Women’s Cross Country Finish Third at GAC Championships, Kipsang Claims Individual Title
MONTICELLO, Ark. – The East Central University women's cross country team turned in a strong performance at the Great American Conference Championships, earning a third-place team finish for the second consecutive year on Saturday at the University of Arkansas–Monticello. Arkansas Tech claimed the team title, followed by Ouachita Baptist in second.
The highlight of the day came from standout runner
Winnie Kipsang, who captured the individual GAC Championship title with a time of 17:31.91 in the 5K. Her time ranks as the fifth-fastest in GAC Championship history. Kipsang, who has led the Tigers all season, becomes just the third runner in program history to win the individual crown and earn GAC Runner of the Year honors.
Sheilah Bii also delivered an exceptional performance, finishing third overall in 17:47.02 to earn All-GAC First Team recognition and provide key points for the Tigers.
Sheilah Cheruiyot rounded out ECU's All-Conference honorees, placing 14th in 18:26.77 to claim All-GAC Second Team honors.
Also contributing to ECU's scoring effort were
Stephanie Ojo (25th, 18:42.69),
Mercy Kibiwott (28th, 18:49.82), and
Madison Ham (29th, 18:50.19), helping the Tigers total 70 points for their third-place finish. Ham also added to the hardware academically, representing the Tigers as a GAC Elite Scholar Athlete.
Rounding out the Tigers' lineup were
Carolyne Kimaiyo (44th, 19:17.07),
Damaris Chewon (45th, 19:17.28), and
Lindsey Mauppin (113th, 20:58.59).
"We had a great shot at the title and thought we could get it," Head Coach
Steve Sawyer said. "We were leading the championship after 60% of our scorers were finished but couldn't hold strong enough in our depth and we paid for it. As an ECU Tiger the standard is to win. Therefore, we are not satisfied with today's team results. However, we had some great individual performances with
Winnie Kipsang winning the title,
Sheilah Bii getting 3rd, and many others setting personal best times but as a whole we are better. We will get back at it at the regional championship in a few weeks where we expect to be atop the conference amongst many other regional schools."
The Tigers will now take a short break before returning to competition at the NCAA Division II Central Region Championships in Joplin, Missouri, on Nov. 8.
