MOBILE, Ala. - University of South Alabama men's cross country sophomore Zac Edwards and senior Micah Tirop will compete in the NCAA Cross Country National Championship Mon., Nov. 23, at Terre Haute, Ind.
Edwards, the 2009 Sun Belt Conference Champion, placed fifth at the South Regional last Saturday, becoming the fourth and final automatic individual qualifier. This will be his first individual appearance at the NCAA Cross Country National Championship.
"We have been preparing since the summer for this meet," USA distance coach Tim Goldsack said. " Zac has been coming along strong at the end of the season, and I feel like he is going to have an outstanding race on Monday. When Zac transferred here, he was 96th in the region. He has progressed quickly and has a good shot to be an All-American on Monday."
Tirop, a two-time SBC champion, finished tenth at the South Regional and received an individual at-large bid. Monday will mark his third appearance at the NCAA Championships. He is the first Jaguar to qualify three consecutive times for the national meet since former Jag Tonny Okello qualified from 2004-06.
"Micah has been the heart and soul of the cross country program for four years," Goldsack said. "Monday is the culmination of a great career. He is only the third Jag to be all-conference four times in cross country. He made a huge stride at Pre-Nationals, leading the chase pack through 5,000 meters and finishing 13th. If he runs like that on Monday he will come home an All-American."
The 2009 NCAA Championships are hosted by Indiana State University, located on the LaVern Gibson Championship Course at the Wabash Valley Family Sports Center in Terre Haute, Ind.
The men's race will begin at approximately 11:08 p.m. Central time, followed by the women's race at approximately 12:58 p.m. Both championship races will be broadcast live on Versus Network and streamed online via NCAA.com.
"We are excited to have both Micah and Zac going to nationals," USA head coach Paul Brueske. "This is great for our program and I think they can both come away All-Americans."
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
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