CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The Southeastern Louisiana University men's cross country team finished sixth and the women's team finished 10th in the Southland Conference championships Saturday at Guth Park. Lamar won the men's 8K meet, while Texas A&M-Corpus Christi captured the women's title in a 6K race.

The Lion men are in contention for a top 15 spot in the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches' Association south central rankings, which would give them a berth in the regional meet at Waco, Texas, on Nov. 13. Southeastern finished two places ahead of the Sam Houston State Bearkats, who are currently ranked 14th. All of the teams that came in ahead of SLU Saturday are ranked among the top 12 in the region.

“From a coaching perspective, I'm elated with our men,” head coach Sean Brady said. “I'm hoping that when the polls come out (Tuesday), we won't get slighted and we'll end up as one of those top 15 teams.”

Kalphys Kemboi was Southeastern's top male finisher, placing sixth by clocking a time of 24:23. Henry Rop joined him in the top 10, coming in ninth, just two seconds behind at 24:25. Nelphat Bolt came in 33rd (25:58), Jessie McDavitt 58th (27:17), Scott Richardson 65th (27:54), Jaron Ortega 66th (28:03), Kyle Golden 69th (28:15) and Zac Dufrene 86th (30:18).

“Across the board, we had personal bests set,” Brady said. “What we needed to happen with our four-five-six-seven runners all happened. Those guys all set personal bests and they all did it by a long ways. We controlled the things we could control and we did well.”

The Lady Lions' best performer was Dorcus Kapkiai, who came in 12th place with a time of 21:42. Naomi Jeruto was next for Southeastern, placing 37th at 22:46. She was followed by Kim Gastinell in 53rd (23:33), Bethany Burst 67th (24:30), Ernestine Carodine 68th (24:31), Courtney Schultheis 75th (25:43) and Esther Kemboi 84th (28:17).

While the women's team will not advance to regionals, Kapkiai will compete as an individual.

COMPLETE RESULTS