The season for most runners leads up to conference weekend. Conference is where bragging rights are won and where post season dreams are realized. Conference does not determine rather a team or individual moves on to the Regional meet. The Conference meet can give a confidence boost or a reality check before the Regional meet. As usual, I encourage readers to supplement my article by contributing their knowledge about various individuals, teams, and conferences.

CCAA - The Chico State men’s and women’s both captured the conference team title at the Glen Helen Regional Park on Saturday. The men’s cross country team continued its dominance of the California Collegiate Athletic Association winning its seventh straight title. The Wildcats scored 17 points, followed by  UC San Diego (72 )  and Cal Poly Pomona (84 ). All American and former member of the USA cross country team, Scott Bauhs, finished in a course record of 25:23.4 in the 8,000-meter run. He was followed by teammates Brendan Scanlon (25:23.8) and Angel Marquez (25:27.8).

The Chico State women scored a low 30 points, their top six runners taking 4th through 9th place. Chico State was followed by Cal State LA (52) and UC San Diego (76). It was Cal State LA’s Vivien Wadeck who took the women’s individual title in a time of 21:27.7 over the 6k course. She was followed by Cal Poly Pomona’s Tiffany Turner (21:45.1) and UC San Diego’s Bre Schofield (21:55.7).

CACC - On a very wet and rainy Saturday, the Felician College men's cross country team won its fifth straight Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) championship at Belmont Plateau in Philadelphia. They scored a total of 34 points and were followed by University of the Sciences (55) and Philadelphia University (71). It was Felician freshman, James Vander Welle, who took the individual title, finishing the 8k course in 26:43.92. He was followed by Wilmington’s Rodney Rosario (26:59.33) and Philadelphia’s Shawn D’Andrea (27:19.10).

The Philadelphia University women's cross country team won its first Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference championship with 47 points. They were followed by Georgian Court (61) and Felician (90).  Wilmington’s Danielle Burchan took the women’s individual title covering the 5k course in 19:38.24.  She was followed by Georgian Court’s Julianne Reilly (20:15.75) and Wilmington teammate, Mary Kate Mccaffery (20:18.39).

CIAA - Thursday, Virginia State won the men's championship and tied Saint Augustine's for the women's title at the 2008 CIAA Cross Country Championships at WakeMed Soccer Park. In the men's race, Virginia State scored 42 points to top Bowie State, which placed second with 58, while Shaw finished third with 91 points. In the women's race, Saint Augustine's and Virginia State both scored 39 points, and thus the race was declared a tie according to the NCAA Rulebook which states that ties in team scoring shall not be broken except for advancement to the championship finals. This means that the tie would have been broken had the race been the NCAA Regional Championships. Shaw finished third with 103 points

Saint Augustine’s Johnny Shupig took the men’s individual title in 24:23.4 over the 8k course.  He was followed by Virginia Union’s Geoffery Langat (26:13.5) and Bowie State’s Daryl Sanders (26:17.1).  Virginia State’s Jenna Arnold took the women’s individual title in 19:59.9 over the 5k course. She was followed by Saint Augustine’s Sharona Brown (20:28.1) and Livingston’s Winnie Chepchumba (21:01.0).

Conference Carolinas - With Queens absent, St. Andrews’ men won the conference title with 43 points. Lees-McRae was a close second with 48 points, followed by Erskine with 78 points. Mitch Cooper of St. Andrews claimed the individual title with a time of 26:51 over the 8k course. He was followed by Erskine’s Adam Groblewski (27:12) and St. Andrews's teammate, Pedro Tapia, who claimed third (27:29).

Lees - McRae’s women claimed the women’s conference title with 48 points and were followed by Converse (78) and Anderson (94). Anderson University freshman Whitney Bishoff took the individual title with a time of 18:55 over the 5k course. St. Andrew’s Alyson Trovato finished second (19:20) and was followed by Lees- McRae’s Dana Lindholm (19:52).

East Coast Conference - The Adelphi University Panthers claimed both the men's and women's cross country titles at the 2008 East Coast Conference Cross Country Championships held at Sunken Meadow State Park on Saturday. The men’s team captured the team title with 30 total points. NYIT took second with 48 points and were followed by St. Thomas Aquinas (84). NYIT’s freshman Amos Kipkosgei (26:47.63) took the men’s title in the 5 mile run, barely besting teammate Nicholas Koiyet (26:47.65). Adelphi’s Angel Ortega was third (27:30.00).

Adelphi women took home the team title with 20 points with their top five runners finishing in the top seven. The C.W. Post Pioneers came in second overall with 81 points and Dowling was third with 84 points. Adelphi’s Ify Anene took the women’s title in 19:32 over the 5k course. She was followed by NYIT’s Jackine Toek (19:52) and freshman Adelphi, Kristen Wojtuniak (20:17).

GLIAC - Grand Valley State’s men and women claimed both team titles Saturday. The men’s team captured the title with 31 points. Wayne State was second (69) and Ashland was third (90).  Grand Valley’s Chris Hammer took the individual title covering the 8k course in 25:00.  He was followed by Hillsdale’s Timothy Jagielski (25:03.1) and Grand Valley teammate Tyler Emmorey (25:03.9).

Grand Valley’s women finished with a total of 25 points to win the team title. Wayne State (66) was second and Ferris State (121) was third. Wayne State’s Rachelle Malette took the individual title covering the 6k course in 21:24.8. She was followed by Northwood’s Kylen Cieslak (21:38.9) and Grand Valley’s Megan Maceratini (21:42.9).

Great Lakes Valley Conference - University of Southern Indiana claimed both the men’s and women’s cross country titles. In the men’s team title competition they scored 26 points and were followed by Northern Kentucky (63) and Drury University (66).  Drury sophomore, Jaime Villa Zapatero , took the individual title covering the 8k course in 25:47.83. He was followed by Northern Kentucky’s Drew Harris (25:55.03) and University of Southern Indiana’s Dustin Emerick (26:02.54).

University of Southern Indiana’s women scored 39 points to take the team title and were followed by UW Parkside (64) and Northern Kentucky (80). UW Parkside’s Jessica Monson claimed the individual title covering the 6k course in 20:43.56. She was followed by University of Southern Indiana’s Mary Ballinger (20:59.43) and Lewis’s Kathryn Hague (21:54.54).

Great Northwest Athletic Conference - In the men's race, University of Alaska Anchorage dethroned two-time champion Western Washington 34 to 53, placing four runners in the top six. This was Alaska’s  first team title since 2005. Third place was Western Oregon (78). University of Alaska Anchorage’s Marko Cheseto finished 37 seconds ahead of teammate Jake Parisien in an 8k time of 24:30. Parisien finished in 25:07 and teammate Alfred Kangogo finished third in 25:08.

Seattle Pacific edged out University of Alaska Anchorage 48 to 52 to win its fourth consecutive women's team title. Western Washington was third (75). Seattle Pacific’s Jessica Pixler, the defending NCAA champion, took the individual title in 21:12 over the 6k course. She was followed by Western Washington’s Sarah Porter (21:51) and her Seattle Pacific teammate Jane Larson (22:06).

Gulf South - Friday at Veteran’s Park, Harding University’s men’s team turned in a perfect team score of 15 to claim their eighth Gulf South Conference Cross Country Championship in the past nine years. University of Alabama Huntsville (64) was second, followed by West Georgia (92). Harding’s Daniel Kirwa took the individual title covering the 8k course in 24:30. Philip Biwott finished second with a time of 25:12 while Artur Kern was third (25:14).

Harding University’s women celebrated their fourth consecutive Gulf South Conference Cross Country Championship Friday at Veteran's Park. Harding claimed the top three individual spots for a 22 total points. Alabama-Huntsville finished second in the fifteen team event with 65 points. Arkansas Tech was the only other school in the double-figures with 76 points.  Harding junior Esther Komen turned in the top time of 18:53 while her teammate Mary Samoei finished in 19:04. Rounding out the Lady Bisons' trio was freshman Gladys Kimtai with a time of 19:09.

Lone Star - Abilene Christian prevailed in the men's 7,700-meter race for the 18th straight year, securing the team title with 17 points. Tarleton State University came out on top in a close race for second place with 77 points and Texas A&M-Commerce was third with 78 points. Abilene Christian junior Daniel Maina crossed the tape in a time of 23:32 to earn the top individual honors.  His teammates, Cleophas Tanui and Julius Nyango, were close behind at 23:39 and 23:40 respectively.

Midwestern State claimed the women's crown for the first time at the Lone Star Conference Cross Country Championships Saturday in Kingsville, Texas. Midwestern State placed five runners in the top twenty to score 58 points. West Texas A&M narrowly held off East Central University for second place, 84 to 94. Abilene Christian boasted the top two individuals in the conference.  Sophomore Winrose Karunde easily won the 6k race in a time of 21:39. She was followed by teammate Loice Cheboi in a time of 22:15.  West Texas A&M’s Jeniffer Cherono took third in a time of 22:21.

MIAA - With a trio of runners placing in the top eight, the Southwest Baptist Bearcats captured their first MIAA Men's Cross Country Championship Saturday morning at Keth Memorial Golf Course with 63 points. They were followed by Pittsburg State (84) and Missouri Southern (86). Pittsburg State’s MJ Hassaballa won the individual title, covering the 8k course in 25:28.09. He was followed by Missouri Southern’s Brennan Benkert (25:36.07) and Fort Hays State’s Jay Lindal (25:44.73).

The Missouri Southern Lions had three competitors finish in the top 10, paced by the individual champion, Kimi Shank, to capture their third straight MIAA Women's Cross Country Championship Saturday morning at Keth Memorial Golf Course. The Lions claimed a 30-point victory over runner-up Pittsburg State, 42 to 72. Southwest Baptist was third with 83 points. Missouri Southern junior Kimi Shank won the 6k race with a time of 21:54.14. She was followed by Truman’s Danna Kelly (22:38.22) and Southwest Baptist’s Courtney Ayers (22:57.05).

Northeast 10 - The University of Massachusetts Lowell claimed both the men's and women's team championship titles at the annual Northeast-10 Cross Country Championships hosted by Saint Michael's College. The UMass Lowell men claimed their third straight Northeast-10 Team Championship with 31 points. Stonehill finished second with 52 and  Southern Connecticut State University took third place with 64 points. UMass Lowell senior Ruben Sanca helped lead his team to the title, as he claimed the men’s individual championship with an 8k time of 24:33. Stonehill’s Kevin Gill finished second behind Sanca with a time of 25:04, while Southern Connecticut’s Chris Croff finished third with a time of 25:12.

UMass Lowell edged out Stonehill by a slight margin (46-51) to claim the team championship. Saint Rose took third place with 98 points. Bentley senior Melissa Nash claimed the individual championship with a time of 18:19 in the 5k race. UMass Lowell’s Christina DaLomba finished took second in a time of 18:30, placing just ahead of teammate Sarah Brassard who finished at 18:38.

Northern Sun - Led by the first-place finisher, junior James Krajsa, the Minnesota State men’s team placed five individuals in the top ten finishers to claim to the 2008 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Championship with 22 points.  Augustana College was second with 74 points and Wayne State College was third with 108 points.  Minnesota State’s James Krajsa took the individual title, covering the 8k course in 25:28.35. He was followed by teammate Denise Mokaya (25:31.80) and Wayne State’s Nate Preston (25:45.85).

Augustana women's cross country team placed five runners in the top ten to win the conference title with 32 points.  They were followed by University of Minnesota-Duluth (56) and Minnesota State University (105). Minnesota Duluth's Morgan Place became the eighth Bulldog to claim an NSIC individual title by running the 6K course in 21:46.80. She was followed by teammate Liz Palkie (22:30.45). Augustana’s Alyssa Anderson was third in 22:39.00.

Pacific West - Despite the rain and mud, Hawaii Pacific came away with the men’s team title, scoring 26 points at the Hawaiian Airlines Pacific West Conference Championships. Following them was BYU-Hawaii with 49 points and  UH-Hilo with 56 points. Edward Taragon Kibet crossed the line first for Academy of Art in 25:06.

The Brigham Young University Hawaii's women's cross country team took the team title with 29 points. Taking second and third place respectively were Hawaii Pacific with 36 points and UH-Hilo with 59. BYU-Hawaii's Amanda Whitford successfully defended her conference title by completing the 5K course in 18:22.

Peach Belt - For the third straight year, the Columbus State men’s and women’s cross country teams won the Peach Belt Conference Championship, which was run on the West Campus Course at Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville on Saturday. Columbus State’s men scored 26 points, placing their top five in the top eight. Columbus State’s David Marely was the surprise winner of the men’s race, covering the 8k course in 27:18.47. It was the junior’s first win of the season. He was followed by Clayton State’s Joey Chino (27:20.10) and Francis Marion’s Hillary Kiprop (27:26.38).

The Columbus State women won their fourth straight PBC title with 33 points. Augusta State finished second with 54, while North Georgia was third with 110. Clayton State’s Allison Kreutzer claimed her second conference title (she also won her freshmen year), covering the 5k course in 19:25.20. She was followed by Augusta State’s Jenafer Forward (19:54.70) and Columbus State’s Kandace Smith (20:32.80).

RMAC - Adams State College won their seventh straight Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Women's Cross Country Championship title and their fourth consecutive RMAC Men's Cross Country Championship title at Grand Junction, Colorado. The men scored 20 points by placing their top five runners in the top eight. Western State was second with 49 points followed by Colorado School of the Mines with 81 points. Aaron Braun took the conference title covering the 8k course in 24:35.3. He was followed by teammate Brian Medigovich (24:59.1) and New Mexico Highland’s Laurent Ngirakamaro (25:10.0).

The Adams State’s women's team won the 6K race with 29 points, followed by Western State (47) and Mesa State (108). Adams State’s Lavenna Mullenbach took the conference title covering the 6k course in 21:22.9. She was followed by UC-Colorado Spring’s Shannon Payne (21:28.8) and Adams State teammate Heather Wood (21:38.5).

SAC - A day after a tornado hit, Mars Hill College stormed the 2008 South Atlantic Conference Men’s Cross Country Championship, held on Saturday morning at the Crooked Creek Park, claiming their 12th consecutive team title. The Lions scored 31 points to beat runner-up Wingate University (50 points). Lenoir Rhyne was third with 84 points. Wingate’s Jayce Watson covered the muddy 8k course in a time of 26:18. He was followed by Tusculum’s Simon Holzapfel (26:26) and Lenoir Rhyne’s Jake Maidens (26:37).

Lenoir - Rhyne University took the 2008 South Atlantic Conference Women’s Cross Country Championship, their first team title in school history. Wingate was second with 63 points, followed by Carson-Newman with 88 points.  Carson-Newman’s Aubrey Morris claimed her second straight SAC title, covering the 5k course in 18:35. Lenoir Rhyne’s Kate Griewisch was second in 19:14 and was followed by Brevard’s Alycia Andrade in 19:33.

SIAC - The Benedict College men’s team took the conference title. Morehouse finished in second and Fort Valley State and Kentucky State tied for third place. Toroitich Dickson ran a season best time of 26:02.8  over the 8k course to win the event. Oneil Williams took second in the race in a time of 26:26.8. Abraham Kiprotich was the lone Morehouse runner to place in the top five, finishing third with a time of 26:31.8.

Llonisha Lee captured her third SIAC Cross Country Championship leading her team to its sixth consecutive SIAC Women’s title. Clark Atlanta finished in second while Fort Valley State finished in third. Lee covered the  course in 20:56.8. She was followed by teammates Asia Hollingsworth (21:19.9) and Crystal Lemon (21:25.1).

Sunshine State - The University of Tampa and Florida Southern College each claimed a team title at the 2008 Sunshine State Conference Championships, which was hosted by UT at Brandon Trails. In men’s action, FSC took their 12th straight title with 29 points and were followed by Tampa (51) and Nova Southeastern (60).  FSC’s Scott Mackley took top honors covering the 8k course in 25:01. He was followed by Nova Southeastern’s Jeffery Palmer (25:07) and Tampa’s Tony Nicolosi (25:09).

Tampa’s women won the meet for the second consecutive year with 21 points. They were followed by Flordia Southern (76) and Nova Southeastern (77). Tampa’s Jessica Forrester took top honors covering the 6k course in 21:33. She was followed by Florida Southern’s Carolyne Kwambai (22:05) and Tampa’s Heather Nicolosi (22:18).

WVIAC - West Virginia Wesleyan made a splash, sweeping the WVIAC Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships at Wheeling Park.  West Virginia Wesleyan’s men scored 40 points and were followed by Wheeling Jesuit (78) and Concord (96). Alderson-Broaddus junior Ryan Skotnicki took the men's 8k event in a time of 27:25. He was followed by Wesleyan's Nate Edwards (27:32) and Wheeling Jesuit’s Dustin Hall (27:42).

The West Virginia Wesleyan’s women scored 41 points over Alderson-Broaddus (48). Wheeling Jesuit was third (75). Wesleyan's Brenna Hagerty, a junior in her first season of collegiate cross country, held off a hard-charging Chelsea Hanne from Alderson-Broaddus to win the women's 6k race.  Hagerty finished in a time of 23:48, two seconds ahead of Hanne (23:50).West Virginia Wesleyan’s Allison Teter was third (23:53).