Tulane University
American Athletic Conference Championship
Cross Country Records Highest-Ever Finishes at American Athletic Conference Championships
Oct 29, 2016 | Cross Country
WEST CHESTER, Ohio – Following five weeks of building up their strengths on the course in the regular season, both Tulane cross country teams captured their highest-ever placings at an American Athletic Conference Championship on Saturday morning at Voice of America Metropark. The Green Wave men recorded a second-place team finish, which also counted for their highest conference finish since 2001 when the men claimed the Conference USA title. At the meet, the Tulane women placed seventh, an improvement over eighth-place efforts the last two years.
The Tulane men were led once again by sophomore Emmanuel Rotich, who came in third place for his sixth consecutive meet finishing within the top three. Rotich, along with junior Moses Aloiloi and sophomore Joshua Cheruyot, all received All-Conference honors at the meet. In addition, Devyn Keith set a career-high in the 8K and was the fastest freshman in the field of runners.
"I'm very proud of the men's team because today they took a big step forward competitively," director of track and field and cross country Eric Peterson said. "We were once again led very well by Emmanuel and Moses, and without their strength at the front of our team we can't even get started. But today Joshua and Devyn deserve a lot of credit for boosting our team's effort. They worked together and competed very well to put us in a position to place high in the team race."
Juniors Emma Newton and Lauren Bartels, who finished the race at no. 18 and no. 23 spots, respectively, paced the Green Wave women for a seventh place finish on the day. Despite a disappointing final placing, four Tulane runners notched personal bests in the meet.
"Our women were not aggressive throughout the race, and the end result was a team placing that was below our expectation," associate head cross country coach Michael Nussa said. "We were in seventh in the second kilometer and did not make the necessary moves to improve over the final four kilometers. Emma and Lauren were further back today than they wanted to be, but both deserve a lot of credit for working hard to lead our team as they have all season."
Tulane now looks to the NCAA South Central Regional, which will take place in two weeks on Friday, Nov. 11 in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Men's Results (2nd of 9 - 8K, 2:01.11, 25:39 avg.)
3. Emmanuel Rotich (24:17.1)!
8. Moses Aloiloi (24:47.7)!
15. Joshua Cheruyot (25:19.2)!
17. Devyn Keith (25:26.2)*
65. Charlie Frishberg (28:20.5)
69. Pierce Hill (29:19.4)
Women's Results (7th of 11 – 6K, 1:52.34, 22:31 avg.)
18. Emma Newton (21:35.8)
23. Lauren Bartels (21:41.2)
40. Mckenzie Melius (22:28.7)*
59. Sarah Cella (22:57.5)
79. Jennifer LaMori (23:50.3)*
84. Mary Catherine Stovall (24:07.3)*
85. Paige Fatland (24:10.9)*
91. Erika Chelales (24:38.1)
95. Aislinn Roberts (25:09.0)
Players Mentioned
