COLFAX, Wash. – The Washington State cross country team hosted its first event of the season, competing in the WSU Alumni Open at Colfax Golf and Country Club, Friday evening. Freshmen Zenah Cheptoo and Evans Kurui blazed to course records and first-place finishes in their respective races.
 
In her first action as a Cougar, Cheptoo captured first place in the women's 4k, clocking a course record time of 13:05.16. Junior Nicole Bissell took second place with a time of 13:44.69 and graduate student Alaina Stone Boggs finished in third with a time of 12:54.33.
 
In the men's 6k freshman Evans Kurui took the top spot in his first collegiate race, crossing the line in 16:56.72, setting the men's 6k course record. Graduate student Brian Barsaiya finished second with a time of 17:50.10 and graduate student Leif Swanson trailed with a third-place finish time of 17.53.17.
 
"It's just good to get back to racing again after a long offseason," said Head Coach Wayne Phipps.  "We were very controlled and progressed well throughout the race. A lot of great improvements over last year's open."
 
In the first event of the Cougars 2024 cross country season a pair of freshmen captured first place and event records.
 
"Two absolutely amazing performances by our freshman in Zenah and Evans – two course records," said Phipps. "It's an incredible achievement that likely overshadows some other great improvement and runs by this entire group."
 
The Cougars will return to action September 13 in the Cougar Classic at Colfax Golf and Country Club.