Liberty Alumnus Derrick Wyatt Qualifies For Nationals

The Clemson Tigers men's cross country team finished third at the NCAA D-I Southeast Regionals, one spot from receiving an automatic bid to Nationals and four points from finishing second in the team standings in Lake Kristi, NC. Leading the team was Itay Magidi, who finished second. Derrick Wyatt, a senior at Clemson and former South Carolina high school standout at Liberty rounded out the top five, earning All-Region honors.

Clemson will await the word of an at-large bid. The field will be announced Sunday evening on NCAAsports.com.

The 2004 Nationals Championships will take place on Nov. 22 in Terre Haute, IN. Furman University hosted D-I Cross Country Nationals in 1997 and 2001. The third-place finish for the Tigers is the best by a Clemson men's cross country team since a second-place finish in 1988 (clemsontigers.com). In 1988 the Tigers placed fourth nationally.

Casey Phillips, a junior at Clemson placed 53rd at the region meet. Phillips attended Mauldin High School prior to becoming a Tiger.

Anne Marie Moutsinga placed 19th overall in the meet for Coastal Carolina in 20:55.1. The Chanticleers captured their fourth straight Big South title on Oct. 30 in Rock Hill, with Moutsinga placing second overall.

Furman University's Tyler Johnson placed 32nd overall in the 10,000-meter run with Wren alumnus Brad Orr placing 64th overall for Winthrop. Dorman graduate Ryan Jank placed 165th overall over the 10k course for UNC-Charlotte with a 34:18. Michael Hatch, a senior at Duke University and former JL Mann Patriot placed 13th overall in 30:36.8.

  • Derrick Wyatt's Interview