For the first time in 26 years, Texas Southern is the Southern Western Athletic Conference (SWAC) Cross Country Men's Champions by outscoring Grambling 43-77. Even though Grambling was top heavy, with the first and second place finishers (Mathais Cheboi and Fred Chepygon), the depth of Texas Southern was too much to handle. Texas Southern's top five runners placed 6,7,9,10, and 11, led by Freshman Cosmos Keter with a time of 26:43. Texas Southern's top seven athletes are all freshman and their eight runner is a sophomore. This bolds well for their future as they look to continue to grow their Distance program.
On the women's side, Alabama State proved to be the deepest squad as they defeated Jackson State 46-73. This is the second straight championship for the Lady Hornets as they scored almost 30 points less than their championship performance in 2018. They were led by Arion Spann, who finished 2nd overall behind SWAC Champion, Naomi Kiprop (Grambling). Spann led a contingent of runners who placed 2,7,10,11, and 16. With all but Spann returning next year, Alabama State is in a hot spot to contend for a three peat in 2020.
Men's Standings
1. Texas Southern
2. Grambling
3. Jackson State
4. Prairie View
5. Arkansas Pine-Bluff
6. Alabama State
7. Southern
8. Mississippi Valley State
9. Alcorn State
2019 All-SWAC First Team
Mathias Cheboi (Grambling State; SWAC Men’s XC Runner of the Year)
Fred Chepyegon (Grambling State)
Vincent Langat (Jackson State)
Levante Williams (Prairie View A&M)
Aaron Koech (Grambling State)
2019 All-SWAC Second Team Cosmas Keter (Texas Southern) Efrain Lira (Texas Southern) Adbi Hussein (Alabama State) Jose Gonzalez (Texas Southern) Dan Lerma (Texas Southern)
Women's Standings
1. Alabama State
2. Jackson State
3. Alabama A&M
4. Southern
5. Prairie View
6. Grambling
7. Arkansas Pine-Bluff
8. Texas Southern
9. Mississippi Valley State
10. Alcorn State
2019 All-SWAC First Team
Naomi Kiprop (Grambling State; SWAC Women’s XC Runner of the Year)
Arion Span (Alabama State)
Mercy Chebet (Jackson State)
Sabria Wooten (Alabama A&M)
Chantaya Griffin (Southern)
2019 All-SWAC Second Team Sydney Minor (Southern) Shayla Sanders (Alabama State) Taylor Hayes (Jackson State) Derica Pitters (Mississippi Valley State) Mariyah Archibald (Alabama State)
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