Cross Country Heads to FrontRunner Invitational

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee's cross country teams participate in their final regular season meet Saturday at the UTC FrontRunner Invitational in Chattanooga, Tenn. The women run at 2:30 p.m. CT (two miles) and the men at 3 p.m. (5K) at the Moccasin Bend Course. "That's why I like having the shorter race, that way we don't grind it out, don't wear out the runners, and build up their speed," head coach Dean Hayes said. "If the first part of the Sun Belt [Championships] goes fast, they know they can run it and still have something left at the end. This is a perfect setup. We don't need any more long hard races before the Sun Belt meet." Freshman Festus Chemaoi has been the men's top finisher in all three of his races thus far this fall, placing second at the Belmont Opener, fourth at the UTC Powerade Invitational and 23rd at the Greater Louisville Classic. He broke the school record for 8K at the Louisville race, finishing in 24:39.38 and earning Sun Belt Male Athlete of the Week honors. The Blue Raiders top four runners have all been excellent this fall, including sophomore William Songock and freshman Isaac Biwott and Julius Kirui. Sophomore Philip Benavides has maintained the fifth spot in the order, with freshman Adam Cunningham right behind. "The top four guys have all run very well all year and Philip has been very consistent in the fifth spot and that's what we've got to have," Hayes said For the women, sophomore Zamzam Sangau has continued her stellar work after a strong track season in the spring. Sangau has been the women's top finisher in all four races this fall and has placed in the Top 15 in all four meets, including a fourth-place showing at the UTC Powerade Invitational. Senior Marjorie Gombert, freshman Marla Bailey and juniors Ashley Comstock and Tiffany Sawyer give the Blue Raider women a formidable top five. "Zamzam has been consistent and I think she'll be even better over these last two races, and Marjorie has had a very good fall," Hayes said. "Marla has really stepped in and done well and Ashley Comstock has come back to where she was as a freshman. She has some confidence now and is really running better. Tiffany has also run well and gives us some consistency at the fifth spot." After Saturday's meet, Middle Tennessee will next run in the Sun Belt Championships on October 27 at Kereiakes Park in Bowling Green, Ky.

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