Source: UA Sports Information
Date Published: 10/31/2011 6:37:49 AM
Last Modified: 11/1/2011 6:37:50 AM
PermaLink: http://haw.gs/n18617

MARYVILLE, Tenn. - For the 19th time in program history and for the second straight year, the University of Arkansas men's cross country team captured the Southeastern Conference Cross Country team title with a first-place run Monday morning at the Lambert Acres Golf Club in Maryville, Tenn. The Razorbacks were paced by SEC champion Eric Fernandez, the 11th individual title for Arkansas since joining the conference.

Behind a 1-2 finish by Fernandez and Duncan Phillips, the Razorbacks collected 33 team points to secure the conference title. The SEC cross country victory is the second for Arkansas under head coach Chris Bucknam. The Razorbacks placed all five of its scorers inside the top 13 and finished ahead of runner-up Florida (66 points) and third-place Georgia (68).

With their victory Monday, the Razorbacks have won three of the past four SEC titles dating back to their championship performances during the 2010-11 season at the cross country and outdoor track and field meets. The 2011 SEC cross country title is the sixth conference championship for Arkansas under Bucknam.

"Obviously, we're very happy," Bucknam said. "This is our first line of defense when we go into the championship season. I'd have to say this is our most important meet of the year. I'm thrilled to watch our guys perform the way they did. I'm proud of them. We got good competition from Florida and Georgia, and hats off to them. They ran a tough race, and we came out on top."

Fernandez is Arkansas' first individual champion since Josphat Boit completed back-to-back title runs in 2004 and 2005. Running away from the lead pack late in the race, Fernandez navigated the 8,000-meter course in a time of 24:10.60, ahead of second-place runner and teammate Duncan Phillips. The Razorback senior clocked a time of 24:22.57

"We come to SECs for the team title, and the best way to help out your team is to score as low as possible," Fernandez said. "Winning is always fun but looking at the grand scheme of things, one point is always better than two. Then Duncan (Phillips) got second. That was so sweet. That made me even happier than when I crossed the line because I knew that meant with that one-two punch and how the other guys were racing, that we had it in the bag. It was fun."

Seniors Rick Elliott and Chuol Dey were Arkansas' third and fourth scorers, respectively. Elliott ran to a sixth-place individual finish, crossing the line in a time of 24:29.59. He was followed by an 11th-place result from Dey who posted a finishing time of 24:39.64. Patrick Rono, the only freshman in Arkansas' lineup, rounded out the team's scoring with a time of 24:41.89, good for 13th place overall.

The Razorbacks' sixth runner was Layne Nixon. He finished in a time of 24:56.36, good for 20th place overall. Nixon was immediately followed by Aaron Hamilton who finished in 21st place and clocked in with a time of 24:59.28.

Arkansas' remaining runners were Tom Cattin-Masson (25:15.84) in 31st place overall, Omar Abdi (25:26.32) in 37th place and Cameron Efurd (25:41.79) in 47th place.

During the post-race awards ceremony, the Razorbacks-Fernandez, Phillips and Elliott-named to the All-SEC First Team, while Dey and Rono earned spots on the All-SEC Second Team. As the second freshman runner overall, Rono also garnered a place on the SEC All-Freshman Team.

With the conference meet behind them, the Razorbacks return to action Nov. 12 for the 2011 NCAA South Central Region Championship at the Cottonwood Creek Golf Course in Waco, Texas. For more information regarding Razorback cross country or University of Arkansas athletics, please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.

Related Articles

Men's T&F Welcomes Elite Group of Newcomers (8/30)

Arkansas Strengthens Hold on No. 1 Ranking (10/19)

Arkansas Wins Chile Pepper; Boit Dominates Race (10/16)

Boit Named SEC Cross Country Athlete of the Week (10/5)

Arkansas Takes Over No. 1 Ranking (10/4)