BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (Oct. 29, 2005) – University of New Orleans cross country runner Diana Jepchirchir captured the women's individual title, while the men's squad took home fourth place in the Sun Belt Conference Championships held here Saturday at Kereiakes Park.
Jepchirchir posted a school-record in the 5-kilometer women's race by pulling away from the field with a time of 17:24.98. Jepchirchir defeated second-place finisher Katarina Lovrantova of UALR by almost 22 seconds as the Trojan finished with a time of 17:46.32. Jepchirchir is the first Privateer to win the individual Sun Belt title since Michaela Mannova captured the 2000 crown.
\"Diana ran a smart race, which is what we prepared her for,\" UNO assistant coach Chris Neal said, who oversees the cross country program. \"She ran the first two miles the way we scripted and then she just pulled away over the last mile for the win.\"
Callie Picou was the second women's finisher for the Privateers with a 39th place showing and a time of 19:53.50, while Angela Makaha came in 53rd with a 20:31.77. Terrica Hamilton captured 58th place by compiling a 20:59.26, while Itohan Osemwenkhae came in 68th by posting a 24:03.55 and Maggie Riley was 69th after tallying a 24:59.88.
The men's squad captured its best finish ever in the history of this event as Frank Bwambale captured UNO's highest male finish in 12th with a time of 26:15.82.
\"It feels good to see these individuals come together and run as well a race as they did,\" Neal added about the men's squad.
Following Bwambale on the men's side was Cory Denstel, who posted a 26:49.52 for a 24th place showing and Scotty Burley came in 27th with a time of 26:58.45. Chan-Yew Woo posted a time of 27:28.36 to come in 35th and Cory Winburn rounded out UNO's harriers with a 28:11.68 and a 45th place effort.
\"I am extremely proud of these individuals as they have been able to keep things together,\" UNO track and field/cross country coach Willie Randolph said after his squad endured Hurricane Katrina in late August and then subsequently moving their operations to LSU in Baton Rouge. \" They ran with heart and passion after having a strong couple of months behind them.\"
The Sun Belt Cross Country Championships were originally scheduled Miami, Fla., but Hurricane Wilma forced the change in venue which allowed Western Kentucky to be the host for this event.
UNO plans to send its men's team to Waco, Texas, as well as Jepchirchir for the NCAA Regional which is slated to be held in two weeks.