DURANT, OKLA. – For the third straight season and the fifth in the last six years, the East Central University men’s cross country team claimed the Great American Conference Championship title.
The Tigers finished with 29 total points, 21 less than Harding in second place (50). Southern Arkansas was third (63), Southern Nazarene fourth (87), Northwestern fifth (166) and Arkansas-Monticello sixth (170).
“Today was great day for ECU cross country,” said head coach Steve Sawyer. “We set winning a GAC title as as one of our team goals at the beginning of the year and it was nice to see both teams claim the titles.”
Junior Kevin Matthews claimed the GAC Runner of the Year title, finishing first individually in a career-best time of 24:51.17 in the 8K race. Matthews sprinted the last 30 yards and overtook SAU’s Doug Palmer in the final 50 feet to claim first.
Matthews along with sophomore Cole Montgomery, senior Adrian Guevara and senior Richard Mora were all named to the All-GAC first team, while sophomore Larry Filer, freshman Tommy Grebe and freshman Cameron Corbin were All-GAC Second Team selections.
Montgomery finished fourth in a time of 25:13.41, Guevara fifth (25:20.40), Mora seventh (25:28.36) and Filer 12th (25:47.10) for those to score points for ECU.
Grebe finished 18th (26:41.67), Corbin 20th (27:01.78), junior Conrad Carbaugh 26th (27:06.69), senior Noel Figueroa 27th (27:08.13) and junior Caleb Biles 32nd (27:32.44) also represented the Tigers.
Sawyer was also named the GAC Coach of the Year for both the men’s and women’s teams.
Figueroa was also honored with the Crafton Tull Distinguished Scholar award, for those participating in the championship with a 3.70 GPA or higher who has completed at least 70 hours.
The Tigers will now have two weeks off to get ready for the 2016 NCAA Regional in Sioux Falls, S.D., Saturday, Nov. 5.
