Brooklyn, N.Y. – The Long Island University men's and women's cross country teams open their 2011 season Saturday at the Monmouth XC Kickoff in Lincroft, N.J. Head coach Julia Sandiford looks to continue the positive momentum shown by the Blackbirds at the 2010 Northeast Conference Championships, where eight athletes posted season-best times.

 

After sitting out last season due to injury, junior Rogers Kipruto, the 2009 NEC Individual Champion, will be back on the course to compete for this year's crown. Kipruto earned a trio of awards his rookie season that included All-NEC, NEC Most Outstanding Performer and NEC Freshman of the Year. Supporting Kipruto will be classmate Chris Welch, one of last year's top performers. Welch raced to his best time at last year's UAlbany Invitational, covering the 8K course in 29:18.

 

On the women's side, seniors Emily Rosario and Tiffany Parker were among Long Island's top runners last season and look to continue that trend. Both Rosario and Parker showed consistent improvement in 2010, posting their best times at the NEC Championships.

 

After competing at Monmouth, the Blackbirds race at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx three times before heading to meets at The University of Albany and Quinnipiac. The 2011 Northeast Conference Cross Country Championship will be hosted by Monmouth and take place Holmdel Park in Holmdel, N.J., on October 29.