Seattle, Wash. – Program record alert! Washington State's Zenah Cheptoo and Rosemary Longisa set school records in the 5000m and 800m, respectively. Ku Stevens also put his name into the record book, setting the ninth fastest mile time in WSU history. 13 different Cougs set personal bests as the second day came to a close at the Husky Classic.
Zenah Cheptoo broke her own school record in the Women's 5000-meter race by almost thirty seconds. Her time today of 15 minutes and 17.8 seconds was good for fifth in the race. Her time is now fourth in the West Region and 18th in the nation. The personal best time for the Junior was only 12 seconds off the first place finisher. An overall impressive race in a talented field.
Rosemary Longisa saw her teammate break the 5000-meter program record and responded with her own school record in the 800-meter race. Her sub-2-minute time of 1 minute and 59.71 seconds was the second best of the day at Dempsey Indoor. Her time is not only a school record but is now the fastest time in the West Region and third in the nation.
The Women's Mile brought a lot of personal bests for the Cougs. Nicole Bissell was the highest finisher for the Cougs today with a time of 4 minutes and 48.41 seconds. Hailey Cossey and Maya Nichols were the next best finishers, both setting personal bests, and finishing within a second of each other.
Evans Kurui put up a strong fight in the Men's 5000m Invite but just came up short. His time of 13 minutes and 25.51 seconds was only 8 seconds behind his record setting time a few weeks ago at Dempsey Indoor.
Similar to the Women's Mile, the Men's Mile has a ton of personal bests. The top five finishers for WSU were personal best times. Ku Stevens was the best of the bunch, finishing with a sub-4-minute time of 3 minutes and 59.38 seconds, good for fifth place. His time is also 9th in Program History and currently just inside of the top 100 in the nation. Ferran Verges, Kade Brownell, Eric Swedin, and Micaiah Aden all also set personal bests in the race.
The Cougs will continue their season next weekend at the Arkansas Qualifier.
For all the latest WSU Track and Field news, photos, and videos, like the team on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/wsucougartrack) or follow on X (@ WSUCougarXCTF) and Instagram (@WSUCougarXCTF).
Husky Classic — Saturday Results
Women's 5000m (Invite)
Zenah Cheptoo, 15:17.80, 5th [PR] [Program Record] [4th in NCAA West] [18th in NCAA National]
Women's 800m (Invite)
Rosemary Longisa, 1:59.71, 2nd [PR] [Program Record] [1st in NCAA West] [3rd in NCAA National]
Women's 400m
Lashanna Graham, 57.52, 19th
Women's Mile
Nicole Bissell, 4:48.41, 39th
Hailey Cossey, 4:51.03, 52nd [PR]
Maya Nichols, 4:52.08, 58th [PR]
Caroline Jepkorir, 4:53.59, 67th
Isabela Alvarado, 4:56.83, 81st [PR]
Riley Pyeatt, 4:56.96, 82nd
Taylor Sletner, 4:57.13, 83rd
Lily Herman, 5:01.37,101st [PR]
Jaylyn Lehner, 5:07.81, 117th
Men's 5000m (Invite)
Evans Kurui, 13:25.51, 6th
Men's Mile
Kutoven Stevens, 3:59.38, 5th [PR] [9th in program history]
Ferran Verges, 4:10.76, 63rd [PR]
Kade Brownell, 4:11.87, 69th [PR]
Eric Swedin, 4:14.25, 75th [PR]
Micaiah Aden, 4:15.41, 78th [PR]
Aiden Emerson, 4:15.82, 80th
Grayson Wilcott, 4:17.52, 86th
Evan Bruce, DNF
Women's 800m
Daphne Evenson, 2:12.13, 39th [PR]
Men's 800m
Ricard Verges, 1:53.96, 38th [PR]
Chase Bartlett, DNF
