Kipkurgat Breaks School Record, Leads Team Effort at Southern Showcase

Friday, September 18

Huntsville, Ala.

8K | 7:30 AM

Jax State

Southern Showcase

Results Results (PDF)

Kipkurgat Breaks School Record, Leads Team Effort at Southern Showcase

9/18/2026 12:58:00 PM | Cross Country, Women's Cross Country

Official Results Photo Gallery Photo Gallery 2

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The Jax State cross country team traveled to its second in-state meet of the season at the Southern Showcase in Huntsville and put together a strong showing across both teams in the Rocket City, highlighted by a brand new school record on the men's squad.

"We showed our potential as a team," head coach Jeremy Provence said. "We have individuals on both sides who can compete with the best in Conference USA and in the region."

The men's team began the day with the 8k and placed No. 6 as a unit out of 29 schools. The Gamecocks bested several familiar foes such as Auburn, Belmont, Arkansas State, North Alabama and Chattanooga in the contest. The 8k was the first of the season by the men's team, highlighted by a pair of top-15 overall finishers.

"The men were the second-best team out there if you scored the top three from each school," Provence said. "The focus will be closing the gap in our 4-5 spots if we want to be a serious contender at the conference championship."

Freshman Shadrack Kipkurgat was Jax State's top overall finisher of the day, setting a new school record with a time of 23:32.0 to place No. 7 overall. Kipkurgat's time broke the previous program best by 30 seconds, set in 2005. Trailing not far behind him was sophomore Linus Chepkochei who took home a No. 14 overall finish with a 24:13.0 time. The tandem were up against 302 runners in all.

"Really proud of Shadrack," Provence said. "He is a competitor. He puts himself in position and wants to win no matter the race. I'm excited to see how he continues to progress this season."

Also placing in the top-100 competitors was junior Mark Roper who took home a No. 24 finish with a 24:30.9 mark. Following him was sophomore Augusto Caceres (25:31.1, 91^st) and Miguel Del Rosario (25:36.4, 97^th).

On the women's side, the group placed No. 7 out of 31 schools in the 5k, finishing higher than Georgia Tech, Delaware, Belmont, Baylor and Samford. The Gamecocks had five runners finish in the top-100, including a pair of freshmen.

"We can run a little better up front, but our 5-6-7-8 spots are continuing to show progress," Provence said. "It will take the rest of the season, but I truly believe that this is a group that has a high ceiling."

Leading the women's team was freshman Mercy Sergon who placed No. 17 overall with a 17:12.2 time. Sergon set the school record in the women's 5k just two weeks ago at the Foothills Invitational. Trailing Sergon was sophomore Viola Jepleting's 17:21.9 time to place No. 24 overall.

Rounding out the top-100 for Jax State was senior Charity Mabuza (17:40.3, 39^th), sophomore Faith Kurgoi (18:03.7, 62^nd) and freshman Katie Mae Coan (18:26.1, 96^th). All members of the women's team placed in the top-200 out of a field of 309 runners in all.

"Charity stepped up and had a career day," Provence said. "She has been training really well, so it's great to see her putting things together and pushing on meet day."

The Gamecocks will have a week off before returning to action on Oct. 2 at the Georgia Tech Invitational in Douglasville, Ga. The men's 8k is set to begin at 8:30 a.m., followed by the women's 6k at 9:20 a.m.