Nov. 21, 2005

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - California senior Giliat Ghebray placed 63rd at the NCAA Cross Country Championships Monday at the Wabash Family Sports Center. This year's nationals were hosted by Indiana State.

Ghebray toured the 10K course in a time of 30:39.5 in his first national championship appearance and the first by a Cal men's cross country runner since Girmay Guangul in 2000. Arizona's Obed Mutanya (95th), who finished second at the 2005 NCAA West Regional, was among the runners Ghebray held off today. There were 253 runners who competed at nationals.

A product of Union City, Calif., Ghebray earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Championships by placing 15th at the NCAA West Regional Nov. 12 in a time of 30:38.2 on the 10K course.

Wisconsin's Simon Bairu won his second straight individual national title in a time of 29:15.9, while Iona's Richard Kiplagat took second in 29:21.9. The Badgers easily won the men's team championship with 37 points, and Arkansas finished second with 105 points.