Blue Raider Women Crowned C-USA Champions for Second-Straight Season

Saturday, October 31

9:00 AM CT

Middle Tennessee

Conference USA Championship

10/31/2020 12:02:00 PM | Men's Cross Country and Track & Field, Women's Cross Country and Track & Field, BRAA, Track & Field/Cross Country

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Middle Tennessee State women's cross-country team won its second-straight conference championship and the program's third-overall title as it took first place at the 2020 C-USA Championships on Saturday.

The Blue Raider women finished the meet with 31 points to beat Charlotte, which finished in second place with 75 points. It is the third straight year that at least one runner has finished in the top five.

On the men's side, the Blue Raiders placed second, led by First Team All-Conference USA honoree Thobile Mosito.

Women's Championship 6K Recap:
Joice Jebor, a two-time All-Conference USA selection in cross country, led the Blue Raider women. After finishing third at the 2019 C-USA Championships, Jebor stayed in the top 10 for the entirety of Saturday's race as she finished second with a 20:54.42 mark.

Middle Tennessee State put together a well-balanced attack and showed off its depth, as all five runners received All-Conference nods.

Eusila Chepkemei (3rd, 20:58.28), Faith Rono (4th, 21:31.19), Mercy Chepkurui (5th, 21:31.19), and Francisa Jebor (17th, 22:20.19) all received All-Conference USA honors for the Blue Raiders.

Eusila Chepkemei was also named Outstanding Senior, and Keith Vroman was named Coach of the Year.

Men's 8K Recap:
Thobile Mosito and Brian Rono both secured the best C-USA Championships finishes of their careers to claim All-C-USA honors for the second season in a row.

Mosito placed third overall in 24:11.26, a result that improved on his seventh-place finish from the 2019 season. Rono followed behind him and crossed the finish line in eighth place at 24:39.21.

2019 C-USA Champion Jacob Choge finished ninth overall with a 24:41.20 mark to earn All-Conference USA Second Team honors.

All-Conference USA Third Team honoree Stephen Mengich (14th, 24:57.55), Ryan Matson (40th, 26:23.84), and Isaiah Strauel (43rd, 26:32.26) rounded out Middle Tennessee State's finishers. The meet was the first C-USA Championship race for all three runners.

Coaches Thoughts:
"Thankful to be out on the cross-country course competing. The ladies raced very smart today," Vroman added. "The men competed well today and did what they had to do to secure second place. Time for a break, then we will get back to training for whatever season comes next."

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