Oklahoma State Repeats At NCAA XC Championships

Liberty University’s Sam Chelanga captured the men’s individual title.

Oklahoma State University won the men’s 2010 NCAA Cross-Country Championships that were held in Terre Haute, Indiana on Monday. In the individual race, Sam Chelanga of Liberty University , last year’s winner, crossed the line in first place. His time on the 10K course was 29:22.2. Chelanga, the clear pre-race favorite, had planned to lead from the start, but was challenged by  Arizona’s Stephen Sambu. With just 500 meters to go, Sambu tried to make a move, but Chelanga countered.

“He made a little surge toward the end, but I just clicked it and that was it,” Chelanga said, referring to Sambu. “It’s a great feeling, and I’m very thankful.”

Conditions were hardly perfect for the race with 20mph winds gusting throughout the undulating course.

In the women’s race, Villanova University proved victorious for the second year in a row. Their top runner, Sheila Reid, captured the overall title. She covered the 6K course in 20:06.9.

For More: Tribune-Star