LSU’s Dayile Qualifies For NCAA XC Championships

DENTON, Texas — LSU cross country standout Likhaya Dayile became the first Tiger since 1994 to qualify for the NCAA Championships on Saturday, finishing third at the NCAA South Central Regional Championships in Denton, Texas. As a team, the Tigers finished sixth and failed to qualify, as did the Lady Tigers who finished 12^th in the women’s competition.

Dayile becomes the first Tiger since Passmore Furusa in 1994 to represent the Tigers at the NCAA Championships, which will be held in Ames, Iowa on Nov. 20.

“Likhaya ran very well today, it was a good run for him,” said LSU coach Mark Elliott. “As a team, we ran well for the conditions, but I thought we could have done much better as a team. I’m pleased with how Likhaya ran, however.”

Dayile finished third in the men’s 10-kilometer race, completing the course in a time of 31 minutes 10.64 seconds. Eluid Njubi of TCU won the individual title in a time of 30:46.19.

Arkansas won easily on the men’s side with 45 points, while Texas grabbed the other NCAA automatic qualifying spot, finishing second. Texas A&M upset Arkansas in the women’s race, taking a close decision as the Aggies and Lady ‘Backs swiped the two NCAA team berths.

Jeffrey Wiggins finished 43^rd, Billy Bohlke 44^th, Brent Martin 49^th and Ryan Raiford 52^nd to round out the Tigers’ top five finishers.

On the women’s side, Susanne Strunz placed 39^th, while Bridget Cusack finished 53^rd to the lead the Lady Tigers. Beth Woodworth finished 60^th, followed by Megan Szmajda in 63^rd and Katrina Flanders in 65^th to round out the Lady Tigers’ top five finishers.

Lilli Kleinman of Arkansas won the individual title, finishing the women’s 6k course in 20:06.59.

Among other Louisiana schools, Tulane finished fifth in the men’s competition, but a sixth place finish in the individual competition by Solomon Kandie was enough to earn him a spot in the NCAA Championship field. McNeese finished ninth in the men’s competition, while Nicholls State finished 16^th and Grambling 17^th. Nicholls State finished 14^th in the women’s competition, the only other Louisiana women’s team to compete in the field.