Posted: November 22, 2004

Athletics: Smith And Bairu NCAA Cross Country Champions

From David Monti

(c) 2004 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved RaceResultsWeekly.com

NOTE: Look for a complete story from correspondent MIKE SCOTT later today --Ed.

Kim Smith of Providence College and Simon Bairu won the NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships individual titles today in Terre Haute, Ind.

Smith, an Olympian from New Zealand, covered the 6 km course in 20:08.5, well ahead of Renee Metevier of the University of Colorado (20:26.8) and surprise third place finisher Caroline Bierbaum of Columbia University (20:30.7). Smith had finished second last year behind Shalane Flanagan, who left NCAA competition earlier this year to turn professional.

Alicia Craig of Stanford, the NCAA 10,000m record holder, finished 26th.

Bairu, a Canadian who competes for the University of Wisconsin, won the men's 10-K race in 30:37.7, ahead of Matt Gonzalez of New Mexico (30:40.9) and Josphat Boit (30:41.8). of the University of Arkansas.

The University of Colorado won both the men's and women's team titles. On the men's side, the Buffs scored 90 points to edge Wisconsin by a scant four points. Arkansas finished a distant third. On the women's side, Colorado won with 63 points, trouncing second place Duke University (144 points). Providence was third with 164 points.

Stanford University had won both the team titles last year, and finished sixth on the men's side and fifth on the women's side.