Cross Country to run at Saturday's South Regional

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee's Festus Chemaoi will look to become the first two-time NCAA Cross Country Championship qualifier in program history as he and teammates Chris Mason and Justin Cacaro run Saturday at the NCAA South Regionals at Veteran's Park in Hoover, Ala.

"We use this as a reward for our runners a shot at NCAA qualification," said head coach Dean Hayes. "They have worked hard all season, and this is a chance to compete against some of the best in runners in the South."

In 2009, the Ainobkoi, Kenya native became the first Blue Raider runner in 38 years to qualify for an NCAA Cross Country Championships. The senior native placed 13th overall last season in a time of 30:38.50. Chemaoi would go on to finish 146th overall at the NCAA Cross Country Championships.

Mason placed 46th at the 2009 NCAA South Regionals in a time of 32:09.05. Cacaro finished 102nd in 33:36.88 last season competing for UT-Martin.

Results and coverage for the 2010 NCAA South Regionals will be available post-race at GoBlueRaiders.com.

Friend of the Blue Raiders? Like us on Facebook and become part of the True Blue army today.