EVANSVILLE, IND. – The Kentucky State University cross country teams competed in the University of Evansville Invitational, their final tune-up before this week's Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship.

Both teams will compete Friday in the SIAC Championships in Rock Hill, S.C.

"Heading into conference our coaching staff will have the tough decision of choosing a Top Seven for competition in next week's Championship," said Kentucky State University head coach Fatimah Shabazz. "We had our largest cross country roster on both sides in several years and appreciate all of the hard work that the students have shown since early-season conditioning in August."

For the men's team, juniors Mark Johannemann (Louisville, Ky.) and Cory Jones Jr. (East St. Louis, Mo.) led the way for the Thorobreds.

Johannemann ran his second-best time this season, finishing in 29:12, and while Jones Jr. – competing in his first cross country meet of the season – wasn't too far behind finished with a career-best time of 30:15.

Freshman Esperance Nibitanga (Louisville, Ky.) returned to competition to lead the team with the time of 22.19 – merely a second off her previous career-best. Jaylynne Williams made her season debut with a time of 25:23. Freshman Timmia Crayton Prioleau (Cleveland, Ohio) and sophomore Alaria Long (Covington, Ky.) finished on her heels in 25:40 and 25:41, respectively. Long shaved nearly 40 seconds off her previous career-best of 26:28. Senior Casey Grant (Ft. Mitchell, Ky.) also ran another career-best time of 29:13, dropping thirteen seconds from the Greater Louisville Classic two weeks ago.