Badaru, Kosgei Place First at OSU Cowboy Jamboree

STILLWATER, Okla. – A pair of South Plains College cross country runners placed first in the University division of the Oklahoma State University Cowboy Jamboree Saturday in Stillwater, Okla.

SPC's Lillian Badaru won the women's 5000 meter race with a time of 17:15, while SPC sophomore John Kosgei took first place in the men's 8000 meter race with a time of 23:42.

The Lady Texans team finished third overall with 157 points. Missouri State was first with 58 points, while Tulsa University was second with 75.

In addition to Badaru's first-place finish, SPC's Florence Jepchirchi finished fifth (18:11), Gladys Chumba was 11th (18:28), Crystal Dickinson was 43rd (19:35), Meagan Willingham was 97th (20:51), Melinda Burrola was 106th (21:15), Jessica Kirchner was 110th (21:38) and Megan Erickson was 145th (23:01).

The South Plains men's team finished fifth overall with 186 points. Oklahoma State was first with 69, Abilene Christian was second with 69, Arkansas was third with 73 and Tulsa was fourth with 87.

In addition to Kosgei's first-place finish, SPC's Fred Samoei was ninth (24:25), Josphat Melly was 38th (26:03), Javier Perez was 65th (27:06), T.K. Revis was 73rd (27:31), Mike Hernandez was 84th (27:50), Jorge Castillo was 88th (28:13), Chris Salazar was 125th (28:24) and Mike Rodriguez was 146th (29:15).

The SPC cross country teams won't be back in action until Oct. 13 when they host the SPC/Subway Invite in Levelland.