Friday, September 4
Oxford, Ala.
5k | 8:30 AM
Jax State
vs
Foothills Invitational
Cross Country Prevails at Season Opening Foothills Invitational
9/4/2026 1:26:00 PM | Cross Country, Women's Cross Country
OXFORD, Ala. – The Jax State cross country program began its 2026 season in excellent fashion at the 20th Annual Foothills Invitational at Choccolocco Park on Friday morning, earning a team victory on the men's side for the third consecutive season, a runner-up team finish for the women's squad and a new school record in the women's 5K.
"Very proud of both teams today," head coach Jeremy Provence said. "They represented Jax State very well today and it was a very encouraging start to the season. We got into position early and worked really well in our groups. We wanted to race smart in the first half so that we had the opportunity to compete and move up over the last two kilometers. I was very happy with how we executed that plan."
In just her first ever collegiate meet, freshman Mercy Sergon put together a stellar performance in the 5K, finishing at a time of 17:08.7 to set a new school record in the event, along with being the second-place finisher overall. Sergon managed to break the previous school record by nearly 13 seconds, originally set by teammate Faith Kurgoi last season.
Trailing right behind Sergon was Viola Jepleting who placed third overall with a time of 17:35.1 and Charity Mabuza who placed ninth with a 18:04.9 mark. The Gamecocks had four other runners place in the top-25, including Kurgoi (12th), Naum Kibiwott (20th), Katie Mae Coan (21st) and Selina Planken (22nd).
As a team, the women's unit placed second out of 20 teams, finishing just behind Auburn and ahead of UAB and Samford in third and fourth, respectively.
"We have the opportunity for a few individuals to make a big impact for the women's team," Provence said. "We still need to tighten up some areas, but I'm confident that we have the ability to do that as the season unfolds."
For the men's team, the Gamecocks put together a dominating performance that featured nine of the top 15 overall finishers in the 5K. Jax State's Shadrack Kipkurgat (15:04.8), Linus Chepkochei (15:18.1), Mark Roper (15:21.3) and Miguel Angel del Rosario (15:22.0) placed second, third, fourth and fifth, respectively.
"The depth of the men's team really showed," Provence said. "We had a strong group of guys working together and placing nine in the top 15 runners will set you up for success."
Rounding out the remainder of the top-15 overall finishers for Jax State were Beltran Flores (7th), Augusto Caceres (10th), Pai Wynyard (11th), Juan Camacho Tabuenca (14th) and Thomas Dewey (15th). Additionally, Stephen Billman clocked a sub 16-minute time to place 24th. Of the nine Gamecocks that placed in the top-15, three of them were freshmen.
The Jax State men's squad placed ahead of Auburn and Samford, defeating the second-place Tigers by 61 points.
"Very proud of both teams today," head coach Jeremy Provence said. "They represented Jax State very well today and it was a very encouraging start to the season. We got into position early and worked really well in our groups. We wanted to race smart in the first half so that we had the opportunity to compete and move up over the last two kilometers. I was very happy with how we executed that plan."
In just her first ever collegiate meet, freshman Mercy Sergon put together a stellar performance in the 5K, finishing at a time of 17:08.7 to set a new school record in the event, along with being the second-place finisher overall. Sergon managed to break the previous school record by nearly 13 seconds, originally set by teammate Faith Kurgoi last season.
Trailing right behind Sergon was Viola Jepleting who placed third overall with a time of 17:35.1 and Charity Mabuza who placed ninth with a 18:04.9 mark. The Gamecocks had four other runners place in the top-25, including Kurgoi (12th), Naum Kibiwott (20th), Katie Mae Coan (21st) and Selina Planken (22nd).
As a team, the women's unit placed second out of 20 teams, finishing just behind Auburn and ahead of UAB and Samford in third and fourth, respectively.
"We have the opportunity for a few individuals to make a big impact for the women's team," Provence said. "We still need to tighten up some areas, but I'm confident that we have the ability to do that as the season unfolds."
For the men's team, the Gamecocks put together a dominating performance that featured nine of the top 15 overall finishers in the 5K. Jax State's Shadrack Kipkurgat (15:04.8), Linus Chepkochei (15:18.1), Mark Roper (15:21.3) and Miguel Angel del Rosario (15:22.0) placed second, third, fourth and fifth, respectively.
"The depth of the men's team really showed," Provence said. "We had a strong group of guys working together and placing nine in the top 15 runners will set you up for success."
Rounding out the remainder of the top-15 overall finishers for Jax State were Beltran Flores (7th), Augusto Caceres (10th), Pai Wynyard (11th), Juan Camacho Tabuenca (14th) and Thomas Dewey (15th). Additionally, Stephen Billman clocked a sub 16-minute time to place 24th. Of the nine Gamecocks that placed in the top-15, three of them were freshmen.
The Jax State men's squad placed ahead of Auburn and Samford, defeating the second-place Tigers by 61 points.
Players Mentioned
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Cross Country
Tuesday, September 01
Tuesday, August 25
Friday, August 14
Friday, August 14
