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Track & Field

Southeastern Cross Country Student-Athletes Report

After her record-setting performance in the 3000 meter steeplechase, Bethany Burst is gearing up for the cross country campaign
HAMMOND – With the season just three weeks away, members of Southeastern Louisiana's men's and women's cross country teams officially reported to campus Friday. Student-athletes went through physicals and meetings, and then had their first run as a group.
 
“With all of our returning runners, I'm very happy to see they're in shape and ready to go,” head coach Sean Brady said. “For our new people that have come in, it's a good message to send on day one. They found out what it's going to take to get the job done after about 20 minutes of that first run.”
 
Senior Henry Rop returns for his final season, hoping to add to his list of awards. He was named the Southland Conference male cross country student-athlete of the year in 2009. A year earlier, he took home the league's newcomer of the year honor. In both seasons, he grabbed victories at the Mississippi College Invitational, while earning top-ten finishes in six other races.
 
Senior Dorcas Kapkiai is back after sharing the Louisiana Sports Writers Association's cross country athlete of the year award in 2009, an honor she split with McNeese State's Tinette Burger. She was the Lady Lions' top runner in every meet, winning the Azalea City Classic at South Alabama and the Mississippi College Invitational.
 
After setting a school record in the 3000 meter steeplechase at the Southland Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships, sophomore Bethany Burst has plans to accomplish more big things during this cross country campaign. Heading into her second college season, she feels more prepared.
 
“It's much less nerve racking,” Burst said. “I'm still kind of new to this, but I feel more experienced. The outgoing seniors set a good example, helping me understand what I need to do to compete. Now I know I can do this.”
 
Newcomers include freshman Joseph Lagrange and senior Whitney Curry. Lagrange, from Baton Rouge's Redemptorist High School, won the 2009 LHSAA State Cross Country Championship three-mile in Class 3A, covering the distance in 16:51.00. Curry, a product of St. Thomas Aquinas, won 11 individual state championships and six team titles with the Falcons. She returns to Hammond after completing a bachelor's degree at Wake Forest and will complete her college eligibility this season with Southeastern as a graduate student.
 
The season's first meet is the McNeese State Distance Relay in Lake Charles on Friday, Sept. 3. Competitors will be paired as two-person teams, each running 3000 meters.
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