Cross Country Opens 2025 Season with Strong Runner-Up Finishes at Cameron
LAWTON, Okla. – The East Central University men's and women's cross country teams kicked off their 2025 season on a high note Friday, competing at the Aggie Duels Invitational in Lawton, Oklahoma, hosted by Cameron University.
Both Tiger squads turned in impressive performances, earning second-place team finishes. The women's team tallied 60 points to place second out of ten teams, while the men's team scored 73 points for second place in a competitive nine-team field that included Division I programs. ECU was the top-finishing Great American Conference team in both the 5k and 8k races.
Women's Highlights
Winnie Kipsang and
Sheilah Bii led the charge for the ECU women, finishing 6th (18:27.30) and 8th (19:00.26), respectively.
Mercy Kibiwott followed close behind in 11th (19:10.61), with
Sheilah Cheruiyot and
Stephanie Ojo placing 17th (19:34.99) and 18th (19:35.25) to round out the Tigers' top-20 finishers.
Also contributing to the team's solid showing were
Damaris Chewon (34th - 20:31.12),
Carolyne Kimaiyo (47th - 1:15.61),
Emilly Silva (60th - 22:14.45), and
Lindsey Mauppin (61st - 22:16.01).
West Texas A&M claimed the women's title with a perfect score of 15 points.
Men's Highlights
On the men's side,
Donald Kipsang and
Paul Korir led ECU with top-10 finishes, placing 6th (25:07.32) and 7th (25:07.35), respectively.
Kennedy Bett (14th – 25:40.14) and
Brian Mitei (15th – 25:41.07) added key back-to-back finishes to keep the Tigers near the top.
Huston Holder (43rd – 30:20.98) and
Ladon Vance (51st – 32:58.74) rounded out the Tiger scorers.
The University of Oklahoma captured the men's team title with 23 points.
Up Next
The Tigers will return to action on Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Missouri Southern Stampede in Joplin, Missouri.
