KENNESAW, Ga.-  Showing the rest of the Atlantic Sun Conference why they were the team to beat all season, the men’s cross country team repeated their championship ways from last season, winning the title for the second time since joining the conference in 2005.

Running for the first time this season at Millikin Research Park in Spartanburg, S.C., three Owl runners finished in the top ten, Nabil Hamid, Jaakko Nieminen and Piotr Witczak who were also named First Team All-Conference. Head cross country coach Stan Sims was also honored with Men’s A-Sun Coach of the Year for the second straight season.

Picked to win the conference since the beginning of the 2010 season, the team saw strong competition from second and third place finishers Belmont and North Florida but Kennesaw State’s depth proved to be the winning factor for the team. Coach Sims knew the team had it in them all along but their teamwork was truly what helped them bring the trophy home again.

“The guys went out and did what they were supposed to do,” Sims said. “Considering the depth we have with our men, it was great to see our other guys step up. Dylan and Zach as freshmen performed really well. They weren’t going to be denied the finish line. Nabil, Jaakko and Piotr provided the leadership they needed to today. They proved that they are the top runners in the league. Every guy contributed in some way to the win, whether they had a good race or bad. The whole team contributed to the win whether in training or in spirit. I am just really pleased with the team effort they put in.”

Coming in second place, an improvement of one spot from last year, Hamid would start the trail of Owls that would continue to cross the line. Hamid’s time of 24:41.66 would tie his personal record of earlier this season at the Greater Louisville Classic. Right behind Hamid was Nieminen in third at 24:44.22. Running his last conference championship senior Witczak landed in seventh with an 8k personal record of 25:11.88. The top ten finishes gave the trio their second All-Conference recognitions.

“I feel so good about the race and was happy with my time since I was able to repeat a solid time I had in Louisville,” said Hamid.  “We did what coach told us to do and just acted upon his philosophy. I want to thank my teammates for working with me because we couldn’t do it without each other and without teamwork. I just like to abide by the quote ‘run like you live…fast’ and that helped me in the race.”

Finishing the race close behind the top three, sophomore Ryan Burruss was the fourth Owl to cross the line in 16th place at 25:35.78. Providing the final score to secure the win, freshmen Dylan Swafford ran a spectacular race landing in 27th with a personal record time of 26:04.66. His personal record was an improvement of over a minute on his time from earlier in the season.

This race was particularly special to senior co-captains Nathan Haskins and Witczak. Having seen the program change as they reclassified to Division I, they are a true testement to its growth. Knowing that this was his second to last race as an Owl with cross country, Witzcak is taking a lot away from the experience.

“I was really looking forward to this race,” Witczak “It was tough because I was excited for the race but sad because it was my last conference championship since I am a senior. I really wanted to run and challenge people on the course. I am really happy for my performance on a not so easy course. The other side is the realization that I have one race left before I am done with KSU cross country so I went in knowing that I wanted to race well and have no regrets. I wanted to race well for the coaches too and try to leave a positive impression of myself with them and make them proud. Now we are looking forward to Regionals where I think we can do well because of how well we performed today.”


Team Results

1 Kennesaw State- 55 points

2 Belmont - 68 points

3 Upstate - 80 points  

4 North Florida - 98 points

5 Campbell - 114 points

6 East Tenn. St. - 137 points

7 Mercer  - 163 points   
                                                 
8 Florida Gulf Coast  -200 points 
                                                 
9 Lipscomb - 214 points 
                                                  
10 Stetson - 324 points

11 Jacksonville - 334 points



Individual Results

2. Nabil Hamid- 24:41.66

3. Jaakko Nieminen- 24:44.22

7. Piotr Witczak- 25:11.88

16. Ryan Burruss- 25:35.78

27. Dylan Swafford-26:04.66

35. Steven Murray- 26:17.75

39. Nathan Haskins- 26:27.93

41. Zach Tupper- 26:29.84

53. Andrew Greeson- 26:51.40


All-Atlantic Sun Conference First Team: Nabil Hamid, Jaakko Nieminen, Piotr Witczak
Atlantic Sun Men's Coach of the Year: Stan Sims


To see a post race interview featuring Coach Sims and Nabil Hamid, click here