Atlanta, GA— Morehouse College and Albany State University claimed the men’s and women’s title, respectively, at the 2010 SIAC Cross Country Championship.

The Maroon Tigers ran a total time of 2:21:39.07 and an average time of 28:19.82. Morehouse was led by sophomores Michael Vinson and Karlton Mitchell. Vinson finished second overall with a time of 27:48.93 while Mitchell finished just behind his Maroon Tiger teammate with a time of 27:55.09. Benedict College finished in second place, with a time of 2:26:16.59, followed by Kentucky State University.

Benedict junior Dickson Toroitich took home the men’s individual title with a time of 27:26.82. Toroitich, who won the men’s title in 2009, was named the men’s Most Valuable Performer of the championship meet as well as the East Division Men’s Runner of the Year.

The Lady Rams ran a total time of 1:46:14.81 which was just enough to hold off defending champion Clark Atlanta University, who finished second with a time of 1:46:53.47. Albany State, who ran average time of 21:14.97, was led by junior Brittany Carter. Carter finished second overall with a time of 20:02.57. Fort Valley State University finished in third place.

Stillman sophomore Chestina Anderson won the women’s individual title with a time of 19:57.34. Like Toroitich, Anderson was named the women’s Most Valuable Performer of the championship meet while also being named the West Division Women’s Runner of the Year.

Morehouse and Albany State both advance to compete in the NCAA South Region Championship Meet on November 20th. The meet, hosted by the University of Alabama in Huntsville, will take place at Sharon Johnston Park in New Market, AL.

Honors and Awards:

2010 SIAC Women’s Champion: Albany State University
2010 SIAC Men’s Champion: Morehouse College

Women’s Championship MVP: Chestina Anderson, Stillman College
Men’s Championship MVP: Dickson Toroitich, Benedict College

Women’s Coach of the Year: Kenneth Taylor, Albany State University
Men’s Coach of the Year: Willie Hill, Morehouse College


Top 10 Finishers at the 2010 SIAC Cross Country Championship

Women
1 Anderson, Chestina        SO Stillman College      19:57.34    1             
2 Carter, Brittany          JR Albany State          20:02.57    2             
3 Robinson, Brittany        Fr Clark Atlanta         20:13.35    3             
4 Duncan, Ashley-Marie      FR Albany State          20:38.82    4             
5 Latoyna, Payne            SO Fort Valley           20:55.86    5             
6 Dalton, Jasmine           JR Albany State          21:09.38    6             
7 Record, Kristina          SO Kentucky State        21:11.82    7             
8 Stone, Ebony              FR Albany State          21:17.87    8             
9 Comer, Tamara             So Clark Atlanta         21:28.07    9           
10Woodson, Markeshia        Fr Clark Atlanta         21:28.55   10             
 
Men
1 Toroitich, Dickson        Jr Benedict College      27:26.82    1             
2 Vinson, Michael           SO Morehouse College     27:48.93    2             
3 Mitchell, Karlton         SO Morehouse College     27:55.09    3             
4 Broussard, Kieren         FR Kentucky State        28:12.77    4             
5 Chirchir, Charles         Sr Benedict College      28:15.03    5             
6 Tinsley, Jeremy           JR Morehouse College     28:19.72    6             
7 Holly, James              Sr Tuskegee University   28:25.58    7             
8 Huerta, Ahunuar           SR Kentucky State        28:31.10    8             
9 Jones, Lil' Diamond       SO Albany State          28:35.36    9             
10Neiselu, Kasahun          FR Morehouse College     28:43.88   10       

East Division
Women’s Team of the Year: Clark Atlanta University
Runner of the Year: Brittany Carter, Albany State University

Men’s Team of the Year: Morehouse College
Runner of the Year: Dickson Toroitich, Benedict College

West Division

Women’s Team of the Year: Kentucky State University
Runner of the Year: Chestina Anderson, Stillman College

Men’s Team of the Year: Kentucky State University
Runner of the Year: Kieren Broussard,

2010 SIAC Men’s Cross Country All-Academic Team

Highest Team GPA: Morehouse College 3.76 2010

SIAC Women’s Cross Country All-Academic Team

Highest Team GPA: Miles College 3.5