Wildcats off to regionals

Men look for 3rd straight title; women for berth in nationals

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WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- The ACU men's and women's cross country teams will compete Saturday at the NCAA Division II South Central region championship meet with both teams looking for a spot in the NCAA Division II national championship meet.

The ACU men -- ranked No. 1 in the region and No. 2 in the nation -- are a virtual lock to win their third straight regional title and qualify for the national meet for the 12th time in school history. The Wildcats have coasted to back-to-back regional titles, and then both times went on to finish second in the nation to Western State (Colo.).

ACU senior John Kemboi is the defending regional champion, although senior Alfred Rugema -- who won the Lone Star Conference championship two weeks ago -- will be among the favorites to capture the individual championship.

"I feel pretty confident about our team," ACU head coach Jon Murray said. "Our guys are running very well, and I believe we should have all seven of them in the top 15 so that they all earn all-region honors.

"Our focus is on the national meet and trying to win the national championship, but, obviously, we have to get there first," Murray said.

The ACU women, meanwhile, must get past defending regional champion Central Missouri State and Pittsburg State, Kan., to reach the national championship meet for the first time since 1997. Two weeks ago ACU won its second straight LSC championship, and now goes for its first regional title since 1982.

Murray said the key for the Wildcats getting to the national championship meet is for his top three runners -- Angie Waters, Justine Nahimana and Cassie Chaffin -- to finish in the top three, and then the final two runners -- Amie Lindley and Abbie Waters -- to be within one minute of the leaders.

"We've been successful all year with our depth, and that's going to have to be a key again for us," Murray said. "The top three have been running well, and I would anticipate both Amie and Abbie running very well this week."

The national meet will be Nov. 23 in Ashland, Ohio.