Oct. 3, 2006

BEAUMONT - After several strong performances this fall, the Lamar University men's cross country team has been ranked third in the South Central Region by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

In addition to their No.3 ranking in the region, the LU men are 10th in the others receiving vote's column in the national Top 30 poll.

Lamar has won two meets this season, running to championships at the Rice Invitational in Houston, and at the NSU Invitational in Natchitoches, La. In addition to their two team titles, the Cardinals posted a 12th place finish at the Griak Invitational, hosted by the University of Minnesota.

Leading the way for the Cards this season has been Samuel Kosgei, who has individual titles at Rice and NSU, and finished sixth at the Griak Invitational. Francis Kasagule, Frank Bwambale and Danny Shaw have also finished strong for Lamar this season, with all three turning in two top 10 performances.

Leading the way in the South Central Region is Arkansas, followed by the University of Texas and then Lamar. Other Southland Conference schools ranking in the top 15 in the region were Stephen F. Austin (5th), Sam Houston State (6th), Texas A&M Corpus Christi (10th) and UT-San Antonio (14th).

The Cardinals will be in action again on October 14, when they run at the Chili Pepper Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark.