Track & Field Opens 2024 Season at Mark Phillips Open
KANSAS – The East Central University track and field programs opened up the 2024 outdoor season on Saturday at the Mark Phillips Open hosted by Cowley County Community College.
ECU Men Results |
ECU Women Results
The men's team was highlighted by
Aspel Kiprob, who won the 1500 meters crossing the finish line in a time of 3:54.52 while
Zoe Grooms marked her collegiate debut with a commendable second-place finish in the women's high jump, setting a new ECU record by clearing 1.58 meters.
"Competing against teams who just came off a full indoor season was tough for our kids because those competitors were sharper than we were," Head Coach Steve Sawyer explained. "But I think we were able to manage that and did as well as could be expected."
The Tiger men excelled in the running events, particularly the 1500 meter run, where they secured a remarkable 1-2-3 finish by
Aspel Kiprob,
Peter Kipkemboi, and
Paul Korir. Kipkemboi finished closely behind Kiprob with a time of 3:55.55 while Korir followed in his time of 3:59.50, all nearing the ECU record of 3:52.74 previously held by Juan Pacheco in 2015.
Oliver Kiptoo also finished top-10 in the event, coming in seventh place with a time of 4:06.39.
In the women's events, the Tigers had a big showing in the jumps as well as the 1500 meter run. Alongside
Zoe Grooms second-place high jump,
Kaylyn Cotner finished sixth overall at 1.53 meters, narrowly missing her personal best and previous school record of 1.55m.
Other notable performances from this weekend include top-10 finishes from
Damaris Chewon,
Naomy Limatukei,
Sheilah Cheruiyot, and
Aurelia Jepkorir in the 1500 meters. Chewon began her journey with the Tigers on a high note leading the squad with a fifth-place finish in a time of 4:56.04 while Limatukei was next in sixth at 4:56.98. Cheruiyot followed in ninth place with a time of 4:59.56 while Jepkorir secured 10
th crossing the line at 5:00.84.
Up next, the ECU track and field programs will compete at the OBU Invitational beginning Friday, March 29 in Shawnee.
