Xavier's Jackson, Fakler are GCAC Runners of the Week

Catherine Fakler Kwame Jackson NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Kwame Jackson and Catherine Fakler are the first Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Runners of the Week of the 2013 cross country season. Both were honored for Aug. 26-Sept. 1 after their standout performances Friday in the Mississippi College Opener at Clinton, Mississippi.      Jackson, a junior from Kingwood, Texas, and a graduate of Kingwood Park High School, was the men's individual champion after running 5,000 meters in 16 minutes, 34 seconds. Jackson won by 10 seconds and led the Gold to the team championship over other schools.      Fakler, a junior from Phoenix, Ariz., and a graduate of  Xavier College Preparatory High School, ran 4,000 meters in 15:34 to break the women's school record by nearly 54 seconds. She finished third and led the Gold Nuggets to third place in the team standings.      This is the fifth time for Jackson and the third time for Fakler to win a GCAC weekly award.      Both XU teams will compete Saturday in the Loyola Wolf Pack Invitational at Lafreniere Park in Metairie, La., a New Orleans suburb. Both collegiate races will be 5,000 meters, with the women starting at 7:50 a.m. and the men at 8:25. It will be the second of five regular-season meets for Xavier and its only local appearance of 2013. By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director XULAATHLETICS XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA