At the American Conference Championships, held at Frank Liske Park in Concord, North Carolina, Wichita State celebrated significant achievements in both men’s and women’s cross country events. Elkana Kipruto not only secured the American Conference men’s individual title but also made history as the first athlete from Wichita State to win this title.
Kipruto’s Historic Victory
Elkana Kipruto, representing Wichita State, emerged victorious in the men’s 8K race, clocking a time of 23:16.6. This win marks the university’s first American Conference men’s title since its membership began in 2017.
Kipruto’s journey in the race was notable as he consistently contested with Tulane’s Bernard Cheruiyot, who is ranked fifth in the NCAA. In a thrilling finish, Kipruto triumphed over Cheruiyot by nine seconds, showcasing strategic racing skills.
Coaching Praise
Head coach Kirk Hunter lauded Kipruto’s performance, stating, “He ran a spectacular race.” Kipruto becomes the first men’s conference champion for Wichita State since Mornay Annandale claimed the Missouri Valley Conference title in 1992.
Team Performance
Wichita State’s men’s team finished third overall with a total of 59 points. Tulsa claimed their 11th team title, while Tulane was second. Notably, Kipruto was supported by teammates Kelvin Kipyego, who finished sixth, and Adrian Diaz Lopez, who secured the 12th position. Both were recognized in the all-conference team.
- Kelvin Kipyego: 6th place, 23:47.0
- Adrian Diaz Lopez: 12th place, 24:00.2
- Zander Cobb: 17th place, 24:14.8
- Jacob Meyers: 23rd place, 24:27.2
Women’s Freshman Recognition
In the women’s 6K race, freshman Mercy Jepkoech shined as she finished 10th with a time of 20:44.5, earning all-conference honors and the title of American Conference Women’s Freshman of the Year.
Strong Team Results
Jepkoech, hailing from Eldoret, Kenya, was the first true freshman to complete the race. Redshirt-senior Lucy Ndungu also performed well, finishing 12th and earning her second all-conference award.
- Mercy Jepkoech: 10th place, 20:44.5
- Lucy Ndungu: 12th place, 20:48.5
- Sarah Bertry: 18th place, 21:03.5
- Faith Ekart: 48th place, 22:06.2
- Francesca Alvarado: 52nd place, 22:16.3
Overall Team Results
The results for the men’s and women’s teams were as follows:
Men’s Team Results
| Team | Points |
|---|---|
| Tulsa | 35 |
| Tulane | 41 |
| Wichita State | 59 |
| Charlotte | 96 |
| Rice | 179 |
| Other Teams | Various |
Women’s Team Results
| Team | Points |
|---|---|
| Tulane | 36 |
| Rice | 72 |
| Wichita State | 132 |
| Other Teams | Various |
Wichita State demonstrated strong performances, with Kipruto’s historic title and Jepkoech’s recognition as notable highlights of the American Conference Championships.
