Saturday, November 2
Oxford, Ala.
(5K) 8:30 a.m.
Jacksonville State University
vs
Conference USA
Jax State Men Place Third, Women Sixth at Conference USA Championship
11/2/2024 4:24:00 PM | Cross Country, Women's Cross Country
Gamecocks Earn Five All-Conference Honors in Oxford
OXFORD, Ala. – "It was a historic day for the Gamecocks!" said Jax State head coach Jeremy Provence following a third-place men's finish and a sixth-place women's finish at the Conference USA cross country championships in Oxford.
The Gamecock men placed four members on the CUSA All-Conference teams, the first four honors in the school's Conference USA era while the Jax State women claimed one spot on the All-Conference team.
"I'm incredibly happy and excited for the teams. They have worked hard for this kind of finish. To have a performance like this at the conference championship meet is what you hope for, and to do it at home is even better!"
Dennis Kipkurui led the Gamecock men with a ninth-place finish, clocking in at 24:11.06 in the 8K. The freshman from Eldoret, Kenya has led Jax State in each of the last three meets.
Kipkurui was joined by Jack Lowe and Mark Roper in the top 20 with Meshack Kosgei rounding out the Gamecock top four in 21st. Senior Rodrigo Fraga was the fifth Jax State individual to cross the finish line in 32nd place.
Lowe, Roper and Kosgei all earned third-team all-conference honors while Kipkurui was a second-team all-conference member.
"For the guys, you could see things starting to come together at the FSU meet," said Provence, "Our top few guys are fantastic finishers. When they connect early in the race, their confidence builds because they know they can move up late."
On the women's side, Beti Jimeno continued to shine, placing 18th and taking home third-team All-CUSA honors. Last week, Jimeno set the school record for the fastest 5K at the Upstate Invitational.
Transfers Olivia King and Emily Coddington each also had noteworthy performances, with the pair placing 34th and 38th respectively. Maxima Majer (44th) and Claudia Rubio Machacon rounded out the Jax State scorers.
"The women didn't have the day we had hoped for, but the growth of this group is incredible. The fact that they are upset with their performance shows how much they care and how far we have come as a group. They are fighters. I know for certain they will find a way to have a great regional meet."
The Gamecocks are set to participate in the NCAA South Regional in Tallahassee, Fla. on Nov. 16. Jacksonville State ran the site of the NCAA South Regional earlier this season when they traveled for the FSU Invitational.
CONFERENCE USA HONORS
MEN'S INDIVIDUAL HONORS
Individual Champions: Allan Kiplagat, MTSU
Outstanding Senior: Gudisa Adnow, Sam Houston
Freshman of the Meet: Allan Kiplagat, MTSU
Coach of the Year: Isaac Wendland, Liberty
MEN'S ALL-CONFERENCE HONOREES
First Team
1. Allan Kiplagat, MTSU
2. Collins KipKemboi, Kennesaw State
3. Tristian Merchant, Liberty
4. Brian Kiptoo, MTSU
5. Gudisa Adnow, Sam Houston
6. Brian Limo, Kennesaw State
7. Nicholas Kiprotich, Liberty
Second Team
8. Nathan Moore, Liberty
9. Dennis Kipkurui, Jax State
10. Jacinto Gaspar, MTSU
11. Jack Cottrell, Liberty
12. Christian Rivera, Sam Houston
13. Thomas Croshaw, NM State
14. Carmelo Cannizzaro, MTSU
Third Team
15. Jack Lowe, Jax State
16. Mario Ruiz, Sam Houston
17. Kyle Harkabus, Liberty
18. Mark Roper, Jacksonville State
19. Vincent Yegon, MTSU
20. Andrew Schultz, Liberty
21. Meshack Kosgei, Jax State
WOMEN'S INDIVIDUAL HONORS
Individual Champion: Odilia Jepchumba, MTSU
Outstanding Senior: Adelyn Fairley, Liberty
Freshman of the Meet: Allie Zealand, Liberty
Coach of the Year: Heather Zealand, Liberty
WOMEN'S ALL-CONFERENCE HONOREES
First Team
1. Odilia Jepchumba, MTSU
2. Adelyn Fairley, Liberty
3. Allie Zealand, Liberty
4. Ruth Jerubet, UTEP
5. Valerie Lastra, FIU
6. Isabela Ross, Liberty
7. Sandra Maiyo, MTSU
Second Team
8. Marie Hostetler, Liberty
9. Ava Gordon, Liberty
10. Emma Ferguson, Kennesaw State
11. Eleanor Towe, MTSU
12. Rachel O'Brien, NM State
13. Molly Lashley, Liberty
14. Katrina Schlenker, Liberty
Third Team
15. Madison Seiler, Kennesaw State
16. Mary Dye, WKU
17. Ali Del Re, FIU
18. Bethelhem Jimeno Manzano, Jax State
19. Khloi Bird, NM State
20. Kinley Kunkel, WKU
21. Ellie Galan, Sam Houston
The Gamecock men placed four members on the CUSA All-Conference teams, the first four honors in the school's Conference USA era while the Jax State women claimed one spot on the All-Conference team.
"I'm incredibly happy and excited for the teams. They have worked hard for this kind of finish. To have a performance like this at the conference championship meet is what you hope for, and to do it at home is even better!"
Dennis Kipkurui led the Gamecock men with a ninth-place finish, clocking in at 24:11.06 in the 8K. The freshman from Eldoret, Kenya has led Jax State in each of the last three meets.
Kipkurui was joined by Jack Lowe and Mark Roper in the top 20 with Meshack Kosgei rounding out the Gamecock top four in 21st. Senior Rodrigo Fraga was the fifth Jax State individual to cross the finish line in 32nd place.
Lowe, Roper and Kosgei all earned third-team all-conference honors while Kipkurui was a second-team all-conference member.
"For the guys, you could see things starting to come together at the FSU meet," said Provence, "Our top few guys are fantastic finishers. When they connect early in the race, their confidence builds because they know they can move up late."
On the women's side, Beti Jimeno continued to shine, placing 18th and taking home third-team All-CUSA honors. Last week, Jimeno set the school record for the fastest 5K at the Upstate Invitational.
Transfers Olivia King and Emily Coddington each also had noteworthy performances, with the pair placing 34th and 38th respectively. Maxima Majer (44th) and Claudia Rubio Machacon rounded out the Jax State scorers.
"The women didn't have the day we had hoped for, but the growth of this group is incredible. The fact that they are upset with their performance shows how much they care and how far we have come as a group. They are fighters. I know for certain they will find a way to have a great regional meet."
The Gamecocks are set to participate in the NCAA South Regional in Tallahassee, Fla. on Nov. 16. Jacksonville State ran the site of the NCAA South Regional earlier this season when they traveled for the FSU Invitational.
CONFERENCE USA HONORS
MEN'S INDIVIDUAL HONORS
Individual Champions: Allan Kiplagat, MTSU
Outstanding Senior: Gudisa Adnow, Sam Houston
Freshman of the Meet: Allan Kiplagat, MTSU
Coach of the Year: Isaac Wendland, Liberty
MEN'S ALL-CONFERENCE HONOREES
First Team
1. Allan Kiplagat, MTSU
2. Collins KipKemboi, Kennesaw State
3. Tristian Merchant, Liberty
4. Brian Kiptoo, MTSU
5. Gudisa Adnow, Sam Houston
6. Brian Limo, Kennesaw State
7. Nicholas Kiprotich, Liberty
Second Team
8. Nathan Moore, Liberty
9. Dennis Kipkurui, Jax State
10. Jacinto Gaspar, MTSU
11. Jack Cottrell, Liberty
12. Christian Rivera, Sam Houston
13. Thomas Croshaw, NM State
14. Carmelo Cannizzaro, MTSU
Third Team
15. Jack Lowe, Jax State
16. Mario Ruiz, Sam Houston
17. Kyle Harkabus, Liberty
18. Mark Roper, Jacksonville State
19. Vincent Yegon, MTSU
20. Andrew Schultz, Liberty
21. Meshack Kosgei, Jax State
WOMEN'S INDIVIDUAL HONORS
Individual Champion: Odilia Jepchumba, MTSU
Outstanding Senior: Adelyn Fairley, Liberty
Freshman of the Meet: Allie Zealand, Liberty
Coach of the Year: Heather Zealand, Liberty
WOMEN'S ALL-CONFERENCE HONOREES
First Team
1. Odilia Jepchumba, MTSU
2. Adelyn Fairley, Liberty
3. Allie Zealand, Liberty
4. Ruth Jerubet, UTEP
5. Valerie Lastra, FIU
6. Isabela Ross, Liberty
7. Sandra Maiyo, MTSU
Second Team
8. Marie Hostetler, Liberty
9. Ava Gordon, Liberty
10. Emma Ferguson, Kennesaw State
11. Eleanor Towe, MTSU
12. Rachel O'Brien, NM State
13. Molly Lashley, Liberty
14. Katrina Schlenker, Liberty
Third Team
15. Madison Seiler, Kennesaw State
16. Mary Dye, WKU
17. Ali Del Re, FIU
18. Bethelhem Jimeno Manzano, Jax State
19. Khloi Bird, NM State
20. Kinley Kunkel, WKU
21. Ellie Galan, Sam Houston
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Cross Country
Sunday, May 17
Saturday, May 16
Wednesday, May 13
Sunday, May 10
