117).
-MEAC Cross Country Scores, All-MEAC Top 15 Attached-
2008 MEAC Cross County Women’s Team Results
1. Maryland Eastern Shore 55
2. Norfolk State 73
3. Hampton 108
4. Howard 120
5. Coppin State 123
6. Morgan State 151
7. Delaware State 153
8. Florida A&M 180
9. South Carolina State 227
10. North Carolina A&T 239
11. Bethune Cookman 274
Women’s All-MEAC Top 15
1. Naomi Tanui Coppin State 17:35.35
2. Krystle Medlin Hampton 17:53.04
3. Ashley Hodges Howard 17:58.07
4. Jennifer Chichester Norfolk State 18:05.05
5. Mallory Ross Delaware State 18:07.07
6. Brittney Stewart South Carolina State 18:12.11
7. Tamica Thomas Maryland Eastern Shore 18:39.70
8. Celia Whyte Norfolk State 18:41.40
9. Tia Miles Norfolk State 18:45.05
10. Eunice Jones Maryland Eastern Shore 18:52.49
11. Merrecia James Maryland Eastern Shore 18:57.57
12. Jasmin Branch Hampton University 19:00.72
13. Jahlisa Smith Hampton 19:02.80
14. Alexandria Condell Bethune-Cookman 19:07.23
15. Vivian McCollum Morgan State 19:10.31
2008 MEAC Cross Country Men’s Team Results
1. Norfolk State 27
2. Maryland Eastern Shore 82
3. Delaware State 98
4. Howard 107
5. Florida A&M 117
6. North Carolina A&T State 156
7. Hampton 162
8. Coppin State 175
9. Morgan State 188
10. South Carolina State 295
11. Bethune Cookman 316
Men’s All-MEAC Top 15
1. Dominic Luka Norfolk State 25:27.11
2. Peter Sang Maryland Eastern Shore 25:40.47
3. Amon Kiprotich Maryland Eastern Shore 25:5527
4. Josef Tessema Norfolk State 25:59.46
5. Jonathan Soimo Norfolk State 25:59.88
6. Daquam Lee Florida A&M 26:12.36
7. Hillary Cheruiyot Norfolk State 26:19.46
8. Shuaib Winters Florida A&M 26:28.23
9. Thurman Sanders Howard 26:35.74
10. Keenan Harris Norfolk State 26:59.54
11. Dale Dunn Coppin State 27:01.13
12. Kelli Thibou Delaware State 27:09.10
13. Richard Williams Howard 27:21.44
14. Rashaad Burnett North Carolina A&T 27:22994
15. Shadrack Maritim Maryland Eastern Shore 27:38.85
