ACU wins LSC championship

Wildcats win 11th straight cross country title

ADA, Okla. -- ACU head coach Jon Murray's stated goal before Saturday's Lone Star Conference cross country championship meet was to not only, but win in dominating fashion.

Consider it mission accomplished after the Wildcats swept the first seven spots at the meet.  No other school in LSC history has ever placed the top seven runners at the meet.

Alfred Rugema won the LSC title for the second time in his illustrious career, covering the 8-kilometer course in 25 minutes, 39 seconds.  Martin O'Kello was second in 25:41 with Bernard Manirakiza third in 25:42.  Arthemon Sindayigaya was fourth in 25:50, followed by defending LSC champion John Kemboi in fifth at 25:52, Jean-Marie Ndukimana in sixth at 25:53 and Nick Branen in seventh at 25:59.

All seven ACU runners earned all-Lone Star Conference honors as the Wildcats scored a perfect 15 points to win the title.

ACU -- ranked No. 2 in the nation and No. 2 in the South Central  region -- will return to action Nov. 9 at the NCAA Division II South Central region championship meet in Warrensburg, Mo.  The national championship meet will be Nov. 23 in Ashland, Ohio.

LONE STAR CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Saturday, Oct. 26, 2002 / Ada, Okla.
East Central Oklahoma University
Team Totals -- 1. Abilene Christian, 15; 2. East Central, 69; 3. Texas A&M-Kingsville, 76; 4. Tarleton State, 129; 5. West Texas A&M, 134; 6. Texas A&M-Commerce, 168; 7. Eastern New Mexico, 171; 8. Angelo State, 214.
Abilene Christian -- 1. Alfred Rugema, 25:39; 2. Martin O'Kello, 25:41; 3. Bernard Manirakiz, 25:42; 4. Arthemon Sindayigaya, 25:50; 5. John Kemboi, 25:52; 6. Jean-Marie Ndukimana, 25:53; 7. Nick Branen, 25:59.