Oct. 29, 2005
Columbia, S.C. –
With déjà vu-like results, the 2005 SEC Cross Country championships were simply a matter repeats from the previous season. The Arkansas men’s team earned its 14th consecutive SEC title, and the Tennessee Lady Vols chimed in with their third straight crown. Defending champion Josphat Boit of Arkansas held on to his title while Auburn’s Angela Homan earned her third consecutive title to become the first ever, SEC three-time champion.
The Arkansas Razorbacks, led by legendary cross country and track and field coach John McDonnell, recorded their 32nd consecutive cross country title, one of the longest title streaks in collegiate athletics. Despite a confusing finish due to course error, the Razorbacks took the title with 23 points and totaled a time of 1:56:13, beating the second-place team Alabama by two and a half seconds.
“We knew it would be hard to beat Augustus Maiyo from Alabama because he is very good. We figured Josaphat was going to make the move and shake things up and he did,” said McDonnell. “Josaphat beat a great field and Maiyo gave him a tough race.”
Arkansas finished with three of the top five with Boit leading the way, followed by Shawn Forrest and Kenny Cormier. Boit ran a time of 22:59 enroute to becoming only the third UA athlete to win two-straight SEC titles. Sophomore Shawn Forrest finished third with a time of 23:03 and freshman Kenny Cormier came in fourth with a time of 23:11. Alabama freshman Augustus Maiyo edged Forrest out of second place by two seconds as he came in with a second-place time of 23:01. Georgia’s Ian Burrell rounded out the top five individuals with a time of 23.16.
“I am really happy about winning my second SEC title,” said Boit. “It doesn’t happen very often and to win twice is a big achievement. As a team we did really well.”
Florida came in third (1:59:40) followed by fourth-place Tennessee (1:59:44). Auburn (2:02:18.49) was unable to come in under the two-hour mark but still finished fifth. Georgia (2:02:18.29), LSU (2:03:56), Mississippi State (2:04:39), Kentucky (2:05:44), Ole Miss (2:09:16) and Vanderbilt (2:10:36) closed out the race.
On the women’s side, Auburn’s Homan became the first ever to claim three SEC cross country titles. Homan breezed by her competition as she came in ahead of second place by six seconds.
“I am so happy now. I just feel like I am on the top right now with that adrenaline rush,” claimed Homan. “I honestly feel like I could go out and run another race. Coming today and running the way I did, my confidence level is up again and my legs don’t feel as heavy as they have in the past.”
The Tennessee women’s team picked up SEC title No. 5, and the third straight for head coach J.J. Clark. Overall, Clark has five conference titles after claiming two at Florida (1996, 1997).
The Lady Vols clocked a winning time of 1:41:06 to post 48 points. Arkansas followed with 1:41:27 for a close second. The Georgia Bulldogs finished third with a time of 1:43:11, while Kentucky placed fourth (1:44:37) and Florida placed fifth (1:45:39).
UT’s leading lady was Felicia Guilford, who finished second behind Homan, and beat third place runner, Allison Grace from Kentucky, by six seconds.
“This was a gutty performance. This team has overcome a lot of adversity,” said Clark. “Every year it is very special. A lot of work went into this win. A lot of coaching, a lot of support from our medical and training staff, who has been tremendous.”
Senior Lauren Burks from Georgia finished fourth with a time of 19:54:90 and Arkansas’ Christine Kalmer topped of the top five with a time of 19:59:56.
