ECU men land on top of GAC Cross Country poll
Aug. 18—RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. — On Tuesday, the Great American Conference announced the results of its 2023 GAC men's cross country preseason coaches poll.
East Central received all seven available first-place votes from the league's head coaches to enter the fall as the favorite.
A season ago, the Tigers captured their eighth GAC Championship in the 12 seasons. Amos Pkiach (the GAC Runner of the Year), Oliver Kiptoo and Melvin Kipkemboi captured the top three places to lead a 26-point victory. Kiptoo then qualified for the NCAA National Championships as an individual — just the second GAC male to advance as an individual. Michael Iyali also returns after a sixth-place finish and a First-Team All-GAC selection. Aspel Kiprob won the 5,000-meter run at the GAC Track & Field Championships.
"We appreciate the recognition as preseason favorites," head coach Steve Sawyer said. "At the same time, we know and accept the work that lies ahead to make it a reality."
In all, the Tigers return 11 runners from the 2022 championship team.
Harding took second in the poll. The Bisons return all six of their 2022 All-GAC performers in Noah Haileab, Luke Walling, Zach Reed, Jackson Pruim, Nathan Perry and Matt Ingalsbe. Haileab garnered the Freshman of the Year after taking fifth at the GAC Championships. Walling and Reed also landed on the All-GAC First Team.
Ouachita Baptist edged out Oklahoma Baptist for third place. The Tigers' Whit Lawrence has registered consecutive top-10 showings at the GAC Championships while Evan Armitage and Cade Swindle landed on the All-GAC Second Team. The Bison's Maxamillian Wheeler returns having finished second at each of the last two GAC Championships. Carson Kardokus and Samuel Fantoni each ran onto the All-GAC Second Team.
Southern Arkansas took fifth in the voting. Northwestern Oklahoma State, Southern Nazarene and Arkansas-Monticello rounded out the poll.
East Central and Oklahoma Baptist race for the first time on Thursday, August 31 when both head to Rogers State's meet in Claremore.
Southern Arkansas runs as Mississippi College one day later while Harding and Ouachita Baptist each travel to Memphis for the Christian Brothers meet. Northwestern Oklahoma State and Southern Nazarene take to the course for the first time at Cameron's event on Friday, September 8.
The GAC Championships takes place on Saturday, October 21 with Arkansas Tech hosting for the second time.
