BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - The UALR men's team won its fifth Sun Belt Conference title and second in three seasons at the SBC Cross Country Championships at Kereiakes Park on Saturday. The Trojan men were led by top-ten finishes from Markus Pearson (7^th, 25:33.7), Felix Maritim (8^th, 25:40.7) and Brock Hime (10^th, 25:51.9) in the men's 8K.

Head coach Milton Williams was named the 2012 Men's Coach of the Year. Saturday's honor marks the third time Williams has won the award, as he also took home the honor in 2007 and 2010. Additionally, Williams was named the 2005 Women's Coach of the Year.

The men's title is the third in Williams' tenure as head coach at UALR. The Trojans also took the top spot in 2010 and 2007 under Williams.

The UALR men's team won back-to-back titles in 2001 and 2002 under coach Kirk Elias.

The UALR men totaled 58 points to take the top spot in Saturday's 8K race. The Trojans were followed by North Texas (85), Middle Tennessee (86), South Alabama (139) and host Western Kentucky (142). Joseph Chebet of WKU topped all individuals in a time of 24:46.7.

Pearson, Maritim and Hime all earned Second Team All-SBC honors, while Shaun Koehn (13^th, 25:57.1) took home third team honors. Marissa DeLaPaz earned Third Team All-SBC honors for the women.

Rodney Sasse was next in line for the UALR men at No. 20 in a time of 26:05.1, followed by Gabriel Ghioca at No. 30 in 26:39.9. John Vodacek clocked in at 26:54.7 to place 38^th overall, and Chris Dunbar finished 41^st in 27:01.9 to round out the UALR men.

The UALR women placed 7^th overall and were led by DeLaPaz, who finished 15^th overall in a time of 18:49.0 in the women's 5K race. Mackenzie Bloom was next for the Trojans at No. 19 in 18:55.3.

Tori Copeland placed 34^th in a time of 19:29.9. Breanne Mitchell placed 62^nd in 20:43.4 and Therese Moberg finished 67^th in 21:16.8 to round out the UALR women's finishers.

UALR will next compete at the NCAA South Central Regional in Fayetteville, Ark. on Saturday, Nov. 10.