SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Appalachian State is set to host the 2010 Southern Conference Cross Country Championship in Boone, N.C., on Saturday, Oct. 30. The championship is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. with the women's 5K race. The men's 8K race is set for 10:45 a.m. followed by an awards ceremony to conclude the championship.
The Appalachian State men are looking to defend its Southern Conference title and win its sixth consecutive conference championship, as they run on their home course. In the coaches' preseason poll, the Mountaineers were tabbed as the preseason favorites, finishing just ahead of UNCG in the voting. The Mountaineers are led by junior Sean Soderman, who has the fastest time for a Mountaineer this season in an 8K race and the sixth fastest time in the SoCon. UNCG is looking for knock off the five-time conference champions behind the strong running of Joey Thompson and Mike Koech, who have the third and fifth fastest times, respectively, in the conference this season on an 8K course.
The Samford women are seeking its second straight conference title after only three appearances at the championship. The Bulldogs were the preseason favorites to repeat, and are led by sophomore Lauren D'Alessio and senior Hillary Neal. D'Alessio has turned in the fastest conference time of the season for the females on a 5K course, and has two of the three fastest conference times overall. Neal comes into the championship as the third fastest women running in the SoCon this season.
On the men's side, six of the top 10 finishers from the 2009 championship return, while eight women in the top 10 from last season's championship are set to compete.
Last year's top men's finisher and two-time SoCon Runner of the Year Emmanuel Kirwa of Chattanooga returns this season, as he hopes to lead the Mocs to the title. Wofford's Trey Parker, the 2009 Freshman of the Year, is also set to return.
On the women's side, the 2009 Runner of the Year Brittney Caudle of Appalachian State returns for the Mountaineers. Caudle was also honored as last season's Freshman of the Year.
Appalachian State men's team returns only two runners that finished in last season's top 20 in Soderman and Burk Staub. Soderman finished sixth last season and was named first-team all-conference while Staub finished the 2009 championship in 19th place.
Samford women's team returns two runners from last season's championship team that finished in the top five in Neal and Ina Ables. Both were named to the first-team all-conference team as Neal placed fourth and Ables finished fifth in 2009.
A look at the top times this season shows that Chattanooga and UNCG lead the way for the men, with each having two runners in the top five. Posting the fastest time of the season is Chattanooga's Kirwa followed by Davidson's Ryan Hopkins in second, UNCG's Thompson in third, Chattanooga's Chris Berry in fourth and UNCG's Koech in fifth.
On the women's side, Samford leads the way with two runners in the top five. D'Alessio is first and Neal is third in the conference this season. Ashley Schnell of UNCG posted the second fastest time on a 5K course this season, while Chattanooga's Anneli Uys has the fourth fastest. College of Charleston's freshman Dena O'Brien rounds out the top five.
For complete results and photos from the championship, log onto www.soconsports.com.