Blue Raider XC Fairs Well at NCAA South Regionals

Friday, November 12

Huntsville, AL

Middle Tennessee

NCAA Regionals

11/12/2021 11:09:00 AM | Men's Cross Country and Track & Field, Women's Cross Country and Track & Field, Track & Field/Cross Country

Jacob Choge Earns Automatic Bid to NCAA Championships

By: Braydin Sik, MT Athletic Communications

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The Blue Raiders faired well in a loaded field, placing the men in sixth and the women in eighth Friday morning at the NCAA South Regional.

The women got off to a slow start on Friday before reaching the 1.6k mark, but then picked it up to finish off the race. Eusila Chepkemei had her best 6K with a time of 20:12.0, shaving nearly a minute off of her time from the Conference USA Championships two weeks ago. The freshman Naomy Limatukei finished with her career-best 20:59.7. Chepkemei was the fastest runner for the Blue Raider women today with a 12^th place finish.

The men ran well with the top three runners setting new career-bests. Jacob Choge ran well from the start, sitting in the top 10 for each split throughout the race. Choge finished in sixth with a time of 29:38.44 and is an automatic qualifier for the NCAA Championships in Tallahassee, Florida. Hillary Kimaiyo also finished in the top 20 with a time of 30:00.47 on Friday morning.

Race Results
Men's 10K – 6th place – 178 points
6. Jacob Choge – 29:38.44
16. Hillary Kimaiyo – 30:00.47
29. Lebo Mosito – 30:40.52
52. Habtamu Geta – 31:19.01
77. Brian Rono – 31:53.15
141.Carmelo Cannizzaro – 34:12.57

Women's 6K – 8th place – 198 points
12. Eusila Chepkemei – 20:11.97
40. Naomy Limatukei – 20:59.70
43. Joice Jebor – 21:04.28
52. Faith Rono – 21:08.96
55. Mercy Chepkurui – 21:15.48
202. Francisca Jebor – 24:41.84

Quoting Head Coach Keith Vroman
"Both teams ran exactly what they were capable of, nothing better, nothing worse. It was a great season and an average day. I'm happy with both teams performances, they competed how they train. I am very exited for Jacob Choge making the NCAA Championships next week in Florida. It is an incredible way to finish out and incredible career. Eusila, Hillary, and Jacob all competed well today by making the awards podium individually. There's an outside shot Eusila could make the NCAA, but we will have to wait find out on Sunday."

Next Up
The Blue Raiders look forward to watching the selection show tomorrow at 5 p.m., and possibly sending more than Jacob Choge racing as an individual down to Tallahassee for the NCAA Championships on Saturday, November 20.

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