Blue Raiders Look Strong in 2021-22 Season Debut

Saturday, September 4

Memphis, TN

Middle Tennessee

City Auto Memphis Twilight Classic

9/5/2021 12:30:00 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

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Both Middle Tennessee cross country teams finished in the top five Saturday night, as the women placed second and the men placed fourth.

The Blue Raider women were up first, with the starting gun sounding off at 9:20 p.m. in Memphis. The 2020 Conference USA Champions competed against multiple ranked teams including No. 7 Alabama and No. 15 Ole Miss. Middle Tennessee was one of two teams to finish with a score under 100, finishing in second behind only Ole Miss.

Senior Eusila Chepkemei led the team with a third-place finish and a time of 17:41.24, which was 15 seconds from first place. Senior Joice Jebor (18:24.28, 16th), junior Naomy Limatukei (18:30.22, 18th), sophomore Faith Rono (18:32.59, 20th), and sophomore Mercy Chepkurui (18:35.36, 23rd) all finished in the top 25. Rounding out the women was Caitlin Cunningham with a time of 19:06.25 in 37th and Quanisha Marshall with 22:59.41 in 164th.

Women's Results (5K)
3.            Eusila Chepkemei (17:41.24)
16.         Joice Jebor (18:24.28)
18.         Naomy Limatukei (18:30.22)
20.         Faith Rono (18:32.59)
23.         Mercy Chepkurui (18:35.36)
37.         Caitlin Cunningham (19:06.25)
164.       Quanisha Marshall (22:59.41)

The Blue Raider men followed the women up soon after with a fourth-place finish. Sophomore Hillary Kimaiyo led Middle Tennessee with a personal best time of 19:35.15, placing second of 211 student-athletes. Not far behind was senior Lebo Mosito, also setting a personal best time with 19:40.13, good enough for fifth, and senior Jacob Choge (20:01.23) in 11th. Closing out the men's team was junior Brian Rono (20:48.27, 43rd), freshman Hillary Toroitich (21:06.90, 56th), and freshman Carmelo Cannizzaro (21:10.49, 60th)

Men's Results (4 mile)
2.            Hillary Kimaiyo (19:35.15)
5.            Lebo Mosito (19:40.13)
11.         Jacob Choge (20:01.23)
43.         Brian Rono (20:48.27)
56.         Hillary Toroitich (21:06.90)
60.         Carmelo Cannizzaro (21:10.49)

Quoting Coach Vroman
"It was nice getting out there and competing! We've been training pretty hard in practice and both teams competed well with heavy legs. Eusila finished very strong, looking forward to seeing what she can do later in the season. Hillary Kimaiyo and Thobile Mosito both ran personal best to begin the season."

Next Race
Coach Keith Vroman and the Blue Raiders now turn their attention to the Commodore Classic on Friday, September 17, hosted by Vanderbilt.

Keep up with Blue Raider cross country this fall on Facebook (Blue Raider XC/Track & Field), Twitter (@MT_TrackField) and Instagram (@mt_trackfield).