Arkansas Picked to Win 2006 SEC Cross Country Title

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas cross country was tabbed to win the 2006 SEC Cross Country title, according to preseason voting by the SEC cross country coaches, it was announced by the SEC on Monday.

“We are very pleased we were picked No. 1 by the coaches,” head coach John McDonnell said. “There are a lot of good teams in the SEC this year, especially Alabama. They have a great team this year. We are excited for the opportunity to defend our title.”

McDonnell and his squads have won 32-consecutive league cross country titles and, this October, will be in the hunt for their 16th-consecutive SEC cross country title. The 2006 SEC cross country championships will be held Sat. Oct. 28, in Baton Rogue, La.

A title win at LSU will also give Arkansas its 80th conference title and 41st SEC title, including cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field.

The Razorbacks received nine first-place votes and racked up 99 points in the voting. Alabama was tabbed to earn a silver finish with two first-place votes and 91 points. Florida was picked to round out the top three and tallied 82 points.

At the 2005 SEC cross country championships, the Razorbacks had five harriers finish in the top 10. They defeated Alabama to win the title by a 50-point deficit. Josphat Boit successfully defended his individual title and McDonnell was named the SEC Coach of the Year.

Arkansas went on to earn a silver finish at the 2005 NCAA Championships with Boit, Peter Kosgei and Kenny Cormier earning All-America honors.

The Hogs open the 2006 cross country season with the Arkansas Tri-Meet, Fri. Sept. 8, at 7 p.m. Running next to Arkansas at their home cross country course will be Missouri Southern and Missouri State.