Oct. 22, 2004

Cary, NC - North Carolina Central completed its climb to championship status with a slim one-point victory over St. Augustine's to capture its first-ever CIAA Men's Cross Country Championship. Both WSSU cross-country teams turned in impressive ninth-place finishes. Two years ago, the Eagles finished third, and last year, they were runners up to St. Augustine's, falling three points short of first place.

This year, the Eagles had the best overall score with five runners finishing in the top 10 positions.

St. Augustine's Larry Marshall defended his individual title by finishing first for the his second consecutive year with a time of 24:28.19 over the 8K course.. Marshall is a veteran of the championships having finished first or second for the past three years.

St. Augustine's women returned to the top as the Lady Falcons defended their title from last year.

The Lady Falcons placed five runners in the top nine spots to easily outdistance Shaw. St. Aug's women have won six of the past eight championships, falling to second place in 2000 and 2002.

North Carolina Central's Yolanda Barber won the women's individual title with a time of 19:43.4 over the 5K course. Barber's win gives NCCU its fifth individual title in the past six years.

The Rams and Lady Rams were not as successful as some of their CIAA counterparts, but turned in very respectable ninth place finishes. The Rams finished ahead of Fayetteville State, Elizabeth City State and Johnson C. Smith while the Lady Rams ran past ESCU and Fayetteville State.

The Rams and Lady Rams will retire for the season and will resume running in the spring of 2005.

For additional information on WSSU cross-country, contact the WSSU Office of Sports Information at (336) 750-2143.