September 25, 2006

JACKSON, Miss. - The Jackson State men's cross country team has opened the 2006 season with four consecutive wins, picking up where last year's track program left off. The most recent of the victories came this weekend as the Tigers took first place in the JSU Invitational with 18 points.

Mississippi Valley and Alcorn State finished second and third with 57 and 62 points respectively. Millsaps College came in fourth (81) and Southern University finished fifth (114).

JSU's Eric Speer was the individual first place finisher for the third time this season, with a time of 28:26. J-State had four other runners to round of the top five. Courtney Irby (28:46), William Johnson (29:09), Jamal Jones (29:15), Kevin Itima (31:41) each helped JSU to dominate the top finishes.

Head coach Dr. Edmond Donald isn't surprised by his team's undefeated start.

"These guys know how to get it done," said Donald. "They've worked hard. They train to win and that's why we've been successful so far."

The Tigers will see their next action at the Memphis Twilight Invitational hosted by the University of Memphis on October 7. There JSU will compete in a field of 30 teams.

Jackson State will host the 2006 SWAC Cross Country Championship on October 30 at 9 a.m. at Choctaw Trails in Clinton, Mississippi.

"I want us to have a true home team advantage," said Donald. "We want everyone to get involved."