Oklahoma State Men and Women Earn Regional Championships in NCAA Cross Country

(This story originated with Oklahoma State University Athletic Media Relations and was written by Mason Harbour.)

STILLWATER – Oklahoma State men’s and women’s cross country clinched their second straight sweep of the NCAA Midwest Regional Championships on Friday, with the No. 2 Cowboys and No. 19 Cowgirls earning automatic bids to the NCAA Championships.

The second-ranked Cowboys took home their second straight regional title with a dominant, 25-point performance led by a 1-2 finish by Denis Kipngetich and Laban Kipkemboi. Kipngetich has now won back-to-back NCAA Midwest Regional titles and is the first Cowboy in program history to win a pair of regional titles individually. Kipkemboi’s second-place finish meant the Cowboys have now placed 1-2 at the regional meet.

“I think we’re in really good position going into the national championships,” Smith said. “We were a little tired and flat a couple of weeks ago at the conference meet and seeing how the guys ran today, it seems like a little rest has really paid off… I think we’re probably one of three or four teams that can win next week and it’s going to be a competitive race.”

Overall, the Cowboys placed all five scorers in the top-12 as Big 12 Champion Brian Musau (sixth), Victor Shitsama (seventh) and Adisu Guadie (12th) each earned All-Region honors. Alex Stitt also earned All-Region honors with his 17th-place finish on the day. This was the Cowboys’ 20th regional title in program history and the 13th under Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Dave Smith.

On the women’s side, the Cowgirls picked up their third consecutive Midwest Regional title and their fourth under Smith as they scored 61 points on the day. The women were led by Josphine Mwaura, who placed fourth overall. Behind her, Victoria Lagat (seventh), Sivan Auerbach (tenth) and Colleen Stegmann (13th) all picked up All-Region honors for their performances. Lilly Lavier rounded out the Cowgirl scorers with her 27th-place finish overall.

“I’m really proud of our women today,” Assistant Coach Abbie Fredrick said. “They ran with a lot of confidence and they knew what they had to do and executed it well. Colleen Stegmann specifically ran the race of her life and just kept on moving up throughout the race… We’re really excited for her and for the team in general making back to the big dance this year as region champs.”

Men's Race - Team (10K)
1. **No. 2 Oklahoma State - 25
2. **No. 4 Iowa State - 43
3. RV Tulsa - 124
4. Illinois State - 179
5. Loyola (Ill.) – 184

Men's Race - Individual (10K)
1. *Denis Kipngetich – 28:51.46

2. *Laban Kipkemboi– 29:06.23                                                                                                                    6. *Brian Musau – 29:17.32
7. *Victor Shitsama – 29:17.36
12. *Adisu Guadie – 29:27.76
17. *Alex Stitt – 29:46.59
33. Jacob Deacon – 30:17.27

Women's Race - Team (6K)
1. **No. 19 Oklahoma State – 61

2. **No. 23 Minnesota – 76

3. RV Northwestern – 103

4. Iowa State – 139

5. Nebraska – 181

Women's Race - Individual (6K)
4. *Josphine Mwaura – 19:53.61
7. *Victoria Lagat – 20:02.07
10. *Sivan Auerbach – 20:04.90
13. *Colleen Stegmann – 20:15.94
27. Lilly Lavier – 20:31.56
44. Lauren Ping – 20:49.08
79. Payton Hinkle – 21:15.61

* - Denotes All-Region Selection

** - Secured Automatic Qualification to NCAA Championships