RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – On Tuesday, the Great American Conference released the results of the 2024 GAC men’s cross country ballot. Two-time reigning champion East Central received all seven available first-place votes to enter the season as the preseason favorite.
In 2023, the Tigers became the first men’s team to win the GAC Championships with a perfect score of 15. They won the team title at the NCAA Division II Central Region Championships by 72 points and took third at the NCAA National Championships. They return all seven runners that ran in the top 10 at the GAC Championships and scored at the NCAA Championships. Aspel Kiprob won the individual title at the GAC Championships and ran sixth at the National Championships. Peter Kipkemboi claimed the title at the Regional Championships following a third-place showing at the GAC Championships. Amos Pkiach took second at the GAC Championships and third at the Regional. Paul Korir finished fourth at the GAC Championships and 16th at the Regional. Oliver Kiptoo ran fifth at the GAC meet and eighth at the Regional. Michael Iyali finished seventh at the GAC Championships and Melvin Kipkemboi followed up a ninth-place result at the GAC Championships with a 21st-place showing at the Regional.
Harding finished second in the poll. The Bisons took third at the 2023 GAC Championships and finished with a ninth-place showing at the Regionals. Luke Walling placed eighth at the GAC Championships and 20th the Regionals to earn First-Team All-GAC and All-Region honors. Arnaud des Boscs, Zach Reed and Nathan Perry all return following Second-Team All-GAC performances.
Oklahoma Baptist picked up one first-place vote and claimed third in the voting. The Bison edged out the Bisons by one point at the GAC Championships and took second. They return a pair of First-Team All-GAC runners in Maxamillian Wheeler and Emory Crayton. Wheeler became a three-time First-Team honoree after he ran sixth at the GAC Championships. Crayton finished 10th and garnered the league’s Freshman of the Year honor. Carson Kardokus and James Williams each return after placing on the All-GAC Second Team.
Ouachita Baptist finished fourth. The Tigers bring back three runners that earned Second-Team All-GAC honors a season ago in Gabriel Greenwich, Whit Lawrence and Dylan Dew.
Northwestern Oklahoma State placed fifth, followed by Southern Arkansas, Southern Nazarene and Arkansas-Monticello. The Rangers’ Christian Franklin returns following a Second-Team All-GAC season.
The 2024 GAC Cross Country Championships takes place on Saturday, October 26. East Central hosts for the third time in program history. The Tigers hosted in 2012 and 2014 and won the team title both years.
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