Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Cross Country to begin Season at Memphis Twilight Classic
9/4/2026 5:00:00 PM | Track & Field/Cross Country
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Middle Tennessee cross country teams will open their season Saturday night at the Memphis Twilight Classic at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex in Memphis, Tenn. The women's race will begin at 9:20 p.m., while the men's race will start at 10 p.m.
Quick Notes:
Series History
This year marks the tenth year the Blue Raiders will compete at the Memphis Twilight Classic. Last year, the women's team finished third with 68 points, while the men's team finished second with 41 points.
On the men's side, four racers finished in the top 30. Kiplagat won the race, claiming the individual championship with a time of 18:38.99. Allen finished 14th with a time of 19:52.15, followed by Solomon Sayo in 19th at 20:02.96 and Juan Lucas de la Fúente 30th at 20:38.39.
On the women's side, three racers finished in the top 30. Privillege Chikara finished fourth with a time of 17:19.77. Eleanor Towe placed 25th in 18:42.38, while Hailee Gorham finished 30th at 18:49.39.
Follow the Blue Raiders
Stay up to date with Blue Raiders Cross Country and Track and Field on Instagram (@MTTrackField), X (@MT_TrackField), and Facebook (@MTTrack)
Quick Notes:
- Head Coach Keith Vroman enters the season after being named XC Head Coach of the Year for the fifth time in his career. Vroman led the Blue Raiders to two team victories last season, winning the Louisville Classic and the Conference USA Championship.
- The men's team returns as defending champions after winning the Conference USA Championship at John Hunt Park last season.
- The Blue Raiders racing this weekend are Gabe Allen, Juan Lucas de la Fúente, Kelvin Tanui, Solomon Sayo, Moses Lekokei, Mackdonald Songok and Allan Kiplagat. The women competing are Privillege Chikara, Eleanor Towe, Hailee Gorham, Evalyne Wambui, Elizabeth Magoma, and Lauren Cole.
- Allan Kiplagat, Moses Lekokei, and Solomon Sayo each earned individual conference honors last season. Kiplagat was named XC Athlete of the Year, Lekokei earned Men's Newcomer of the Year, and Sayo was named Conference USA Freshman of the Year.
- Privillege Chikara earned Second Team honors at the Conference USA Championship after placing 10th with a time of 5:34.5
- Vroman adds newcomers Evalyne Wambui and Elizabeth Magoma, who will compete at the Memphis Twilight Classic for the first time.
Series History
This year marks the tenth year the Blue Raiders will compete at the Memphis Twilight Classic. Last year, the women's team finished third with 68 points, while the men's team finished second with 41 points.
On the men's side, four racers finished in the top 30. Kiplagat won the race, claiming the individual championship with a time of 18:38.99. Allen finished 14th with a time of 19:52.15, followed by Solomon Sayo in 19th at 20:02.96 and Juan Lucas de la Fúente 30th at 20:38.39.
On the women's side, three racers finished in the top 30. Privillege Chikara finished fourth with a time of 17:19.77. Eleanor Towe placed 25th in 18:42.38, while Hailee Gorham finished 30th at 18:49.39.
Follow the Blue Raiders
Stay up to date with Blue Raiders Cross Country and Track and Field on Instagram (@MTTrackField), X (@MT_TrackField), and Facebook (@MTTrack)
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