PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - The Bethune-Cookman men's and women's cross country teams open competition in Princess Anne, Md. for the final 2012 regular season meet, battling it out in the MEAC Cross Country Championships. 2011 Individual Champion Kadian Dunkley looks to defend her title, and her times in her senior campaign place her in good position for the repeat.
Dunkley has her sights set on title defense, but is not shy to admit that there are some pre-race jitters.
“I'm a little nervous right now, but I'm hoping for the best,” Dunkley said “I'm just going in trying my best to defend my Championship.”
At present, she ranks second among all MEAC times, trailing Morgan State's Ishakeema Swain by just under two seconds with a 18:39.4 in the 5k. Heading into 2011's Championships, Dunkley ranked fifth and executed the perfect strategy, outkicking all challengers for the title win.
However, Dunkley's times are already in the range that won her last season's meet, unlike 2011.
“Her times are already there,” Bethune-Cookman Distance Coach Garon Jackson said. “The work has been done. Now it's up to her to perform. At a Championship, anything can happen.”
Trying to garner a top finish will go a long way toward giving the Wildcats the opportunity to move up the standings, running with a more competitive squad this season. Behind Dunkley are former South Plains College teammate Kirsten Taylor and sophomore Morgan Brown, with season-best times in the 5k of 21:21 and 21:52, respectively, and an added push from junior Alexys Lewis (top time of 21:58).
“I think we have a pretty good shot of moving up,” Jackson said. “We're prepared and it's been a hard couple of weeks for us, working to improve as a team. I'm looking for some pretty good times from individuals.”
On the men's side, sophomore Ricy Brown has been a consistent leader for the team, similar to 2011, in which he finished 18th in the MEAC Championships. His top time in the 8k in 2012 is 27:40, placing him just outside the top 20. Curtis Riggins is the next Wildcats runner in the pack, with a top 2012 time of 29:51.
Both teams finished 10th overall at the 2011 meet.
The MEAC Cross Country Championships will begin at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore on Saturday, Oct. 27, with the women's 5k race at 9:45 a.m. followed by the men's 8k race at 10:30 a.m.
For all the latest information on the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats and updates from the MEAC Championships, follow the official Twitter feed, @BCUathletics, or "Like Us" on Facebook at Bethune-Cookman Athletics.
