Greenville, N.C. - The 2001 Conference USA Cross Country Championships were held at Overton's Lake Kristi on Oct. 27 and hosted by East Carolina University. Tulane took first place overall in men's competition, while Marquette won the women's competition.

Tulane won the men's championship with 61 points, Marquette took second with 63 and Cincinnati placed third with 70 points. Senior Eliud Njubi of TCU took first individually with a time of 23:09, while last year's champion, senior Solomon Kandie of Tulane finished second. Senior Chris Birchall of DePaul claimed third.

TCU also had the top runner in the women's competition as senior Glady's Keitany won individual honors with a time of 19:44. Senior Tara Quinn of South Florida finished second and sophomore Brianna Dahm crossed the line in third. Marquette won the women's competition with 46 points. South Florida placed second with 60 points and TCU earned third-place honors.

"The championship went very well," said ECU cross country coach Len Klespack. "We were proud to host such an abundance of talent, and we are glad our team began competition in one of the most competitive conferences for cross country in the nation."


Men's 8,000-meter Run
1. Tulane (61); 2. Marquette (63); 3. Cincinnati (70); 4, Charlotte (90); 5. DePaul (148); 6. Memphis (187); 7. Louisville (217); 8. TCU (220); 9. ECU (242); 10. Houston (245); 11. South Florida (255); 12. Saint Louis (306).

Women's 6,000-meter Run
1. Marquette (46); 2. South Florida (60); 3. TCU (85); 4. Houston (137); 5. ECU (152); 6. DePaul (167); 7. Louisville (214); 8. Southern Miss (221); 9. Cincinnati (233); 10. Tulane (246); 11. Charlotte (280); 12. Memphis (334); 13. Saint Louis (336); 14. UAB (410).