Macon, GA  |  The Morehouse Maroon Tigers Cross-Country Team took home the SIAC Championship on Wednesday, October 23.  The men's cross country championship race was held in Macon at the Georgia Premier Cross Country Course. In total, 88 student-athletes from 14 teams competed.  For Morehouse, this is the third consecutive SIAC title.  Since 1990, the Maroon tigers have 26 conference championships, including streaks of 13 consecutive (1995 - 2007), 6 consecutive (2009 - 2014), 3 consecutive (2016 - 2018), and the current streak of 3 consecutive (2022 - current).  

The race began with temperatures in the mid 60s.  Brian Kemeii took the early lead in the contest and extended his margin throughout the race.  Kemi would cross the finish line first, over two minutes ahead of the competition, with a time of 24:14.94.  Ronny Kiprono would battle for second, but lose the sprint to the line to a Benedict College runner, and finish third with a time of 26:29.58.  Phoenix Satterfield, Taylor Battle, and a Clark-Atlanta runner would be in a battle for positioning to be in the top ten finisher.  The Panther runner would come finish between the two Maroon Tigers as Satterfield and Battle crossed in the seventh (26:59.21) and ninth (27:02.37) position.

Sidney Morris, who easily would have finished in the top 15, provided the most dramatic and inspirational moment of the meet.  Approximately 25 feet from the finish line, Morris collapsed due to exhaustion.  He then attempted to get up and finish the race, only for his legs to give out on him again.  Unable to stand, Morris began to crawl to the finish line, with the knowledge that if anyone come on the course to assist him, he is immediately disqualified.  Sacrificing his body of his teammates and his institution, Morris crawled until he could not crawl anymore.  With the championship on the line, Morris began to role towards the finish line.  Three runners would pass him as he laid on the ground.  Morris found the grit and will to complete the race.  Morris would ultimately make it to the finish line, 18th overall, with a time of 28:18.99.  

Morehouse would win the team competition with a overall team score of 38 points.  Central State would finish second with 88 points while Tuskegee took third with 90 points.

Brian Kemei would be named theSIAC Men's Cross Country Runner of the Year.  Phoenix Satterfield  received the SIAC Men's Cross Country Elite 16 award for his championship performance, coupled with a 3.86 GPA. The Elite 16 award, the SIAC's highest academic achievement honor, is awarded to student-athletes who display exemplary performances in athletics and the classroom.  Legendary Morehouse head coach Willie Hill received the SIAC Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year award for a third consecutive season after leading his team to another conference title.  Kemi, Kiprono, Saterfield, and Battle would be named to the All-SIAC Team.

Morehouse will next compete in the NCAA Division II Regionals, to be held in Huntsville, AL on November 9th.  For up-to-date athletic information on the Maroon Tigers, follow them on social media or online at www.morehouseathletics.com.