Cross Country Opens Season at RSU Invitational
TULSA, Okla. – The East Central University cross country team opened up the 2023 season with a late-night race under the lights at the Rogers State Invitational held in Tulsa on Thursday.
The women's team cruised to a third-place finish with 67 points, 39 points ahead of fourth place, while the men's team finished fifth.
In the women's three-mile race, junior
Aurelia Jepkorir paced ECU in fifth place with a time of 17:37.62 while
Naomy Limatukei and
Sheilah Cheruiyot placed ninth and tenth in a time of 17:44.41 and 17:48.34, respectively in their first season with the Tigers.
In the men's four-mile race, 2022 All-GAC First Team selection,
Melvin Kipkemboi, led the Tigers with a third-place finish in a time of 19:58.79. Sophomore
AJ Gustin and junior
Maverick Stephenson placed in the top 25, with Gustin finishing 21
st in a time of 20:48.46 and Stephenson crossing the line at 20:55.95.
Cassie Wright,
Lindsey Mauppin,
Jordan Garcia,
Connor Childs,
Landon Vance, and
Harley Cobb all made their collegiate debut.
ECU will be back in action on Saturday, Sept. 16 at the Missouri Southern Stampede hosted by Missouri Southern in Joplin, Missouri.
Women's
9
Naomy Limatukei 17:44.41
10
Sheilah Cheruiyot 17:48.34
21
Madison Ham 18:15.41
22
Abigael Kemboi 18:22.21
31
Sharon Jesang 19:05.80
41
Cassie Wright 20:02.31
45
Lindsey Mauppin 20:22.76
Men's
21
AJ Gustin 20:48.46
25
Maverick Stephenson 20:55.95
33
Jordan Garcia 21:25.80
38
Connor Childs 21:34.48
40
Zander Wood 21:40.82
50
Landon Vance 22:48.34
51
Harley Cobb 22:57.17
55
Joshua Robertson 23:51.24
58
Elijah Bloyed 24:30.67
