TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The Washington State women’s cross country team finished third, while the men placed fifth Saturday at the John McNichols Invitational at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course.
Freshman Millie Bii led the No. 21 Cougar women in the championship 6-kilometer race, finishing sixth overall with a time of 19:56.1. Sophomore Nelly Jemeli followed in 18th place at 20:28.7, while junior Caroline Jepkorir finished 25th in 20:43.7.
Junior Lauren Hoyt placed 35th with a time of 20:53.6, and freshman Mercy Biwott rounded out Washington State’s five scoring runners in 37th place at 20:54.6. The Cougars finished with 121 points, three points ahead of fourth-place Toledo.
The No. 11 Washington State men earned fifth place in the championship 8-kilometer race with 212 points. Junior Evans Kurui led the Cougars with a fourth-place finish and a time of 23:37.6. Junior Solomon Kipchoge crossed the finish line three spots later, placing fifth in 23:47.7.
Junior Kutoven Stevens finished 28th with a time of 24:17.3, while sophomore Kade Brownell placed 68th in 24:37.5. Junior Evan Bruce completed the Cougars’ five scoring positions with a time of 25:03.2.
The Cougars will return to action Friday, Oct. 9, at the Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Cross Country Course in Madison, Wisconsin. Race times are to be announced.
Women’s Championship 6,000 Meters
Millie Bii — 19:56.1
Nelly Jemeli — 20:28.7
Caroline Jepkorir — 20:43.7
Lauren Hoyt — 20:53.6
Mercy Biwott — 20:54.6
Hailey Cossey — 21:03.8
Zenah Cheptoo — 21:14.3
Aleeya Cossey — 21:19.5
Women’s Open 6,000 Meters
Faith Kipmaiyo — 21:54.0
Sophie Hutchinson — 22:27.8
Evelina Sitnika — 22:32.0
Kylah Madariaga — 22:46.7
Jaylyn Lehner — 22:48.5
Sabrina Colbert — 23:13.0
Zoe Corder — 23:20.4
Men’s Championship 8,000 Meters
Evans Kurui — 23:37.6
Solomon Kipchoge — 23:47.7
Kutoven Stevens — 24:17.3
Kade Brownell — 24:37.5
Evan Bruce — 25:03.2
Eric Swedin — 25:14.3
Aiden Emerson — 26:43.7
Micaiah Aden — 27:14.1
Men’s Open 8,000 Meters
Jackson Welsh — 26:23.7
Jonah Wiser — 27:46.7