The NCAA News - News Features

Division I

Arkansas expected to rule again

OVERVIEW: Arkansas was supposed to be too young to contend for the 1995 team title. The Razorbacks didn't just contend; they won. This year, with a slew of returnees, Arkansas should do what they're supposed to: win again. Led by defending individual champion Godfrey Siamusiye, coach John McDonnell's squad is favored to win its sixth championship in seven years. Siamusiye, vying to become the first Arkansas runner to win consecutive individual titles, headlines a squad that includes the top five runners from last year's championship team. Also returning are Ryan Wilson (who finished fifth individually in 1995), Sean Kaley, Phillip Price and Matt Kerr .... Challengers to the Razorbacks include Northern Arizona and Stanford. No. 2-ranked Stanford recently positioned itself as a title contender by winning the Pre-NCAA Invitational last month at Arizona. Stanford is led by Greg Jimmerson (23rd overall in 1995), Nathan Nutter and twin brothers Brent and Brad Hauser. Northern Arizona, runner-up at last year's championships, attempts to improve one spot in 1996 behind twin brothers Tim and Theo Martin and John Howell .... Colorado and Nebraska also should have an impact on the team standings. The Buffaloes are paced by senior Clint Wells, while the Cornhuskers rely on Cleophas Boor and Jonah Kiptarus, among others.

FIELD: A total of 184 individual competitors will be selected. Twenty-two teams of seven individuals-- at least two teams from each of eight districts -- plus 30 individuals (at least three individuals from each district) will make up the field.

DATES AND SITES: District qualifying will be November 16 at eight sites. The championships will be November 25 at Arizona.

INFORMATION/RESULTS: The fax-on-demand telephone number is 770/399-3060 (passcode 1915); request numbers are 1279 for dates/site/schedule, 5071 for qualifiers and 5072 for championships results. District and championships results also will be available on the World Wide Web at www.ncaa.org. Championship results will be published in the December 2 issue of The NCAA News.

CHAMPIONSHIPS NOTES: Siamusiye is vying to become the first champion to successfully defend his title since 1977.