Arkansas' men's and women's cross country teams will look for their 15th sweep at the 2014 SEC Championships today in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Both Arkansas teams won last year -- their first SEC sweep since 2008 -- and are favored to repeat their title runs.
SEC CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP
WHEN Today. Men’s 8,000-meter race at 9 a.m. Women’s 6,000-meter race at 10 a.m.
WHERE Harry Pritchett Running Course, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Men: Arkansas. Women: Arkansas
The Razorbacks are the only SEC men's team in the national poll at No. 23 and are going for their fifth consecutive conference title. Arkansas has won 21 of 23 SEC meets since joining the conference.
Arkansas' women's team is ranked No. 5 and has won 14 SEC titles.
The Razorbacks' men's team is led by senior Stanley Kebenei, junior Gabe Gonzalez and freshmen Alex George and Austen Dalquist.
"We don't really talk about being the favorite or our history," Arkansas men's Coach Chris Bucknam said. "The kids are aware of it and it's a part of why they choose Arkansas.
"It is definitely going to be a challenge, especially since we've never ran on this course before, and lot of people will be gunning for us. But I'm looking forward to seeing these guys race in a big-time meet."
The Arkansas women return the top three finishers from last year's SEC meet with junior Dominique Scott and seniors Shannon Klenke and Grace Heymsfield.
"To have that kind of firepower return is very rare in a coach's career," Arkansas women's Coach Lance Harter said. "If everyone remains healthy and takes care of their responsibilities, coupled with that experience, it will make our team very formidable."
Scott is attempting to become the first Razorback female to win back-to-back SEC cross country individual titles since Amy Yoder won three in a row from 1997-1999.
"The level of talent year in and year out in this conference is remarkable, and to win two SEC titles would definitely put her in rarefied air," Harter said of Scott. "She is fit, but she has to be ready.
"There are a number of teammates who will challenge her for the title and several athletes from other schools who have developed over the course of the year that will push her as well."
Sports on 10/31/2014