Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Men’s Cross Country ranked No. 22 nationally
8/16/2019 2:00:00 PM | Men's Cross Country and Track & Field, BRAA
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Two years after finishing 23rd in the NCAA Cross Country Championships, Middle Tennessee's men's cross country team has notched a national ranking of No. 22 to begin the 2019 season, according to FloTrack.
"It's exciting to be recognized for the hard work that's been done the last few years," MT cross country coach Keith Vroman said.
"We redshirted everybody last year and ran freshman Brian Rono, who's had a year now to develop as well. He was our top runner last year at the C-USA Championships, so it's exciting to see him develop into someone that will really help this team."
Rono will provide invaluable depth to the Middle Tennessee lineup, as the sophomore is expected to only improve on his ninth place finish at the C-USA Championships a year ago. The luxury of placing Rono at the end of the MT lineup should propel the Blue Raiders past many of their competitors this fall.
Already one of MT's most accomplished recent track athletes, Kigen Chemadi will return to the cross country squad for a final season. A three-time NCAA All-American on the track, Chemadi took home the C-USA Male Track Athlete of the Year award in June. The Ainbkoi, Kenya native will be expected to pace the Blue Raiders in 2019.
Jacob Choge is also projected to lead the Blue Raiders this fall after a redshirt year in 2018. His résumé already includes C-USA Cross Country Athlete of the Year honors as well as two C-USA Championship first place medals. Ranked as high as No. 7 nationally in cross country as a freshman, Choge will be aiming for another high ranking by the end of the season.
After three NJCAA national titles at Cloud County Community College, Thobile Mosito won the 10K event at the C-USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships and competed in the NCAA East Preliminary last season. Now a senior, Mosito will help the Blue Raiders on their quest back to the NCAA Cross Country Championships.
"We've got two All-Americans, Thobile [Mosito], who made an NCAA Regional this year, and Brian [Rono], who is still developing, so we're looking forward to seeing what those guys can do this season," Vroman added.
The Raider runners will begin the 2019 campaign at the Memphis Twilight XC Classic on August 31.
"It's exciting to be recognized for the hard work that's been done the last few years," MT cross country coach Keith Vroman said.
"We redshirted everybody last year and ran freshman Brian Rono, who's had a year now to develop as well. He was our top runner last year at the C-USA Championships, so it's exciting to see him develop into someone that will really help this team."
Rono will provide invaluable depth to the Middle Tennessee lineup, as the sophomore is expected to only improve on his ninth place finish at the C-USA Championships a year ago. The luxury of placing Rono at the end of the MT lineup should propel the Blue Raiders past many of their competitors this fall.
Already one of MT's most accomplished recent track athletes, Kigen Chemadi will return to the cross country squad for a final season. A three-time NCAA All-American on the track, Chemadi took home the C-USA Male Track Athlete of the Year award in June. The Ainbkoi, Kenya native will be expected to pace the Blue Raiders in 2019.
Jacob Choge is also projected to lead the Blue Raiders this fall after a redshirt year in 2018. His résumé already includes C-USA Cross Country Athlete of the Year honors as well as two C-USA Championship first place medals. Ranked as high as No. 7 nationally in cross country as a freshman, Choge will be aiming for another high ranking by the end of the season.
After three NJCAA national titles at Cloud County Community College, Thobile Mosito won the 10K event at the C-USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships and competed in the NCAA East Preliminary last season. Now a senior, Mosito will help the Blue Raiders on their quest back to the NCAA Cross Country Championships.
"We've got two All-Americans, Thobile [Mosito], who made an NCAA Regional this year, and Brian [Rono], who is still developing, so we're looking forward to seeing what those guys can do this season," Vroman added.
The Raider runners will begin the 2019 campaign at the Memphis Twilight XC Classic on August 31.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Cross Country and Track & Field
/ Men's Cross Country and Track & Field
/ Men's Cross Country and Track & Field
/ Men's Cross Country and Track & Field
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