XU's Dotson, Harding are GCAC Runners of the Week
September 14, 2009

     NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana cross country standouts Mark Dotson and Ebony Harding are the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Runners of the Week for Sept. 7-13.
     Dotson, a freshman from Alexandria, La., and a graduate of Holy Savior Menard Central High School, is the first Xavier runner to win the award in consecutive weeks. Harding, a senior from Baton Rouge, La., and a graduate of Baton Rouge Magnet High School, won the women's award for the first time this season and the third time in two years.
     Dotson ran 5,000 meters in 18 minutes, 33 seconds Saturday to place second out of 38 runners and lead the Gold Rush to the men's team championship of the Radisson Hotel Wolfpack Invitational in suburban Metairie. Dotson has led Xavier and earned top-three finishes in both races this season.
     Harding was the first collegiate finisher — the first time she's done that at Xavier — and second overall in the women's division of the same meet. She ran the 5K course in 21:47. It was Harding's sixth runner-up finish with the Gold Nuggets.
     The GCAC's sports information directors nominate and select athletes of the week in all GCAC-sponsored sports. This is the second year of the Runner of the Week awards.
     Xavier's next meet will be its third of the season, the Ragin' Cajuns Invitational at Lafayette, La., on Friday. The women's 5K will begin at 6 p.m., and the four-mile men's race will follow at 6:30.