CLINTON, Miss. - A first-place performance by Sorone Batiste and fourth-place finish from Jarrod Ballou paved the way for Prairie View A&M to claim their fourth SWAC men's cross country championship in school history at Choctaw Trails on Monday morning.

Batiste fought off a challenge from TSU's Jose Medina as he topped the field in a time of 26:34.84 en route to SWAC Cross Country Athlete of the Year honors.  After a 2-3 performance by TSU, the Panthers responded and showcased their depth as Jarrod Ballou placed fourth followed by sixth and seventh-place finishes from Aaron Austin and Syed Hussain to seal the victory.

As a result of their finishes, Batiste and Ballou received All-SWAC First Team honors while Austin and Hussain finished with second team honors. Head coach Chris Clay was named SWAC Coach of the Year and won his first cross country title as head coach and his third overall as he served as an assistant during PVAMU's SWAC title wins in 2005 and 2006.