UT women top pick in MAC cross country

8/21/2003

Two-time defending MAC women's cross country champion Toledo has been picked to retain its Mid-American Conference title in a vote by the league's coaches. It is the fourth straight year UT's women have been picked to win the league.

The Rocket men were predicted to finish sixth out of 12 schools. UT's men are looking to improve on their seventh-place finish at the league meet last year.

The UT women will be led by senior Everlyne Lagat, who was an All-American in cross country at Washington State in 2001 and an NCAA finalist in the 5,000 meters last spring. Two top finishers from last year's team, both sophomores, also return - MAC 10,000-meter champion Chris Tye (13th at the MAC cross country meet last year) and Erica Moriarty (16th last year).

The Rocket men are led by senior Abraham Habte, who finished in 19th place at the MAC meet last year.

Both teams are coached by Kevin Hadsell, and both begin Aug. 30 at Eastern Michigan.