Blue Raider Men Capture CUSA Championship; Kiplagat Repeats as Individual Champion

Saturday, November 1

Huntsville, Ala.

Middle Tennessee

Conference USA Championship

11/1/2025 5:42:00 PM | Men's Cross Country and Track & Field, Women's Cross Country and Track & Field, Track & Field/Cross Country

By: Jayce Standridge, MTSU Athletic Communications

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Middle Tennessee men's cross country claimed the Conference USA Championship title Saturday, Nov. 1, at John Hunt Park, fulfilling their preseason projection as conference favorites.

Reigning All-American Allan Kiplagat led the Blue Raiders with his second consecutive CUSA Individual Title, finishing six seconds ahead of the field in 23:34.82 to secure back-to-back championships.

Senior Jacinto Gaspar delivered a career-best performance, placing fourth with a time of 23:54.3, his fastest at the course. Veteran Brian Kiptoo capped off his CUSA Championship career with a ninth-place finish in 24:04.16, followed closely by Moses Lekokei in 10th (24:08.24).

Solomon Sayo, named Conference USA Freshman of the Year, rounded out MTSU's top five with a 15th-place finish in 24:22.11. Mackdonald Songok earned CUSA Third Team honors with a 20th-place showing (24:30.05). Gabe Allen (22nd), Juan Lucas (27th), Vincent Yegon (41st) and Kelvin Tanui (44th) also contributed to the dominant team effort.

Middle Tennessee totaled 37 points to take first, followed by Liberty (55) and Jacksonville State (92).

On the women's side, Faith Nyathi paced the Blue Raiders with a third-place finish in the 6k (20:25.37), earning CUSA First Team honors and the Outstanding Senior award as the top-finishing senior. Privillege Chikara claimed Second Team honors with a 10th-place finish (20:47.04), while Odilia Jepchumba placed 15th (20:53.17) for Third Team recognition.

Rounding out the women's team, Eleanor Towe finished 59th (22:16.19), followed by Nancy Maiyo (69th) in her season debut, Agnes Chepkurui (70th), Haillee Gorham (74th), Lauren Cole (76th), Lily Storey (79th) and Emma Thomas (95th).

Head Coach (Keith Vroman)
"This team came together as far as training goes is probably the best group that I've ever had. There are a lot of components this year when you have a team that is close … Allan works hard. I don't think there is any secret sauce to running fast, he just works hard and is a great leader. He has goals and sticks with them."

What's Next?
Both squads will return to John Hunt Park in two weeks on Nov. 14 for the NCAA South Region Championship. The men's squad is looking for at least a second place finish to send them to the National Championship in Missouri later this month.

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