Lubbock Christian University Athletics

The LCU men's cross country program is the only NAIA program to win eight consecutive national titles in cross country and the Chaps string of titles began in the fall of 1990.

The 1990 media guide stated "the possibilities for the 1990-91 school year are very exciting." Head coach Darrell Price was quoted in the guide with much optimism. "We have the potential to have our best year ever in cross-country and also in indoor-outdoor track," Price said in his season preview. "If we stay healthy, we will have a very interesting year."

An interesting year it was. The late James Bungei was a freshman in 1990 and claimed the first of four consecutive individual cross country titles at the NAIA Championships in Kenosha, Wisc. to help the Chaps to their first cross country national championship title. Bungei, whose first place finish marked LCU's first cross country individual champion, would end up a five-time All-American that season, as LCU continued on during the school year to claim their first national title in indoor track & field (at the NAIA Indoor Track & Field Championships in Kansas City, Mo.) and finished with their first ever runner-up finish at the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships (Stephenville, Texas).

The season witnessed LCU claiming five cross country, four outdoor track & field and three indoor track & field All-American honors. Focusing on the cross country season, the Chaps competed in eight running events during the entire season and won all eight. Included in the schedule was wins at meets hosted by Texas Tech, Southern Methodist, Texas-Arlington and Texas in Austin. Bungei won four of the races he participated in. He never finished worse than second and the only individual to finish ahead of him was South Plains College running great Phillimon Hanneck.

At the NAIA National Championships, it was Bungei finishing in first place, with teammates David Kogo finishing second, Mbarek Hussein in sixth, Derek Kite in eighth and Paul Rotich in 17th to lead LCU to a stunning finish ahead of favorite Adams State (Colo.). Price claimed NAIA Coach of the Year honors in both cross country and indoor track & field that season.