Blue Raiders Take Home Both Conference USA XC Titles

Saturday, October 30

Charlotte, NC

Middle Tennessee

Conference USA Championships

Photo by: Sam Roberts/Charlotte Athletics

10/30/2021 11:52:00 AM | Men's Cross Country and Track & Field, Women's Cross Country and Track & Field, Track & Field/Cross Country

By: Braydin Sik, MT Athletic Communications

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Blue Raiders brought home both the men's and women's Conference USA Championships this weekend. The men and women combined for a total of 14 awards/All-Conference nods to go along with the titles.

The men were able to rack up their third C-USA Championship in five years, beating Charlotte out in a close battle that was decided by one point. The Blue Raider men placed five of their six runners in the top 15, including the team's leader Hillary Kimaiyo who placed eighth. The last time the men won a conference title was two seasons ago in 2019.

The women won their third conference title in a row, placing four runners in the top 10. The Blue Raider women led as a team most of the day and continued their yearly dominance in the conference. Eusila Chepkemei came in third overall during the race with a time of 21:06.1, taking home First Team All-Conference and Outstanding Senior of the Meet.

Coach Keith Vroman took home both Coach of the Year Awards once again, last doing so in the 2019-20 season.

Men's All-Conference Team/Awards
Second Team All-Conference

Coach of the Year: Keith Vroman

Women's All-Conference Team/Awards
First Team All-Conference

Second Team All-Conference

Faith Rono

Third Team All-Conference

Mercy Chepkurui

Outstanding Senior of the Meet: Eusila Chepkemei
Freshman of the Meet: Naomy Limatukei
Coach of the Year: Keith Vroman

Race Results
Men's 8K – 1^st place – 54 points
8. Hillary Kimaiyo - 24:16.3
10. Brian Rono - 24:32.7
11. Lebo Mosito - 24:35.6
12. Jacob Choge - 24:37.6
13. Habtamu Geta - 24:37.7
42. Carmelo Cannizzaro - 26:13.5

Women's 6K – 1^st place – 39 points
3. Eusila Chepkemei – 21:06.1
6. Naomy Limatukei – 21:19.8
7. Joice Jebor – 21:25.8
8. Faith Rono – 21:28.5
15. Mercy Chepkurui – 21:45.5
25. Caitlin Cunningham – 22:13.7
76. Francisca Jebor – 24:37.1

Quoting Conference USA Coach of the Year Keith Vroman
"Men's team ran very smart and delivered their best results of the year, perfect timing. There were some very talented teams to contend with today Charlotte is ranked high in the southeast region, UTEP has beat us twice this year. North Texas and Rice have been running good too. Probably the strongest top five programs I've seen at the conference championships. Brian Ronoh was really the athlete of the meet for us today. What a performance by Brian."

"The women went in as a solid favorite to win and ran like it. Another great team performance after watching the men win. It was nice being able to run our race and follow the pre-race game plan."

Next Up
The Blue Raiders turn their attention to the NCAA Regionals in Huntsville, Alabama on Friday, November 12.

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