CARY, N.C. – The Norfolk State men's cross country team won its seventh consecutive MEAC Championship on Friday, Oct. 30, tying the program record set by the Spartan teams that won seven straight titles from 2000 to 2006. NSU scored 35 points and finished 27 points ahead of runner-up Delaware State at WakeMed Soccer Park.
Director of Track & Field Kenneth Giles was named the MEAC Men's Most Outstanding Coach.
Freshman Clinton Kipruto led the way in his first conference championship, finishing second overall in 23:57.3 on the 8K course. Kipruto was the only Spartan to break 24 minutes and closed with the team's fastest final segment, covering the last stretch in 29.0 seconds.
Junior Ian Kimutai was right behind him in third at 24:11.0, giving NSU two of the top three finishers.
Sophomore Daniel Mathenge (24:56.0) and junior Mohammed Mrahi (24:58.6) went back-to-back in eighth and ninth, separated by just 2.6 seconds, to put four Spartans in the top 10. Sophomore Jemmel Green rounded out the scoring five in 13th place at 25:22.7.
Junior Mathew Kipkoech finished 22nd in 26:11.2, and senior Basil Koech crossed in 47th at 29:56.1.
All five of NSU's scorers earned All-MEAC honors for finishing in the top 15: Kipruto, Kimutai, Mathenge, Mrahi and Green.
QUOTE FROM GILES
"The men did an outstanding job, even with last year's individual champ, Lewis Too, going down early in the race with an injury," Giles said. "We competed against superior competition all season (Big East, ACC, Big Ten, A-10), which prepared us for this meet.
"We have had the target on our backs all season, and we know it's not easy to win championships for seven consecutive years, but the men know the expectations, and under no circumstances will they fall short!"
NSU Individual Results – 8K
2. Clinton Kipruto (FR) – 23:57.3 - PR
3. Ian Kimutai (JR) – 24:11.0
8. Daniel Mathenge (SO) – 24:56.0 - PR
9. Mohammed Mrahi (JR) – 24:58.6 - PR
13. Jemmel Green (SO) – 25:22.7 - PR
22. Mathew Kipkoech (JR) – 26:11.2
47. Basil Koech (SR) – 29:56.1
UP NEXT
The Spartans return to action at the NCAA Southeast Regional, hosted by USC Upstate, on Friday, Nov. 13, at the Milliken Center in Spartanburg, S.C.
