Gamecocks Control Podium at FSU Invitational

Friday, October 9

Tallahassee, Fla.

8K | 7:40 AM

Jax State

FSU Invitational

Results Results (PDF)

10/9/2026 11:31:00 AM | Cross Country, Women's Cross Country

Men's Results Women's Results

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – Despite the rain at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Fla., the Jax State Cross Country program put together a strong performance across both teams at the FSU Invitational on Friday morning that saw a first-place team finish for the men's team and a runner-up finish for the women's squad.

"Great team effort," head coach Jeremy Provence said. "We are running very well up front, which gives the team a chance to be successful. Our second group continues to improve. If we can keep moving in the right direction, we will be in a good spot heading into the conference championship."

Beginning the day was the men's 8k, in which Jax State placed eight of its nine runners in the top-25. Three Gamecocks placed first, second and third, respectively, in the event, with freshman Shadrack Kipkurgat leading them all with a 24:19.7 for his second first-place overall finish of the season. The mark is the seventh-fastest 8k time in program history.

Trailing Kipkurgat was junior Mark Roper in the No. 2 position, running a time of 24:48.4 in the 8k. Taking the final spot on the podium in the men's race was sophomore Linus Chepkochei who ran a 24:50.6 to place third.

Rounding out the top 10 for Jax State was Miguel Del Rosario's eighth-place finish with a time of 25:47.2. Behind him was Augusto Caceres (11^th, 26:02.3), Pai Wynyard (17^th, 26:22.9), Stephen Billman (18^th, 26:23.2) and Thomas Dewey (25^th, 26:33.1). In all, the field consisted of 121 runners.

"The men did a great job of getting into position early and I think this was the key to our success," Provence said. "We have some strong closers, so if we can get into position early, I'm confident in the guys' ability to finish the race."

On the women's side, Provence's unit tallied three top-ten finishers in the 6k, with Jax State claiming the top two finishing positions. Freshman Mercy Sergon led the way in the women's race, running a time of 20:53.5 to finish first in her first collegiate 6k. Sergon's time is the third-fastest in team history.

Just behind her was sophomore teammate Viola Jepleting who placed second with a time of 21:36.7 in the event. Faith Kurgoi was Jax State's other top-ten finisher in the 6k, with an eighth-place finish at a time of 22:29.6.

Three more Gamecocks managed to finish in the top-25 as well, including Naum Kibiwott (17^th, 22:50.3), Selina Planken (18^th, 22:57.2) and Maddyn Conn (22^nd, 23:12.7). In all, the field consisted of 138 runners.

"For the women, it was really similar start to the men's race," Provence said. "I was really happy with how we competed over the first three to four kilometers. Our success will depend on how well we can finish over the last couple of kilometers. Those final two to three kilometers are critical in the postseason."

The team title for the men's group is the second of the year for Jax State, placing first out of 12 schools. The women's runner-up placement is its third of the season, finishing outside of the top five as a team in a meet just once this season at Southern Showcase. The women's team placed second out of 16 programs in Tallahassee.

"I'm really proud of Shadrack [Kipkurgat] and Mercy [Sergon|," Provence said. "One of our goals was to win the individual competitions and they both stepped up and got it done. They both have the ability to compete with the best at the Conference USA Championship."

The cross country program will be back in action next weekend as well, heading to North Alabama for the Kennemer Classic on Oct. 16.