McNeese State swept top honors in the 2010 Louisiana Sports Writers Association Women’s Cross Country team and picked up two of the four top honors on the men’s team.
Other McNeese athletes named to the team were Joshua Sawe, Jarrett LeBlanc and Amy Guinn.
David Rooney was named the Male Runner of the Year and Brendon Gilroy was named Coach of the Year for the both the men’s and women’s teams. Tinette Burger was named the Female Runner of the Year and Georgia Ball was named Freshman of the Year.
Rooney finished in 50th place finish at the NCAA Championships and the highest finish by any athlete from a Louisiana or Southland Conference school. The native of Dublin, Ireland placed sixth at the South Central regional meet and placed fourth at the Southland Conference Championship. Rooney was selected to the all-Southland Conference and all-Regional teams.
At the regional meet, Rooney was :04 away from earning All-America honors. Rooney won the Asics McNeese race and the McNeese 6K relay while finishing 18th at the Roy Griak meet in Minnesota and 11th at the NCAA pre-nationals in Terre Hauti. He posted the fastest time in the state in the 10K with a clocking of 30:36.90. He was also named McNeese State’s MVP.
Gilroy led the Cowboys to a second place finish at the Southland Conference Championship and a sixth place finish at the South Central Regionals. Gilroy’s team won its own Asics McNeese meet and placed 21st at the pre-nationals meet in Terre Haute. His top runner (David Rooney) was the highest finisher at the NCAA Championship of any Louisiana and Southland Conference athlete.
Gilroy swept Coach of the Year honors, also being named the LSWA Men’s Coach of the Year, edging out Nicholls’ Scott Williamson for the women’s honor. Gilroy led the Cowgirls to a third place finish at the Southland Conference Championship and an 11th place finish at the South Central Regional’s. His team leader (Tinette Burger) was named to the All-SLC team.
alan foolkes, david rooney, brendon gilroy