MADISON, Wisc. – Rosemary Longisa, Solomon Kipchoge, and Evans Kurui all finish in the top 5 as the Cougar cross country team competed with a nationally-competitive field at the Nuttycombe Invitational. With Kurui and Kipchoge leading the way, the WSU men's team finished sixth overall in the 8k Championship race. Longisa led the women to a 14th overall finish in the 6k Championship race with 18 of the top-30 nationally-ranked schools competing.
 
In the men's 8k race, the Cougs took two of the top five places with Kipchoge and Kurui finishing in second and fifth, respectively. Kipchoge ran an 8k time of 23 minutes and 5.6 seconds, finishing in second for the third race this year. Kipchoge has not finished a race lower than second place. Evans Kurui was only 20 seconds behind his teammate, running the 8k in 23 minutes and 26.5 seconds to finish the race in fifth.
 
Josphat Meli had a strong performance, running a time of 23 minutes and 44.3 seconds, good for 28th overall. His teammate Vincent Koech was the fourth-best Cougar runner, finishing with a time of 24 minutes and 24.7 seconds, and finishing in the top 100.
 
In the women's 6k race, Rosemary Longisa finished in third, only 9 seconds behind first place. Longisa finished with a time of 19 minutes and 39.2 seconds, finishing on the podium for the fourth straight race. Zenah Cheptoo was not much further behind her teammate, finishing in 21st with a time of 20 minutes and 17.8 seconds.
 
Caroline Jepkorir was the next finisher for the Cougs, finishing in 72nd with a time of 20 minutes and 54.3 seconds. Freshman Kylah Madariaga impressed in Wisconsin, finishing with a time of 21 minutes and 27.6 seconds, the fourth best of the Cougars.
 
The Cougs will return to action at the WCC Championships in Spokane, Washington, on November 1.
 
 
Women's 6k – WSU Individuals 
Rosemary Longisa, 19:32.3, 3rd

Zenah Cheptoo, 20:17.8, 21st
 
Caroline Jepkorir, 20:54.3, 72nd
 
Kylah Madariaga, 21:27.6, 135th
 
Nicole Bissell, 21:27.7, 136th
 
Kaleena Narus, 21:56.7, 173rd
 
Hailey Cossey, 22:04.3, 183rd
 
Daphne Evenson, 22:14.9, 191st
 

Men's 8k - WSU Individuals 
Solomon Kipchoge, 23:05.6, 2nd
 
Evans Kurui, 23:26.5, 5th
 
Jospaht Meli, 23:44.3, 28th
 
Vincent Koech, 24:24.7, 93rd
 
Kustoven Stevens, 24:31.4, 102nd
 
Evan Bruce, 25:40.2, 199th
 
Kade Brownell, 26:10.1, 210th
 
Eric Swedin, 27:04.6, 224th