Nov. 22, 2009

Meet Notes

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - On Monday, Nov. 23, the No. 3 Alabama men's cross country team will return to the NCAA Championships for the fourth consecutive year. The championship will be run on the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course at the Wabash Valley Family Sports Center and is being hosted by Indiana State University. The men's 10,000 meter race is slated for a 12:08 p.m. (EST) start.

The four consecutive years at the NCAA Championships is the longest streak of appearances for Alabama in school history. The Sycamores of Indiana State have hosted the NCAA Cross Country Championships in seven of the past eight years (2002, '04, '05, '06, '07, '08, `09) and are scheduled to host in 2010 as well.

The third-ranked Crimson Tide enters the championship with their highest ranking in school history this year. In 2007 and 2008, the men finished in the top 10 at the meet placing sixth and 10th, respectively. The sixth place finish is the current best finish for Alabama in school history.

Catch the Championships Live on VERSUS: The VERSUS network will be airing the championships live on television, Monday, Nov. 23. The NCAA will also be streaming the event live on the web at NCAA.com. This will mark the first time ever the cross country championship will be broadcast in High Definition. This is the third straight year the cross country championships will be broadcast on live television.

Earning All-American Status: The top 40 individuals, regardless of nationality in each race will earn All-American honors. Augustus Maiyo was the last Alabama athlete to be named All-American in 2007. The Crimson Tide have had eight All-Americans in school history - Tim Broe (1996, `99) and David Kimani (2000, `02) were named All-American twice.

Nationally Ranked Teams: The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) released the Pre-NCAA Coaches' Poll this week and the SEC is represented by three schools on the men's side. The NCAA Championships will feature No. 3 Alabama, No. 19 Arkansas and No. 25 Auburn in the men's 10,000 meter race. The Crimson Tide has not lost to an SEC opponent all season when running their best five athletes. The NCAA Championship field consists of the top 30 ranked teams and Ohio State who is also receiving votes in the polls.

Crimson Tide in the Rankings: The USTFCCCA Pre-NCAA Rankings were released on Nov. 17. Alabama returned to the No. 3 spot after being ranked sixth in the last three polls. Alabama's men were ranked No. 1 in the South Region rankings from the first poll to the last poll.

SEC Champions: Two weeks ago, the Alabama men claimed their second consecutive SEC Cross Country Championship and third title in school history - the other title in 1973. The Crimson Tide snuck by long- time conference powerhouse Arkansas by a score of 56-61. The Tide placing all five scoring runners in the top 17 with their top four men earning All-SEC honors. The men snapped Arkansas' consecutive conference title streak of 34 (dating back to the Southwest Conference) last season and became the first pro- gram to repeat other than Arkansas this season since Tennessee did so in 1989-90.

NCAA South Region Champions: Over the past decade, the Alabama men have been the dominant force in the South Region winning seven championships since 1999, including the four of the last five (2005, `07, `08, `09) The Tide turned in runner-up team finishes two of the remaining four years they did not win since 1999. The Crimson Tide have had their top five runners garner All-South Region honors in four of the past five years (2005, `07, `08, `09). After winning their third consecutive title in 2009, it marked the first time since 1999-01 that the Tide won three straight titles.

Alabama Men Recent History: The Crimson Tide is coming off back-to-back top 10 finishes at the NCAA Championships including its highest finish in school history of sixth in 2007. Alabama has also claimed the South Region Championship in four of the past five years including three straight. The Tide won the elusive SEC Championship in back-to-back years as well (2008, `09). Alabama also earned it's highest national ranking in school history in 2009 (3rd).

Joe Walker Accolades: Men's cross country coach Joe Walker is in his 10th season at the helm of the distance program at Alabama. Including this year, Walker has been named SEC Coach of the Year three times (2001, `08, `09) and South Region Coach of the Year five times (2000, '01, '07, '08, `09). He led the Tide to its third SEC Championship in school history this year as well as six South Region titles including two runner-up finishes. Walker also led Alabama to its highest national ranking in school history in 2009 (3rd) after leading them to a preseason ranking of fifth in 2008 (highest ranking at the time for Alabama).