Kipkemboi and Korir Combine for Three Titles to Lead Men’s Track & Field at GAC Championships
SHAWNEE, Okla. – The East Central University men's track & field team delivered a strong showing at the 2025 Great American Conference (GAC) Outdoor Championships this past weekend in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Led by a dominant distance squad, ECU racked up several podium finishes, with
Melvin Kipkemboi and
Paul Korir standing out among the top performers.
GAC Men's Track & Field Results
Kipkemboi was the team's standout athlete of the weekend, capturing two GAC titles. He won the 10,000 meters in a commanding time of 30:31.60 and followed it up with another first-place finish in the 5,000 meters, clocking in at 14:45.05. His efforts contributed significantly to the Tigers' team standings. Korir added to the hardware haul with a gold medal of his own in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, where he crossed the line in 9:12.77. He also secured a silver medal in the 5,000 meters (14:55.46) and added a point to the team total with an eighth-place finish in the 1500 meters (4:03.32).
Brian Mitei also played a major role in ECU's scoring efforts. He placed third in the 800-meter finals with a time of 1:54.20. But Mitei wasn't done there, finishing fifth in the 1500 meters in 4:02.18, giving ECU yet another key contributor in the middle distances.
Amos Pkiach added to the strong weekend with a silver medal in the 10,000 meters (30:42.14) and a third-place finish in the 5,000 meters (14:56.87). Also scoring in the long-distance events was
Oliver Kiptoo, who took fifth in the 10,000 meters with a time of 31:26.35, while
Aspel Kiprob placed eighth in the steeplechase to round out the scoring performances.
Maverick Stephenson, in his final GAC meet, delivered a gritty run in the 10,000 meters, placing 13th overall with a time of 32:19.80.
The Tigers showed their depth in the 800 meters and 1500 meters, even outside of the scoring positions. ECU showcased eight total men in the 800 meters preliminaries, with strong efforts from
Harley Cobb (2:00.20),
Aidan Wells (2:00.22), Ladon Vance (2:00.55),
AJ Gustin (2:01.11),
Joshua Robertson (2:04.89),
Huston Holder (2:08.08), and
Elijah Bloyed (2:15.64). In the 1500 meters, ECU fielded a large group that included Cobb (4:13.65), Gustin (4:21.22), Vance (4:26.54), Holder (4:29.84), Robertson (4:31.15),
Michael Iyali (4:08.93), and Wells (4:10.58). While not all reached scoring positions, their presence added to the team's depth this season.
In the sprints,
Curtis Johnson led the Tigers in the 100-meter preliminaries with a time of 11.08, placing 18th overall.
Ronnie Mukwada and
Nam Grant also competed, finishing in 11.29 and 11.66, respectively. Mukwada returned in the 200 meters and clocked 22.41 for 18th, while
Jeremiah Rice posted a time of 24.75. Rice also competed in the 400 meters, finishing in 55.40.
Field events saw multiple Tigers in action. In the shot put,
John Vaughan led the way with a mark of 12.83 meters, followed by
Mekii Bell (12.22m) and
Jaxon Merchant (12.05m). The discus saw strong efforts from
Devionte Fuller (35.30m), Merchant (34.91m), Vaughan (34.82m), and
Cade Duvall (32.99m). Duvall also competed in the javelin, throwing 32.66 meters to finish 17th.
