Kipkemboi Named Newcomer of the Year; Women’s Team Takes 4th at LSC Championships

10/23/2021 | Cross Country

LAWTON, Okla. – Eastern New Mexico University had two runners place in the top-ten at the 2021 Lone Star Conference Cross Country Championships on Saturday morning in Lawton, Okla. Kelvin Kipkemboi highlighted the day being named LSC Newcomer of the Year, with the women’s program finishing in 4^th out of a 16-team field, while the men’s team placed in 11^th in a field of 14 LSC programs.

The women’s program was led by Aminata Kenyawani who finished with a time of 22:42.83 on the 6K course, a career best for the senior. Kenyawani’s time earned a 9^th place finish in the field of 125 runners. Dorcas Kosgei posted a 15^thplace finish, crossing the line in 23.21.25, to earn all-conference honors with Kenyawani.

Lethabo Seema was the next Eastern runner to finish, running the course in 23:34.66, for 21^st place. Shortly after, Malethabo Seema clocked a time of 23:49.42 to finish in 28^th. Marta Pascoa and Neri Getraide each placed in the top-40, with the former finishing the race in 24:04.09, 35^th place, and the latter crossing the line in 24:17.42, 39^th place.

Dallas Baptist were crowned champions of the women’s meet with a team score of 35 points, with West Texas A&M just behind with 38 points, and Texas A&M International rounding out the top three with 96 team points. The Hounds accumulated 106 team points for fourth place, ahead of the next team by 49 points in team scoring.

Kipkemboi was the top runner for ENMU in the men’s 8K championship, with a time of 26:10.88 turning in a 10^th place finish in a pack of 114 runner, and taking home Newcomer of the Year along with all-conference honors. Eastern’s next runner was Sylvestre Kibara, who clocked a time of 26:59.61, crossing the line in 28^th place.

Japhet Toroitich (27:31.67) finished the race in 43^rd, Devis Cheruiyot (28:22.43) crossed the line in 59^thplace. Zane Seidel was the fifth runner for the Hounds, finishing with a time 31:41.86.

West Texas A&M blew the field away to claim the men’s championship, with a team score of 42, with St. Edward’s finishing second on 143 team points. Dallas Baptist grabbed 145 team points for third, while Eastern had 232 team points to place 11^th.

Eastern New Mexico will now turn their attention to the NCAA Division II South Central Regional Championships on Nov. 6 in Lubbock, Texas.