Men's Cross Country Wins Commodore Classic

Saturday, September 17

Nashville, Tenn.

9 a.m.

Middle Tennessee

Commodore Classic

9/17/2016 12:46:00 PM | Track & Field/Cross Country

The Team Has Won All Three of its Meets This Season

By: @MTAthletics

NASHVILLE, Tenn.-- The Blue Raider men's cross country team remains perfect on the season, winning its third meet in a row, while the women's team finished 12^th at the Commodore Classic Saturday morning in Nashville.

In his first race of his career, freshman Jacob Choge finished second overall with a time of 24:03.7 in the 8k, competing against some of the top runners in the country. The first year runner led Middle Tennessee, as the team continues to impress this season. Head Coach Dean Hayes was excited about Choge's performance.

"For his first collegiate race he was really tough, there's no doubt about it," Hayes stated. "He's going to be a great help to our team this year."

The team finished with 63 points, second place was SEC foe Georgia, which finished 18 points behind the Blue Raiders.

Sophomore Kigen Chemadi came up big for the Blue Raiders, finishing eighth with an outstanding 24:44.1 time. Newcomer Sampson Laari ran well, finishing 11^th with a time of 24:55.5, while senior Hillary Rono finished 18^th at 25:16.9.

The field was the toughest competition the team has faced all season, finishing first has Hayes excited about the season progressing.

"The men ran really well today," Hayes said. "They beat Louisville who is nationally ranked, Georgia an SEC opponent, and I look forward to watching them the rest of the season."

On the women's side senior Hannah Maina was the first finisher for the Blue Raiders placing 35^th with a time of 17:54.3 in the 5k.

Middle Tennessee is slated to return to competition Oct. 1 at 10 a.m. for the Greater Louisville Classic in Louisville, Ky.

Men's Team Results (Top 5)
1. Middle Tennessee (63)
2. Georgia (81)
3. Ohio State (106)
4. Butler (116)
5. Missouri (150)

Middle Tennessee Individual Men's Results (8k)
2. Jacob Choge (24:03.7)
8. Kigen Chemadi (24:44.1)
11. Sampson Laari (24:55.5)
18. Hillary Rono (25:16.9)
27. Amos Cheruiyot (25:30.9)
56. Shadrack Matelong (25:58.5)

Women's Team Results (Top 5)
1. Eastern Michigan (68)
2. Ohio State (87)
3. Vanderbilt (128)
4. Butler (134)
5. Missouri (148)
12. Middle Tennessee (350)

Middle Tennessee Individual Women's Results (5k)
35. Hannah Maina (17:54.3)
61. Agnes Abu (18:12.4)
76. Susan Aneno (18:21.1)
85. Rhema Cheruiyot (18:30.3)
123. Josphine Kiptebeny (18:53.7)
182. Sharon Kibiwott (19:42.5)
183. Rachel Kigen (19:44.5)
231. Abike Egbiniyi (20:41.0)