Nov. 15, 2008

WACO, Texas - The Lamar University men's cross country team ran to third at the 2008 NCAA South Central Regional Championships, at Cottonwood Creek Golf course in Waco, Texas Saturday morning.

The Cardinals scored 74 points for the third place finish, 38 points ahead of the University of Texas who was in fourth with 112 points. Texas A&M won the meet with 39 points and the University of Arkansas claimed second place with 44 points.

Senior Samuel Kosgei, who has led Lamar all season, again led the way for the Cardinals with a second place finish as he covered the 10K course in a time of 29:55.5. Francis Kasagule was the second Lu runner across the finish line as he posted an eighth place finish in a time of 30:59.8. Both runners will advance to the NCAA championship meet in Terre Haute Ind. on Nov. 24.

Drew Bean and Hillary Samoei were the next two runners to finish for Lamar, with Bean posting a time of 31:31.3 for an18th place finish, while Samoei was 24th in a time of 31:48.7. Bean and Samoei, along with Kosgei and Kasagule, earned All-Region honors for their top 25 finishes.

Frank Bwambale rounded out the scoring for Lamar by finishing in 30th place as he covered the course in a time of 32:08.4. Randy Becker was the six Cardinals runner to finish, placing 66th in a time of 33:24.1, while Jared Rodriguez closed out the Lamar field with a 109th place finish in a time of 35:36.8

Sandy Castro was the lone Lady Cardinals runner to participate in the regional meet on Saturday. The freshman placed 68th with a 6K time of 23:13.3.