Women's Cross Country Ranked in Regional Poll
9/28/2009 12:00:00 AM | Cross Country
Sept. 28, 2009
SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The USC Upstate women's cross country team was ranked 12th in this week's United States Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association southeast region poll. This is the first time that either Spartan cross country team has ever been ranked.
The women's team has run strong at all three meets that they have participated in. Leading the way for the Spartans in 2009 is Carolyne Chelulei who has two first-place finishes and an 11th-place finish in her last meet.
Chelulei won the Wofford Relays on Sept. 1 with teammate Joan Tangwar, followed by a victory on Sept. 5 at the 26th-annual Eye Opener Invitational with a time of 18:12, just three seconds off of the meet record. She finished 11th at the Virginia Tech Alumni Invitational on Sept. 17.
"This ranking is a direct reflection of how strong our girls have worked this season," said head cross country coach Jimmy Stephens They have put a lot of time and effort in and I am proud that their hard work has paid off with a regional ranking, the first ever for our program."
The Spartans have also received strong performances from the rest of the team. At the Eye Opener Invitational, Jemeli Sang finished third, followed by Joan Tangwar in 12th and Emily Tangwar in 18th-place. Lauren Walker finished just one spot behind Tangwar, with teammate Laura Transue finishing 45th overall.
Assistant cross country coach Carson Blackwelder said, "Our women have done an excellent job of competing in every meet this season. For our team to receive recognition in the region is great for our program and university."
Leading the USTFCCCA southeast region poll were the Virginia Cavaliers. Following UVA were Atlantic Coast Conference members Duke, North Carolina State and Wake Forest. Rounding out the top five was Louisville.
The rest of the top 15, starting with sixth place, was Kentucky, North Carolina, Western Kentucky, Richmond, William & Mary, Virginia Tech, USC Upstate, South Carolina, Eastern Kentucky and Appalachian State.
The Spartans will return to action this Friday afternoon when they compete at the Charlotte Invite. The event in Charlotte, N.C. is scheduled to begin at 4:15 p.m.
