Cross Country teams advance to nationals
by Caroline Basile, associate editor
South
Plains College’s men’s and women’s cross country teams will
be headed to the National Junior College Athletic
Association’s National Championship meet after strong
performances at the NJCAA Region V championship.
Both squads were to conclude their season by competing Nov.
10 at Rend Lake College in Ina, Ill. Results were not
available at press time.
The Lady Texans team will try to defend their title, as they
are ranked fourth in the nation, behind top-ranked Butler
(KS) College.
The Texans, who are currently ranked sixth in the country,
will try and capture the title for the men’s division.
Kosgei will enter the meet with the fastest 8K time in the
nation, while Samoei is ranked second and Melly is 13th.
SPC’s men’s team
finished first at the Region V meet in El Paso with 29
points. El Paso Community College placed second with 33
points.
Sophomore John Kosgei continued to add to his excellent
season by placing first with a time of 24:47. Kosgei has
placed either first or second in every race he has competed
in.
SPC’s
Fred Samoei placed third in a time of 25:11, while Javier
Perez finished fifth in 27:01. T.K. Revis placed ninth with
a time of 27:58, Mike Hernandez finished 11th
with a time of 28:09, Jorge Castillo placed 13th
in 28:26,
Chris Salazar finished 17th in 29:40, Chris Jones placed
19th in a time of 30:00 and Mike Rodriguez placed 21st with
a time of 30:15.
The Lady Texans came within one point of claiming the team
title, finishing with 28 points. El Paso Community College
finished first with 27.
SPC’s Lillian Badaru placed first overall with a time of
17:41. Badaru is a favorite to win an individual title at
the NJCAA cross country championships. She also has the
fastest time in the nation for the 5K race.
Also for SPC, Florence Jepchirchir, who holds the second
fastest time in the nation for the race, was second in
18:54, while Crystal Dickinson was sixth with a time of
19:53, Meagan Willingham was ninth in 20:53, Melinda Burrola
finished 10th with a time of 21:15, Jessica
Kirchner placed 12th in a time of 22:29 and Megan Erickson
finished 13th with a time of 23:45.
/071two%20track%20guys.jpg)
Two members of SPC's men's cross country team compete at the
Subway/SPC Cross Country Festival recently.
Photo by Emily Dunlop/Plainsman Press
