Marquette's women's team won its third consecutive team title, while Charlotte took first-place overall in the men's competition at the 2002 Conference USA Cross Country Championship held at the Van Hook Golf Course in Hattiesburg, Miss.


HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Marquette University women's team won its third consecutive team title, while Charlotte took first-place overall in the men's competition at the 2002 Conference USA Cross Country Championship held at the Van Hook Golf Course in Hattiesburg, Miss.

Marquette won the women's championship with 29 points, South Florida took second with 48 and DePaul placed third with 103 points. Junior Erin Moffett of DePaul, who led from start to finish, took individual honors with a time of 20:54.68, while Marquette senior Jessie Swan, who finished eighth last season, was second with a time of 21:06.93. Sophomore Christa Benton of South Florida was third with a time of 21:07.99.

Charlotte 49ers took the team title with 53 points, followed by Marquette with 71 and Cincinnati finished third with 81 points. Senior Andrew Smith of South Florida captured the individual title with a time of 24:36.71, senior Mike Olaque of Houston finished second with a time of 24:43.87 and Charlotte's Vince Sherry was third with a time of 24:56.29.

Southern Miss women's team finished 11th overall with 284 points. Senior Jessica Crump was the Lady Eagles' top finisher, crossing the finish line 33rd overall with a time of 23:25.04.

"I thought the championship went well," Head Coach Wayne Williams said. "It was a little colder than what we would have liked, but other than that, I think things went smoothly. I was happy to see the rain hold off. It started to drizzle a little when the women's race started. Overall, we were pleased and proud of hosting the championship. I hoped every one had a good time in Hattiesburg."

Women's 6,000-meter Run
1. Marquette (29); 2. South Florida (48); 3. DePaul (103); 4. Houston (136); 5. TCU (166); 6. Charlotte (170); 7. Cincinnati (183); 8. East Carolina (194); 9. Louisville (206); 10. Tulane (279); 11. Southern Miss (284); 12. Saint Louis (285); 13. UAB (349); 14. Memphis (386).

Men's 8,000-meter Run
1. Charlotte (53); 2. Marquette (71); 3. Cincinnati (81); 4. DePaul (109); 5. Houston (133); 6. South Florida (165); 7. Memphis (210); 8. East Carolina (219); 9. Louisville (253); 9. TCU (253); 11. Tulane (266); 12. Saint Louis (275).