The Blue Raider cross country teams dominated the UTC PowerAde Invitational as both teams finished first in the meet, the men in the 5k and women in the two-mile run Friday night in Chattanooga.
The women’s team ran at an amazing pace, placing 1-2-3-4-5, resulting in 15 points total, and a perfect score in the meet. The men did not disappoint either, placing 1-2-3 and scoring 19 points, just four points off a perfect score.
On the women’s side sophomore Agnes Abu took first place at an exceptional 11:11.17 time. Freshman Susan Aneno followed placing second (11:14.24), Josphine Kiptebeny third (11:20.03), Hannah Maina fourth (11:20.08), Rhema Cheruiyot fifth (11:25.89), and Rachel Kigen 10th (11:48.48), as Middle Tennessee cruised to a first place team finish.
The men’s squad wins the PowerAde Invitational for the second year in a row. This also marks the second year in a row that the men’s team has won its opening two meets.
In just his second race on the team, Sampson Laari placed first (19:44.38), as five Blue Raiders finished in the top eight. Laari was followed by Geoffry Cheruiyot in second (14:53.69), and sophomore standout Kigen Chemadi in third (14.56.02). The two seniors were not far behind, as Shadrack Matelong finished fifth (15:28.24) and Hillary Rono placed eighth (15:44.54).
The Blue Raiders are no strangers to success at the UTC PowerAde Invitational as last year’s men’s and women’s team placed 1-2. The men’s team finished atop the competition with 20 points, while the women finished just three points behind first place. However, this year both teams ran away with the race, which has Associate Head Coach Keith Vroman ecstatic about what is to come.
“Both teams ran really well today in the heat,” Vroman stated. “Winning is a great way to build confidence during our preparation phase for the championship season.”
Middle Tennessee is slated to return to competition next Saturday Sept. 17 at 9 a.m. for the Vanderbilt Invitational in Nashville, Tenn.
Men’s Team Results (Top 5)
1. Middle Tennessee (19)
2. Alabama (42)
3. Chattanooga (66)
4. Austin Peay (115)
5. Samford (120)
Middle Tennessee Individual Men’s Results (5k)
1. Sampson Laari (14:52.26)
2. Geoffry Cheruiyot (14:53.69)
3. Kigen Chemadi (14:56.02)
5. Shadrack Matelong (15:28.24)
8. Hillary Rono (15:44.54)
18. Amos Cheruiyot (15:58.31)
51. Nathan Mack (17:24.66)
Women’s Team Results (Top 5)
1. Middle Tennessee (15) (Perfect Score)
2. Alabama (50)
3. Chattanooga (69)
4. Samford (127)
5. Mercer (136)
Middle Tennessee Individual Women’s Results (2-mile)
1. Agnes Abu (11:11.17)
2. Susan Aneno (11:14.24)
3. Josphine Kiptebeny (11:20.03)
4. Hannah Maina (11:24.08)
5. Rhema Cheruiyot (11:25.89)
10. Rachel Kigen (11:48.48)
26. Abike Egbeniyi (12:24.22)
28. Sharon Kibiwott (12:30.12)
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