Both XU teams receive vote in NAIA national polls

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana received one point Wednesday in each of the NAIA Cross Country Coaches' Top 25 polls.

The Gold Nuggets collected their first national vote since Sept. 18, 2008, and the Gold Rush gained its first vote since the 2010 preseason poll. It's the first time since the '08 preseason polls that both teams received votes the same week.

Both XU teams closed the regular season Saturday by winning team championships at the University of Dallas Invitational in Irving, Texas. The victories gave the Gold Rush a 35-16 record and the Gold Nuggets s 36-14-1 record entering the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championships at Clinton, Miss., on Oct. 22.

Xavier is the five-time defending GCAC men's and women's champion, and both teams are aiming for their third berth in four years in the NAIA National Championships. Both GCAC team champions will earn automatic berths in the national meet, and the top five men and women not on the winning teams also will qualify.

LINK TO NAIA COACHES TOP 25 POLLS

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
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Xavier's Jackson siblings run away with conference awards

Zahri Jackson

Kwame Jackson

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana cross country siblings Zahri and Kwame Jackson are the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Runners of the Week for Sept. 5-11.

The Jacksons are freshmen from Kingwood, Texas — a Houston suburb — and graduates of Kingwood Park High School.

Zahri Jackson is the first XU female harrier to win the GCAC award in consecutive weeks. She set a school record of 19 minutes, 15.18 seconds for 5,000 meters Saturday in the Four Points by Sheraton Loyola Wolfpack Invitational at Metairie, La. Jackson placed third overall and was the first collegiate finisher.

Kwame Jackson placed fourth in the men's division of the Loyola meet and was the No. 2 collegiate finisher. His 5K time of 16:12.13 is the fastest by an XU male since the record was set in 2000. He has top-10 finishes in both his collegiate meets.

Both XU teams will compete Friday evening in the Ragin' Cajuns Invitational at Lafayette, La.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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