Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Saturday, November 1
Bowling Green, Ky.
10:00 AM
Middle Tennessee
vs
Sun Belt Championships
Big finish projected for Blue Raiders XC
10/30/2008 11:46:00 AM | Track & Field/Cross Country
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - With the regular Cross Country season in the books, the Blue Raiders men's and women's team head to Bowling Green, Ky., for the Sun Belt Conference Championship on Saturday as projected champions.
In the Sun Belt Conference coaches projection poll the Blue Raiders predicted to finish first on the men's side and second for the women. With lofty expectations in front of them, the team is going into the meet poised to finish a strong regular season.
This season has included team wins for both the men and women, a handful of top five finishes, and two runner of the week honors for junior Zamzam Sangau has put Hall of Fame coach Dean Hayes' teams in an excellent position for a shot at the schools first ever team titles in both men's and women's cross country.
"Overall we've done well. In the past we've had a strong men's team or strong women's team. But this is the first time in awhile I feel both teams can challenge," Hayes said.
The Blue Raiders are led by their star runners William Songock and Sangau. Songock, winner of the 5,000 meters at last springs Sun Belt Conference outdoor championship, has taken this momentum and had an outstanding junior cross country campaign.
"The confidence from last spring's Sun Belt outdoor track championship has him a mentally stronger which is key," said Hayes.
Sangau, the current Sun Belt Runner of the week, is coming off her second win this season and looks to add a third win this weekend in Bowling Green. At last year's Sun Belt Cross Country Championship Zamzam finished 3rd overall leading the women to a third place finish as team.
Although Zamzam has been exceptional this fall season, Coach Hayes commented he feels she has yet to lay everything on the line at a race. He continued saying this is the week she will and must put everything out there in order to win in Bowling Green.
Songock and Sangau will put up strong finishes as the Middle Tennessee front runners, but it will be up to the other members of both the men's and women's team to perform well if the teams looks to do what has never been done and win a Sun Belt Cross Country Championship.
"We don't have two or three stars on either team, but we do have five solids. Each person must go out and do their job," said Hayes.
As freshman last season, Isaac Biwott and Fetus Chemaoi finished 10th and 11th and will be called to do even better this year to bring home the trophy for the men. Marla Bailey and Ashley Comstock as well as freshman Kristen Tithof are also have to run well in order for the women to win.
Wrap up coverage will available post race on goblueraiders.com and sunbeltsports.org.
Finishing Projection
Men
1) Middle Tennessee
2) Western Kentucky
3) Arkansas-Little Rock
4) North Texas
5) South Alabama
6) Troy
7) Florida International
8) Louisiana-Monroe
9) Florida Atlantic
10) Arkansas State
11) Louisiana-Lafayette
Women
1) Western Kentucky
2) Middle Tennessee
3) Arkansas-Little Rock
4) Arkansas State
5) Florida Atlantic
6) North Texas
7) South Alabama
8) Florida International
9) Troy
10) Louisiana-Lafayette
11) Louisiana-Monroe
In the Sun Belt Conference coaches projection poll the Blue Raiders predicted to finish first on the men's side and second for the women. With lofty expectations in front of them, the team is going into the meet poised to finish a strong regular season.
This season has included team wins for both the men and women, a handful of top five finishes, and two runner of the week honors for junior Zamzam Sangau has put Hall of Fame coach Dean Hayes' teams in an excellent position for a shot at the schools first ever team titles in both men's and women's cross country.
"Overall we've done well. In the past we've had a strong men's team or strong women's team. But this is the first time in awhile I feel both teams can challenge," Hayes said.
The Blue Raiders are led by their star runners William Songock and Sangau. Songock, winner of the 5,000 meters at last springs Sun Belt Conference outdoor championship, has taken this momentum and had an outstanding junior cross country campaign.
"The confidence from last spring's Sun Belt outdoor track championship has him a mentally stronger which is key," said Hayes.
Sangau, the current Sun Belt Runner of the week, is coming off her second win this season and looks to add a third win this weekend in Bowling Green. At last year's Sun Belt Cross Country Championship Zamzam finished 3rd overall leading the women to a third place finish as team.
Although Zamzam has been exceptional this fall season, Coach Hayes commented he feels she has yet to lay everything on the line at a race. He continued saying this is the week she will and must put everything out there in order to win in Bowling Green.
Songock and Sangau will put up strong finishes as the Middle Tennessee front runners, but it will be up to the other members of both the men's and women's team to perform well if the teams looks to do what has never been done and win a Sun Belt Cross Country Championship.
"We don't have two or three stars on either team, but we do have five solids. Each person must go out and do their job," said Hayes.
As freshman last season, Isaac Biwott and Fetus Chemaoi finished 10th and 11th and will be called to do even better this year to bring home the trophy for the men. Marla Bailey and Ashley Comstock as well as freshman Kristen Tithof are also have to run well in order for the women to win.
Wrap up coverage will available post race on goblueraiders.com and sunbeltsports.org.
Finishing Projection
Men
1) Middle Tennessee
2) Western Kentucky
3) Arkansas-Little Rock
4) North Texas
5) South Alabama
6) Troy
7) Florida International
8) Louisiana-Monroe
9) Florida Atlantic
10) Arkansas State
11) Louisiana-Lafayette
Women
1) Western Kentucky
2) Middle Tennessee
3) Arkansas-Little Rock
4) Arkansas State
5) Florida Atlantic
6) North Texas
7) South Alabama
8) Florida International
9) Troy
10) Louisiana-Lafayette
11) Louisiana-Monroe
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