Back-To-Back: Florida A&M Rattler Cross Country Repeats

Courtesy: Florida A&M Sports Information
Rattlers repeat as MEAC Cross Country Champions

PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland (Oct.26) – The Rattler Cross Country team, riding it's No.9 ranking by the USTFCCCA, took to the MEAC Championship with a mission. Their mission was to dominate, much in the fashion they have done all season. In the end, the team took the top four positions to run away with the 2013 MEAC Cross Country Championship, repeating the feat they accomplished in 2012. Head coach Wayne Angel assembled a more talented team overal than last season, resulting in the hoarding of the top spots.

Elias Chesire, the junior runner from Eldoret, Kenya, led the charge, winning first place in 25:04.00 in the 8K race. This earned him back-to-back MEAC Cross Country Outstanding Athlete and All-MEAC awards. This is also on the heels of Chesire being named the USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week.

Daniel Cheruiyot placed second for the Rattlers, coming in in 25:17.10. He was followed by teammates Kevin Marindich 25:27.90 and Geoffrey Sambu at 25:28.00. This combination represented four athletes with a combined perfect score of 10 points. Robyel Kidane took the No.20 slot in 27:14.20 to seal the voctory for the Rattlers. Dieumy Duclos took the No.22 spot in 27:21.50.

The 30 point total was over half as few as second place Howard University's 68, who took second place. The Rattlers didn't overlook the MEAC Championship, but focused on making the best finish possible. Coach Wayne Angel was named the meet's Most Outstanding Coach, for the second consecutive year. Chesire, Cheruiyot, Sambu and Marindich all earned All-MEAC for their finishes in the race.

Angel was pleased with the overall championship performance. "Our team had an outstanding meet. We had the goal of taking the 1-2-3-4 sweep, which I thought we were capable of if we ran our race. The reality of it happening is something to behold. I was really pleased with how our Rattlers executed our strategy. They stayed on our race plan and the results reveal that they are a formidable force when they do that. Words can not express how proud I am of these young men. Back-to-back champions...what more could you ask?"

Angel was named the MEAC Outstanding Cross Country coach for the second consecutive time.

   Men's 8K Final - 2013 MEAC Championship

2013 MEAC Men’s Results
Florida A&M 30 points
Howard 68 points
North Carolina A&T 80 points
Norfolk State 94 points
Maryland Eastern Shore 138 points
Bethune-Cookman 195 points
Morgan State 203 points
Delaware State 204 points
Hampton 213 points
Coppin State 267 points
North Carolina Central 284 points
Savannah State 294 points
South Carolina State 329 points

2013 MEAC Men’s Cross Country All-Conference Team (Top 15 finishers)
Elias Chesire, Florida A&M
Daniel Cheruiyot, Florida A&M
Kevin Marindich, Florida A&M
Geoffrey Sambu, Florida A&M
Elisha Metto, Howard
Khalil Kinini Rmidi, Maryland Eastern Shore
Damtew Adnew, Norfolk State
Sammy Kiptoo, Norfolk State
Giovani Mowatt, Howard
Daniel Ketter, Bethune-Cookman
Saeed Jones, North Carolina A&T
Aaron Harrison, Howard
Ricy Brown, Bethune-Cookman
Darren White, North Carolina A&T
Lenier Tucker, Morgan State

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION