Final Results

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Kennesaw State men’s cross country team finished as runner ups at the Atlantic Sun Championship at the Percy Warner Park after placing three individuals in the top-10.

“This is a second place finish that I am happy with,” head coach Stan Sims said. “We beat the teams we prepared to beat and that’s all you can ask for as a coach.”

The Owls finished with a team total time of 2:08:47.46, less than one second behind first place USC Upstate, 2:07:56.04 as the Black and Gold averaged an 8k time of 25:45.50. The Spartans claimed the Universities first title by posing a score of 69 en route to dethroning the two-time defending champions KSU.

Nabil Hamid led the squad with a second place finish as the junior ran a time of 24:55.41. Senior Jaakko Nieminen finished just behind his teammate in third place running a time of 25:12.32, while Ryan Burruss crossed the finish line in eighth with a time of 25:36.90.  The three individuals were all awarded conference honors as Hamid and Nieminen were named to the All A-Sun Conference First Team while Burruss made the second team.

Senior Steven Murray was the next Owl to cross the finish line as he placed 28th with a time of 26:19.15. Freshman Josh Jenkins rounded out the scoring for the Black and Gold as he finished 38th with a time of 26.43.28. Jenkins was honored as a
member of the A-Sun All Freshmen Team as he finished in the top-five of all participating freshmen.

Sophomore Zachary Tupper finished six seconds behind Jenkins in 40th at 26:49.85, while sophomore Cole Jackob placed 51st running a time of 27:13.40 and freshman Brett Carter placed 66th at 28:04.02.

The Belmont Bruins finished third on their home track with Lipscomb finishing fourth and North Florida rounding out the top-five.

The Owls will have a two-week break before competing in the NCAA Regionals Nov. 12. For updates on the Regionals, you can follow the team on Twitter @KSUTrack&FieldXC.

Atlantic Sun Conference First Team: Gilbert Kemboi, USC Upstate - Runner of the Year Nabil Hamid, Kennesaw State Jaakko Nieminen, Kennesaw State Matt Miller, Belmont Filip Jalovy, ETSU - Freshman of the Year Davey Dennson, USC Upstate Mike Strasser, North Florida

Atlantic Sun Conference Second Team: Ryan Burruss, Kennesaw State Cameron Dickerson, North Florida Christian Ritacco, USC Upstate Isaiah Greer, Lipscomb Anders Ludvigsen, ETSU Ashton Fisher, Lipscomb Josh Helton, Belmont

Atlantic Sun Conference All-Freshman Team: Filip Jalovy, ETSU - Freshman of the Year Ryan Gadsey, Lipscomb Marcus Bridger-Wilkinson, Belmont Adam Chase, ETSU Josh Jenkins, Kennesaw State Carson Blackwelder, USC Upstate - Coach of the Year