SMC Set to Host 2010 NJCAA Cross Country National Championships

SPARTANBURG, SC – More than 600 runners representing more than 50 institutions in 15 states will compete Saturday in the 2010 NJCAA Division I National Cross Country Championships being held at Milliken Research Park in Spartanburg.

The championships will be opened up Friday evening during a Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) banquet for which Jim Ryun, a three-time Olympic runner and former congressman for Kansas' 2nd district, will serve as keynote speaker. The banquet is at First Baptist North Spartanburg at 6 pm and is sponsored by the Spartanburg FCA.
 
"We couldn't think of anyone any better to come out and give an inspirational and motivational message to these athletes on the eve of a national championship," says Bill Owens, area director for the Spartanburg FCA.

Ryun's stellar athletic career saw him earn many world record times.
 
In 1964, Ryun became the first high school athlete to break the 4-minute mile. He also qualified that same year in the 1500 for the 1964 Olympics but was eliminated in the second round. A year later, he beat the reigning Olympic champion in the open-mile, setting a record of 3:55.3  which lasted until 2001. Ryun today still holds five of the six fastest mile times in U.S. high school history.

He went on to earn numerous accolades during this career as a track star at the University of Kansas. He still holds four American junior records some 40 years after setting them. Ryun participated in the 1964, 1968 and 1972 summer Olympics, taking home silver in 1968 in the 1500 meters.

Ryun was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1996 and served five consecutive terms as a congressman. He is founder and president of Jim Ryun Sports, Inc., a public relations company. He also serves as a motivational speaker, speaking with corporations and Christian groups nationwide. Ryun and his family are Evangelical Presbyterians.

"We're excited about Mr. Ryun being able to share his messages and speak about what FCA can offer college students and the doors it can open for them. We are truly blessed with this opportunity," adds Owens.

Spartanburg Methodist College athletic director Mark Perdue adds that Ryun is a great role model for all ages.

"Mr. Ryun is an admirable role model for everyone, with a positive Christian character and beliefs. His accomplishments as an athlete, businessman, and congressman are something that these athletes can look up to and take note of," says Perdue.

This will be SMC's second time hosting the championships, which it previously hosted in 2008 also at Milliken Research Campus.

The women's 5K race starts at 10 am Saturday morning, with the men's 8K starting at 11 am. An awards ceremony will follow at 1 pm.

"This is an incredible event for SMC, the City of Spartanburg, and Milliken to be hosting. We hope all of the athletes enjoy the event and that they have a very positive experience during their visit to Spartanburg," adds Perdue.

Seventeen SMC runners will be competing in the event. The women's team will be represented by Hannah Chaney (Brunswick HS, OH), Anamalia Garcia (Pelion HS), Nikki Kaiser (Blue Ridge HS), Logan Lindsey (Boiling Springs HS), Teal McLean (Westover HS, NC), Hannah Quinley (Riverside HS), Sarah Thomas (Fort Mill HS), Hannah Thompson (Alabama-Huntsville, AL), Abby Wells (Crestwood HS).   The women's team is ranked No. 9 going into nationals.

The men's team will consist of  Ryan Beckley (Fort Dorchester HS), Dylan Blackwell (Byrnes HS), Justin Blackwell (Chesnee HS), Tyler Cooke (Mayo HS), Chris DeHondt (Pendleton HS), Ben Grant (Georgetown HS), Brett Morley (Landrum HS), and Erik Surfus (Blue Ridge HS).  The men are currently ranked No. 17 in the nation.

Spartanburg Methodist College has 14 intercollegiate teams that compete in Region X of the National Junior College Athletic Association, which includes colleges in the Carolinas, Virginia and West Virginia.
The College is in its 100th year of providing quality education to students in a Christian environment.  More than 90 percent of SMC graduates continue their education at other institutions of higher learning.

For more information about the cross country event Saturday, contact SMC athletic director Mark Perdue at (864) 587-4237 or Brian Fulkerson, director of public information, at (864) 587-4254.