RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University senior All-American Ahmed Jaziri has been voted the Preseason ASUN Men's Cross Country Runner of the Year, the league announced on Wednesday.
 
The EKU men's cross country team has been picked to finish second out of 14 teams in the Preseason Coaches Poll, receiving seven first-place votes and 176 points. North Florida is the preseason favorite, edging out the Colonels with seven first-place votes and 184 points.
 
The EKU women were picked to finish third in the ASUN this fall, tallying 163 points to finish behind Liberty (195) and Lipscomb (182) in the Preseason Coaches Poll.
 
Jaziri was the 2020 OVC individual cross country champion and the 2021 ASUN individual cross country champion.
 
He won the NCAA title in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the 2022 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. His winning time of 8:18.70 is the second fastest in NCAA history.
 
The EKU women are led by Jone Zabaleta Larranaga, who finished fourth at the ASUN Cross Country Championships last fall.
 
Zabaleta Larranaga won ASUN gold in the indoor 3,000 meters and outdoor 5,000 meters during the track season. Her 5K time of 16:02.55 is the second fastest in EKU history.