The 2007 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Cross Country Championships will take place on Saturday, October 27 at Mount Trashmore Park in Virginia Beach, Va. The Lady Pirates of Hampton will vie for their second straight crown and third overall, while the Norfolk State Spartans will contend for their eighth consecutive MEAC cross country title.
The Lady Pirates of Hampton won last year’s championship convincingly 30 points ahead of second place Howard. Hampton freshman Jahlisa Smith posted the fastest time in a 5K race this season in 18:07.09 at the Maryland Eastern Shore Cappy Anderson Invite.
The Spartans, winners of an unprecedented seven straight crowns, have been led this season by Dominic Luka, Hillary Cheruiyot, and Jonathan Soimo. The trio holds three of the top 20 finishes in an 8K race in the MEAC this season. Luka’s time of 25:00.00 at the William and Mary Tribe Open was the fastest men’s time in the conference this year. Cheruiyot’s time of 25:01 and Jonathan Soimo’s time of 25:07 are the second and third top performances in the MEAC, respectively.
Both the Lady Pirates and Spartans won all three MEAC track titles (cross country, indoor and outdoor) last year. It was the second straight year that the Norfolk State men’s team accomplished the feat.
The MEAC Cross Country Championships will begin with the women’s five-kilometer (5K) course at 9:45 a.m. followed by the men’s eight-kilometer (8K) course at 10:30 a.m. Mount Trashmore Park is located at 310 Edwin Drive in Virginia Beach, Va. The event is free and open to the public.
