PAUL AND HOWELL TOP HEARTLAND FIELD

   The Heartland Conference Championship cross country meet was heavy at the top with Blue Tigers.  Nessa Paul and Kaydian Howell placed first and second, respectively.  Out of the seven teams competing, Lincoln University finished fifth on Oct. 21 in Billings, Mont.  The Blue Tigers gained 98 points in the five kilometer race; missing fourth place by three points (Dallas Baptist, 95 points).

   For their outstanding performances, Paul and Howell were named to the All-Heartland Conference Cross Country Team.  Paul was also selected as the 2006 Heartland Conference Runner of the Year.

   Paul, a senior from Soufriere, St. Lucia was individual champion in a time of 19:03.  Kaydian Howell (so., Jamaica) was runner up in a season best time of 19:36.

   The hosts for the championship event, Montana State University-Billings captured the Heartland Conference Championship by placing five runners between fourth place and 11th.  The

Yellowjackets 39 points was 23 points in front of second place Incarnate Word (62 points).

   A total of 55 competitors ran in the women’s race. 

   Three additional Blue Tigers posted season-best times; Thelma Smith completed the course 29th (23:06), Samonia Clemons crossed the finish line 32nd (23:32) and Shelly Ann Berth ended in 34th (23:55).  Monique Robinson was 40th in 25:00. 

   The Blue Tigers were initially scheduled to compete in the NCAA Division II South Cent.ral Regional meet on Nov. 4 in Warrensburg, Mo., but are not.  Lincoln University now has a three-week layoff before running in the HBCU Championship event on Nov. 11 at the Coca-Cola Fields in Indianapolis, Ind. 

   As of Nov. 2, the Blue Tigers will not be participating in the HBCU Championships on Nov. 11, their season ended with the running of the Heartland Conference Championship race on Oct. 21

TEAM                           TOP FIVE RUNNERS                             TOTAL POINTS             PLACE
MSU-Billings                 4, 6, 8, 10, 11                                         39                                 1st

Incarnate Word              3, 9, 12, 15, 23                                       62                                 2nd

St. Mary’s                     5, 7, 16, 20, 24                                       72                                 3rd

Dallas Baptist                13, 14, 21, 22, 25                                   95                                 4th

Lincoln University           1, 2, 29, 32, 34                                      98                                 5th

St. Edward’s                  26, 27, 35, 38, 42                                  168                               6th

Okla. Panhandle St.       18, 31, 41, 43, 44                                  177                               7th