Cross Country Enjoys Success at the NSU Invitational

Release: 10/03/2011

NATCHITOCHES, La. - The ULM cross country team won its second race of the season in the women's division, and junior Daniel Mutai continued his impressive individual campaign at the Northwestern State University Invitational on Monday.

The Warhawk women placed first in the team competition with 30 points, beating the host Northwestern State (40), Grambling State (88), Centenary (104), Louisiana Tech (117) and Louisiana College (178) for the overall win. ULM was also victorious on Sept. 9 at the Warhawk Invitational at Selman Field.

Senior Denise Myers earned individual second place honors in the 6k run with a time of 24:11.56. Junior Sharon Sason was the next ULM runner to finish, clocking a 24:38.58 to claim fifth place. Freshman Anakaren Lopez had the best finish of her Warhawk career, taking sixth with a time of 25:04.12. Freshman Tyreca Jackson (25:22.39) and junior Jasmine Garcia (25:40.32) claimed eighth and ninth place respectively, while freshman Bethany Koestler recorded a 26:56.23 for 15th place. Junior Ariana Jones registered a 21st place finish with a time of 28:08.90.

Northwestern State's Lawana Perkins claimed the overall title, completing the trek at Demon Hills Golf Course in 24:03.84. Other top five finishers were Northwestern State's Ali Fontenot in third (24:18.53) and Grambling State's Shequea Howard in fourth (24:35.54).

On the men's side, Louisiana Tech earned the team victory with 38 points, followed by ULM (41), Grambling State (56), Northwestern State (91), Centenary (129) and Louisiana College (187).

Mutai claimed his third individual win in as many races for ULM, completing the 8k course in 24:31.49. He previously won men's titles at the Southland Conference Pre-Conference Meet on Sept. 26, and the Warhawk Invitational on Sept. 9.

Junior Silah Chumba took home runner-up honors with a time of 25:55.99. Grambling State's Darwin Price rounded out the top three, clocking a time of 26:07.69.

Senior Moses Chelimo was the next ULM runner to cross the finish line, earning fifth place with a time of 26:31.00. Junior Devin Caldwell recorded a 27:57.49 for 15th place, while senior Britt Koestler registered a 28:31.31 for the 18th position. Freshman Austin Thomas crossed the finish line in 28:55.74 for 21st place, while sophomore Jacob Heckford claimed 23rd place with a time of 29:04.27. Junior Alex Wallace finished in 33rd with a time of 33:37.32.

ULM returns to action on Oct.7 at the Watson Ford Cross Country Invitational, hosted by Mississippi College.

NSU Invitational Women's Team Standings

1. ULM 30
2. Northwestern State 40
3. Grambling State 88
4. Centenary 104
5. Louisiana Tech 117
6. Louisiana College 178

NSU Invitational Women's Individual Standings (6k run)

1. Lawana Perkins, Northwestern State, 24:03.84
2. Denise Myers, ULM, 24:11.56
3. Ali Fontenot, Northwestern State, 24:18.53
4. Shequea Howard, Grambling State, 24:35.54
5. Sharon Sason, ULM, 24:38.58
6. Anakaren Lopez, ULM, 25:04.12
8. Tyreca Jackson, ULM 25:22.39
9. Jasmine Garcia, ULM, 25:40.32
15. Bethany Koestler, ULM, 26:56.23
21. Ariana Jones, ULM, 28:08.90

NSU Invitational Men's Team Standings

1. Louisiana Tech 38
2. ULM 41
3. Grambling State 56
4. Northwestern State 91
5. Centenary 129
6. Louisiana College 187

NSU Invitational Men's Individual Standings (8k run)

1. Daniel Mutai, ULM, 24:31.49
2. Silah Chumba, ULM, 25:55.99
3. Darwin Price, Grambling State, 26:07.69
4. Josh Slocum, Louisiana Tech, 26:21.12
5. Moses Chelimo, ULM, 26:31.00
15. Devin Caldwell, ULM, 27:57.49
18. Britt Koestler, ULM, 28:31.31
21. Austin Thomas, ULM, 28:55.74
23. Jacob Heckford, ULM, 29:04.27
33. Alex Wallace, ULM, 33:37.32