Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Friday, October 17
College Station, Texas
Middle Tennessee
vs
Arturo Barrios Invitational
Blue Raiders set for Arturo Barrios Invitational in College Station
10/16/2025 12:00:00 PM | Men's Cross Country and Track & Field, Women's Cross Country and Track & Field, Track & Field/Cross Country
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Middle Tennessee cross country heads west for the Arturo Barrios Invitational on Friday morning, hosted by Texas A&M.
Allan Kiplagat and the men's squad aim to continue their strong start to the 2025 season after second-, sixth-, and first-place team finishes at the Memphis Twilight Classic, Southern Showcase, and Louisville Classic. The Blue Raiders received 12 votes in the most recent NCAA top-30 poll, making them the first team out of the national rankings.
Brian Kiptoo is expected to make his return after missing Louisville. Moses Lekokei made his Blue Raider debut with a top-10 finish, followed by reigning Conference USA Freshman of the Week Solomon Sayo in 12th. Jacinto Gaspar was close behind in 16th, with Mackdonald Songok rounding out the scoring in 22nd.
On the women's side, Faith Nyathi, Privillege Chikara and Odilia Jepchumba are coming off a 1-2-3 finish in Louisville that helped the Blue Raiders place third overall. However, Nyathi and Chikara will be the only runners on the women's side to compete.
At last year's Arturo Barrios Invitational, four men and five women set personal bests in the 8k and 6k. Kiplagat led the men with a fourth-place finish out of 368 runners, clocking 22:28.1 to guide MTSU to seventh overall.
The Watts Cross Country Course is known as one of the fastest in the country, with winning times typically under 19 minutes in the women's 6k and around 22 minutes in the men's 8k.
The weather is expected to be favorable, with sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-to-high 70s during both races. The men's race begins at 8:30 a.m., followed by the women's at 9:15 a.m.
Keep up with Blue Raider Cross Country
Facebook (Middle Tennessee Blue Raider XC/Track & Field), Twitter (@MT_TrackField), and Instagram (@mt_trackfield).
Allan Kiplagat and the men's squad aim to continue their strong start to the 2025 season after second-, sixth-, and first-place team finishes at the Memphis Twilight Classic, Southern Showcase, and Louisville Classic. The Blue Raiders received 12 votes in the most recent NCAA top-30 poll, making them the first team out of the national rankings.
Brian Kiptoo is expected to make his return after missing Louisville. Moses Lekokei made his Blue Raider debut with a top-10 finish, followed by reigning Conference USA Freshman of the Week Solomon Sayo in 12th. Jacinto Gaspar was close behind in 16th, with Mackdonald Songok rounding out the scoring in 22nd.
On the women's side, Faith Nyathi, Privillege Chikara and Odilia Jepchumba are coming off a 1-2-3 finish in Louisville that helped the Blue Raiders place third overall. However, Nyathi and Chikara will be the only runners on the women's side to compete.
At last year's Arturo Barrios Invitational, four men and five women set personal bests in the 8k and 6k. Kiplagat led the men with a fourth-place finish out of 368 runners, clocking 22:28.1 to guide MTSU to seventh overall.
The Watts Cross Country Course is known as one of the fastest in the country, with winning times typically under 19 minutes in the women's 6k and around 22 minutes in the men's 8k.
The weather is expected to be favorable, with sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-to-high 70s during both races. The men's race begins at 8:30 a.m., followed by the women's at 9:15 a.m.
Keep up with Blue Raider Cross Country
Facebook (Middle Tennessee Blue Raider XC/Track & Field), Twitter (@MT_TrackField), and Instagram (@mt_trackfield).
Players Mentioned
Distance
/ Women's Cross Country and Track & Field
Distance
/ Men's Cross Country and Track & Field
Distance
/ Women's Cross Country and Track & Field
Distance
/ Men's Cross Country and Track & Field
Distance
/ Men's Cross Country and Track & Field
Distance
/ Men's Cross Country and Track & Field
Distance
/ Women's Cross Country and Track & Field
Distance
/ Men's Cross Country and Track & Field
Distance
/ Men's Cross Country and Track & Field2025 MTSU Soccer Senior Sit Down
Friday, October 17
True Blue Testimonials - Savannah Davis MTSU Women's Basketball Guard - Presented by MMC
Thursday, October 16
Blue Raider Notebook Presented by TOA - October 13th
Monday, October 13
Blue Raider Breakdown Postgame Show - October 8th
Thursday, October 09
