MONROE, La- The Sun Belt Conference Cross Country Championships will be hosted by the University of Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday October 31. All events will take place at Selman Field in Monroe.

The Men's 8k (4.97 miles) will begin at 10:00 a.m., while the Women's 5k (3.11 miles) is slated to start at 11:00 a.m. The course opens up at 8:00 a.m.

Last season WKU brought home both the men's and women's championships and looks to do so again this year. On the women's side they are led by senior Janet Jesang. Jesang will be attempting to capture her third-straight SBC individual cross country title Saturday, while the Lady Toppers will be attempting to capture their fourth-straight team title. Jesang has been the mainstay in the women's distances for WKU during her time on the Hill.  During the 2008-09 school year, Jesang earned all-America honors during cross country, indoor (5k), and outdoor (5k). Last year, Jesang finished first out of 71 women with a time of 17:27:09, almost 19 seconds faster then her closest competitor.

Looking to stop WKU's run for a fourth straight title will be Middle Tennessee led by Zamzam Sangau. Sangau, a native of Uganda like Jesang, has been impressive this season for the Blue Raiders earning the SBC Runner of the week honor twice. Last year the then junior finished runner-up to Jesang with a time of 17:45:89.

Other teams looking to compete for the team championship will be Arkansas State, North Texas, and UALR.

On the men's side, South Alabama will look to outrun Patrick Cheptoek (second overall in 2008) and the Hilltoppers with the help from the two-time consecutive title holder, Micah Tirop. Tirop's win last season marked the sixth consecutive time a Jaguar has claimed the gold at the SBC Championships. Tirop finished the course in 24:47:35 about 13 seconds faster than Cheptoek. Other teams in contention for the men's team title include Middle Tennessee, UALR, and North Texas led by Patrick Strong (third overall in 2008).

There will be an awards ceremony following the Women's 5k. During the ceremony awards will be handed out for Coach of the Year, Men's/Women's Freshman of the Year, Men's/Women's Top Meet Performers, and the Men's/Women's Individual and Team Champions.

Coaches were polled for the projected order of finish of the teams and on the men's side South Alabama is the favorite while on the women's side the coaches predict a fourth straight team championship for WKU.

After South Alabama for men the ballots had Middle Tennessee, UALR, WKU, North Texas, Arkansas State, Troy, Florida Atlantic, Louisiana-Monroe, FIU, and Louisiana-Lafayette.

For the women WKU is followed by Middle Tennessee, Arkansas State, North Texas, UALR, South Alabama, Florida Atlantic, Troy, FIU, Louisiana-Lafayette and Louisiana-Monroe.

Saturday, October 31
Schedule of Events - All Events at Selman Field
Course Opens - 8:00 a.m.
Men's 8k - 10:00 a.m.
Women's 5k - 11:00 a.m.
Awards Ceremony - 11:45 a.m. 

Projected Order of Finish

MEN

1 South Alabama

2 Middle Tennessee

3 UALR

4 WKU

5 North Texas

6 Arkansas State

7 Troy

8 Florida Atlantic

9 Louisiana-Monroe

10 FIU

11 Louisiana-Lafayette

WOMEN

1 WKU

2 Middle Tennessee

3 Arkansas State

4 North Texas

5 UALR

6 South Alabama

7 Florida Atlantic

8 Troy

9 FIU

10 Louisiana-Lafayette

11 Louisiana-Monroe

Past Five Champions

Men

2004   Louisiana-Lafayette

2005   WKU

2006   South Alabama

2007   UALR

2008   WKU

Women

2004   WKU

2005   UALR

2006   WKU

2007   WKU

2008   WKU