Trojans Head to Bowling Green for Sun Belt Conference Championship

TROY, Ala. - The Troy men's and women's cross country teams will travel to Bowling Green, Ky. to compete in the Sun Belt Conference Championships on Saturday. The races will take place at Kereiakes Park with the women's 5K beginning at 10 a.m. followed by the men's 8K at 11 a.m.

“The race that we have been waiting for and training for all season is finally here,” said coach Jeff Jenkins. “The team has survived the heart of our training and now they're peaking and getting ready to race for points in Bowling Green. We are going into the race with realistic expectations. Even so, I believe that we will surprise some of the teams in the conference.”

The Trojan men are being led this season by juniors Enock Kirui and Kemper Morton. Morton has shown to be a consistent runner for the Trojans this season competing in all five races. Morton recorded a new personal best this season on a 6K course at the Auburn Invitational coming in 13^th with a time of 20:04.1. Morton also set a personal best on an 8K course while competing in the Azalea City Classic in Mobile, Ala. where he came in 12^th with a time of 26:23.50.

Kirui has been a force for the Trojans competing in four races this season. Kirui won the Coach “O” Invitational at Troy's own Trojan Oaks Golf Course with a time of 27:25.08. Kirui also recorded a new personal best on an 8K course at the Azalea City Classic with a time of 25:59.27 finishing sixth.

On the women's side, freshman Julia Ostendorf and senior Morgan Paulson have shown that they are true leaders for the Trojans. Ostendorf has been the top runner for the Trojans all season, winning the Coach “O” Invitational while setting a personal best on a 5K course with a time of 19:55.90. Ostendorf also set a personal best on a 6K course at the Florida State Invitational finishing 28^th with a time of 23:23.2.

Paulson has shown her seniority on the course, racing in five races this season. Paulson set a new personal best on a 4K course at the Auburn Invitational with a time 15:48.5 finishing 27^th. Morgan also set a personal best on a 6K course this season finishing 32^nd with a time of 23:28.1 at the Florida State Invitational.

“The regular season has been great and I have grown to love Troy and the team,” Jenkins said. “The athletes have looked great in the workouts; as long as they continue to trust me and have confidence in their ability, then we will come away with some real success on Saturday. This will be our first big test since I've been here. Go Trojans!”

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Troy University Athletics

Trojans Head to Bowling Green for Sun Belt Conference Championship

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