HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisana's Sean Brady is the men's cross country coach of the year, according to the Louisiana Sports Writers Association, heading an impressive showing by the Lions. Dorcus Kapkiai shares female runner of the year honors, while Naomi Jeruto is the female newcomer of the year.

In addition, both Kalphys Kemboi and Henry Rop are men's All-Louisiana team selections.

Following a 2009 Southland Conference outdoor track championship season, where he was named SLC coach of the year, Brady led the Lions to a solid cross country campaign. The men's team captured second place twice, at South Alabama's Azalea City Classic and Mississippi College's Watson Ford Invitational, then capped the year with an appearance in the NCAA regionals, finishing in 17^th place, ahead of LSU and conference rival UT Arlington.

Kapkiai is co-runner of the year in the Pelican State, along with McNeese State's Tinette Burger. Kapkiai was Southeastern's top female runner in every cross country meet she participated in this season. She earned her first of two individual victories by besting an outstanding field at the 5K Azalea City Classic. Kapkiai followed that up with a fifth place finish at LSU's 5K. Then came her best day of the season, her second individual win as part of a Southeastern team victory at the Mississippi College 6K event. She finished 12^th at the 6K conference championships. 

Jeruto, the LSWA's choice as female newcomer of the year, is a transfer from Lindenwood College who made an immediate impact on the Southeastern women's cross country team. She racked up four straight individual top ten finishes, placing eighth at South Alabama, seventh at the LSU Invitational, fourth at the McNeese Cowboy Stampede and finally at Mississippi College's Watson Ford Invitational, coming in second place.  

 

2009 LOUISIANA WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY TEAM

Tinette Burger, McNeese State

Karensa Ellis, Northwestern State

Dakota Goodman, Nicholls State

Amy Guinn, McNeese State

Ebony Harding, Xavier

Lauren Jones, Nicholls State

 

CO-RUNNERS OF THE YEAR

Tinette Burger, McNeese State

 

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

 

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR

Dakota Goodman, Nicholls State

 

CO-COACHES OF THE YEAR

Matthew Esche, Nicholls State

Joseph Moses, Xavier

 

2009 LOUISIANA MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY TEAM

*Moses Chelimo, Louisiana-Monroe

Cullen Doody, LSU

*Reese Lee, UL-Lafayette

David Rooney, McNeese State

Henry Rop, Southeastern
Joshua Sawe, McNeese State

*Ray Walston, Xavier

*-tied for the final spot

 

RUNNER OF THE YEAR

Joshua Sawe, McNeese State

 

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

Joshua Sawe, McNeese State

 

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR

Mark Dotson, Xavier

 

COACH OF THE YEAR