Cross Country Set for SBC Championships

DENTON, Texas - The Middle Tennessee cross country teams will compete in the Sun Belt Championships Monday in Denton, Texas, with the men picked to finish third and the women projected to come in 11th, as voted on by league coaches. For the Blue Raiders, two-time defending champion Geoffrey Lagat is expected to pace the men's squad and contend for a third consecutive title. "Geoffrey [Lagat] is the defending champion. He has won it two years in a row. The biggest problem for him is that he is recovering from a stress fracture," Middle Tennessee head coach said. "He didn't get to do the work in the summer that he normally would. But he has improved every meet that we have had so far in terms of his performance. Hopefully, he can at least challenge for the lead, and possibly win it again." Hayes is also expecting solid finishes from senior Levi Sybert, junior Anthony McGary and Murfreesboro native Josh Carroll. "Levi [Sybert] has a chance to finish right at the top five, if not in it. He has run very well this fall. He has done a great job as a senior. He has really worked hard and has been very consistent," Hayes said. "Our third person is Anthony McGary. He has gotten better in every meet. He finished 20th last year. He has a chance to finish in the top 12 to 15. Josh Carroll is also going to help us." On the women's side, the Lady Raiders will try to improve on 11th-place finishes in the past two championships. "Unfortunately in our two years in the Sun Belt we have finished last. So we are hoping to improve on that. Our biggest thing is if we can get our top two or three to be solid then we have a chance to improve," Hayes said. Freshman Trisha DeValcourt, who was Middle Tennessee's top finisher in the UTC Opener with a time of 13:44, is expected to lead the Lady Raiders. The Pensacola, Fla., native was the team's top finisher in the first two meets of the season before suffering an injury. "Trisha has made a big difference. She is in pretty good shape. She has a chance to help us a lot and really be solid," Hayes stated. DeValcourt will be followed by freshman Chelsea Taylor and sophomore Erin Russell. "Chelsea Taylor has helped us a lot, and Erin Russell, who was our number one last year, is back this year," Hayes said. Race time is set for 10 a.m. at the North Texas Research Park in Denton.

Middle Tennessee State University Athletics

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