Pipestem,WV-Concord University\'s Men\'s Cross Country team looks to defend its WVIAC title this week as they host the 2005 WVIAC Cross Country Championships held at Pipestem State Park. Coach Mike Cox\'s team has ran very well this season and have also had solid performances against many Division I teams.
It looks as if the title will be decided by periennal powers such as: Concord, Alderson-Broaddus, and West Virginia Wesleyan. All three teams have had a great year and are eager to run in the conference championship. These three teams have been atop the conference rankings the last few years and look to provide a very competitve race to see who is crowned WVIAC Champion this year. Davis & Elkins and Univerisity of Charleston also look to have solid teams coming into this week as well.
Nick Bias and Michael Smutko, the two returning upperclassmen runners for Concord, look to lead the Mountain Lions this Friday in their attempt to repeat as WVIAC Champions. Both were a key part in last year\'s run for Concord\'s first Cross Country Championship since 1968. Bias and Smutko, along with freshman Jose Schultz, all hail from Boone County, West Virginia where they train together in the summer. Along with the Boone County natives, freshman Matt Dunlap(Highland,IN)and sophomore Randy Horner(Hopewell,VA), Coach Cox is looking for a spectacular performance from his team. Schultz, Dunlap, and Horner have all had a great season this fall running and look to do even better at the Conference Championshiops. Freshman Lance McDaniel(Pulaski,VA) and Jonathon Yost(Princeton,WV) have also had solid performances throughout the year and look to continue that this week.
Concord University is serving as this year\'s host at the WVIAC Cross Country Championships at Pipestem State Park.
The women\'s 5k race starts at 1:00 PM and the men\'s 8k race starts at 12:00 PM. The location of the course at Pipestem State Park is directly across from the horse stables and campgrounds. Coach Mike Cox invites every student at Concord University and area people to attend the races. It is a great opportunity to support your school and the men\'s & women\'s cross country teams. Pipestem State Park is approximately 7 miles from Athens. Directions: Athens\' Exit 14 off Intersate 77.