Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Friday, October 17
College Station, Texas
Middle Tennessee
vs
Arturo Barrios Invitational
Men's Cross Country takes home second at Arturo Barrios Invitational
10/17/2025 4:41:00 PM | Men's Cross Country and Track & Field, Women's Cross Country and Track & Field, Track & Field/Cross Country
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Middle Tennessee men's cross country capped off its regular season with a strong second-place finish and five personal bests at the 2025 Arturo Barrios Invitational on Friday morning.
Allan Kiplagat and the Blue Raiders came out firing, with Kiplagat running up front from start to finish — bouncing between fourth and first place throughout the race. He ultimately crossed the line third overall with a sub-23-minute time of 22:56.0.
Moses Lekokei followed close behind in 13th place with a 23:25.6, while freshman Solomon Sayo continued his impressive debut season, placing 17th in 23:38.3. Jacinto Gaspar finished just outside the top 20 in 22nd with a personal-best 23:42.2, and Brian Kiptoo rounded out the Blue Raider scoring with a 43rd-place finish in 24:05.6.
Freshman Gabe Allen — from Knoxville — continued his steady progression this season, clocking a 24:14.3 for 59th place. Vincent Yegon finished 69th in 24:18.8, while Juan Lucas De La Fuente shattered his previous 8k best by more than a minute. Mackdonald Songok was the final Blue Raider across the line with a 24:34.7 finish.
On the women's side, Faith Nyathi and Privilege Chikara were the lone Blue Raider competitors. Nyathi battled an injury after running near the front for much of the race, finishing 31st. Chikara recorded a new personal best in the 6k, finishing 46th in 20:49.8.
The Blue Raider men defeated several Power Five programs — including Texas Tech, Ohio State, TCU, Houston, and Baylor — further proving their case for a spot in the national top-30 rankings to be released Tuesday.
What's Next:
Middle Tennessee will now turn its attention to the Conference USA Championships in Huntsville, Ala., on November 1, where the Blue Raiders will host the meet at John Hunt Cross Country Park.
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 Blue Raiders came out firing, with Kiplagat running up front from start to finish — bouncing between fourth and first place throughout the race. He ultimately crossed the line third overall with a sub-23-minute time of 22:56.0.
Moses Lekokei followed close behind in 13th place with a 23:25.6, while freshman Solomon Sayo continued his impressive debut season, placing 17th in 23:38.3. Jacinto Gaspar finished just outside the top 20 in 22nd with a personal-best 23:42.2, and Brian Kiptoo rounded out the Blue Raider scoring with a 43rd-place finish in 24:05.6.
Freshman Gabe Allen — from Knoxville — continued his steady progression this season, clocking a 24:14.3 for 59th place. Vincent Yegon finished 69th in 24:18.8, while Juan Lucas De La Fuente shattered his previous 8k best by more than a minute. Mackdonald Songok was the final Blue Raider across the line with a 24:34.7 finish.
On the women's side, Faith Nyathi and Privilege Chikara were the lone Blue Raider competitors. Nyathi battled an injury after running near the front for much of the race, finishing 31st. Chikara recorded a new personal best in the 6k, finishing 46th in 20:49.8.
The Blue Raider men defeated several Power Five programs — including Texas Tech, Ohio State, TCU, Houston, and Baylor — further proving their case for a spot in the national top-30 rankings to be released Tuesday.
What's Next:
Middle Tennessee will now turn its attention to the Conference USA Championships in Huntsville, Ala., on November 1, where the Blue Raiders will host the meet at John Hunt Cross Country Park.
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
/ Men'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
/ 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 & Field2025 MTSU Soccer Senior Sit Down
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