Tag Archives: utep cross country

UTEP’s Winny Koech crossed the finish line first, registering a time of 16:40.53 as the senior led the cross country women to the team title at the 35th Lori Fitzgerald Memorial.

**After a correction in error, the UTEP men’s cross country team tallied 35 points to win the team title at last night’s event. Jesus Bruno, who finished seventh, was incorrectly attached to EPCC. His status was updated to an individual runner and EPCC’s points were corrected to 39.**

UTEP’s Winny Koech crossed the finish line first, registering a time of 16:40.53 as the senior led the cross country women to the team title.

On the men’s side, sophomore Rodgers Korir won the individual title, clocking in a time of 19:29.14 at Chamizal National Memorial Park Friday evening.

“The team competed very well today – both men and women,” UTEP Head Coach Paul Ereng said. “With this being our second meet, we’re still working on where we want to be. We still have a couple of more races to get ready for conference.”

The UTEP women claimed the overall team title in the 4.7KM with 35 points, while EPCC placed second (46 points). Junior Carolyne Chepkosgei finished fourth (17:04.85), senior Linda Cheruiyot (17:14.67) crossed the finish line in fifth and sophomore Karoline Daland placed seventh (17:27.59).

Freshmen Joan Kimaiyo (18^th – 19:41.78), Jacquilyn Orozco (23^rd – 20:41.36) and Valerie Gonzalez (25^th – 21:27.64) rounded out the field for UTEP.

The UTEP men placed second overall (38 points) behind EPCC (27 points) in the 6.4KM. Freshman Titus Cheruiyot finished third, clocking in a time of 19:47.13, while sophomore Boaz Ronoh (20:44.10) placed eighth. Freshman Kenneth Talavera (20:47.59) finished 10^th, and junior Cornelius Kapel (21:13.38) placed 16^th.

Freshman Kayn Quinones (17^th – 21:30.80), sophomore Michael Sims (20^th – 21:47.58), sophomore Cory Calvani (27^th – 22:36.48), sophomore Daniel Maes (30^th – 23:22.61), freshman Alek Duran (31^st – 23:31.91) and junior Allan Ortiz (36^th – 25:01.24) rounded out the UTEP men’s side.

UTEP will compete at the Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational Oct. 4 in South Bend, Ind.

UTEP cross country will host the 35^th Lori Fitzgerald Memorial on Friday, Sept. 13 at Chamizal National Memorial Park.

Joining the Miners will be El Paso Community College, NM State, Sul Ross and Western New Mexico. The men will open the meet in the 7K with the gun going off at 6 p.m., while the women’s 5K will shoot off at 6:45 p.m.

Running for the men will be Cory Calvani, Titus Cheruiyot, Alek Duran, Cornelius Kapel, Rodgers Korir, Daniel Maes, Allan Ortiz, Kayn Quinones, Boaz Ronoh, Michael Sims and Kenneth Talavera. For the women, last year’s champion Linda Cheruiyot, Carolyne Chepkosgei, Karoline Daland, Valerie Gonzalez, Joan Kimaiyo, Winny Koech and Jacquilyn Orozco will suit up.

Titus Cheruiyot is off to a fast start in his collegiate career as the freshman raced out to a first-place finish in the 5K at the Lobo Invitational Aug. 31 in Albuquerque N.M. Cheruiyot posted a time of 15:17.88, while teammate Korir (15:18.64) finished second in a tight competition.

The UTEP men’s team tallied 44 points, placing second behind New Mexico (35 points). The women’s team finished third with a score of 74 behind NM State (51) and New Mexico (40).

Linda Cheruiyot (18:15.81) placed second overall to lead her squad, while Chepkosgei (18:22.47) finished third overall.

A BIT OF LORI FITZGERALD HISTORY

Lori Fitzgerald, a native of Denver, Colo., was recruited to UTEP by then-cross country and distance coach Gary Mazziotti in 1985. She was offered a full academic scholarship to attend Brown University at the end of her high school career.

Fitzgerald chose to become a student-athlete at The University of Texas at El Paso.

Fitzgerald was with the program for only three weeks in El Paso before a tragic accident. She was hit by a farming truck in the Upper Valley of Sunland Park Drive while warming up for the teams’ last time trial run to determine the top seven runners.

It happened a week before what would have been her first cross country competition at UTEP.

“I’ve had many feelings and emotions over the years with Lori’s accident,” Mazziotti wrote in an email recently. “She was such a beautiful human being – Lori was giving and caring towards everyone she met. She was a three-time state champion from Colorado and a high school valedictorian.”

Maziotti is a UTEP alumni, class of 1973 and was a team member of the 1969 cross country team. He went on to become the cross country and distance coach for three seasons (1984-1986). He currently lives in Los Angeles and will attend Friday’s meet.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – UTEP freshman Titus Cheruiyot competed in his first collegiate event and raced out to a first-place finish.

Cheruiyot posted a time of 15:17, one second ahead of teammate and second-place finisher sophomore Rodgers Korir at the University of New Mexico Lobo Cross Country Invitational at UNM North Golf Course Saturday morning.

The men’s team finished second overall with a score of 44, while the women finished third with a team score of 74.

“I am pleased on performance of both our men and women cross country teams during our season opener,” UTEP Head Coach Paul Ereng said. “The men’s team got the winner and runner up in the race, and managed to place five athletes in the top 25. It was a great accomplishment and morale booster for the team.”

On the UTEP women’s side, senior Linda Cheruiyot finished third (18:15) as the top Miner, while junior Carolyne Chepkosgei placed fourth (18:22). New Mexico JC’s Flomena Asekol won the women’s race with a time of 17:18.

“The women’s team also did well led by the Conference USA defending champion Linda Cheruiyot who finished 3rd followed closely by Carolyne Chepkosgei and Karoline Daland,” Ereng added. “I believe both teams will build on today performances as we look forward an exciting season a head.”

Sophomore Boaz Ronoh (16:09) finished 11th, junior Cornelius Kapel (16:12) placed 12th and freshman Kayn Quinones (16:26) was 22nd. Sophomore Michael Sims (36th, 17:07), sophomore Cory Calvani (41st, 17:28), junior Allan Ortiz (45th, 17:40), freshman Alek Duran (48th, 17:43) and sophomore Daniel Maes (51st, 18:17) rounded out the UTEP men’s side.

Sophomore Karoline Daland placed 11th with a time of 18:59, while freshmen Joan Kimaiyo (31st, 22:15), Jacquilyn Orozco (39th, 23:37) and Valerie Gonzales (40th, 23:51) rounded out the women’s side.

For full results, click here.

2018 Conference USA Women’s Cross Country Champion UTEP was named the preseason favorite in this year’s C-USA Preseason Poll as voted on by the league’s head coaches.

“This is great of our UTEP Cross Country program,” Ereng said. “The Miners ladies won their first ever title last year and it is fantastic all the coaches in the league have faith they will repeat again. I know our ladies are hardworking and are prepared to take the challenge of flying the Miners’ colors high again.”

Last season, the Miners won their first conference title in program history, taking four of the top seven spots in the women’s 5K.

Five runners from the champion squad – 2018 individual champion Linda Cheruiyot, Carolyne Chepkosgei, Winny Koech, Karoline Daland and Andrea Lucero – return this season led by reigning Coach of the Year Paul Ereng.

The Miners open the 2019 season at the Lobo Invitational Aug. 31 in Albuquerque, N.M. UTEP will then host the Lori Fitzgerald at Chamizal Memorial National Park Sept. 13.

The men (6.4K) will start at 6 p.m., while the women (4.7K) will begin their race at 6:45 p.m. Following the home meet, the Miners will travel to South Bend, Ind., to compete at the Joe Piane Norte Dame Invitational Oct. 4.

The C-USA Championships will be hosted by WKU in Bowling Green, Ky., November 2.

Click here to see full XC schedule

DALLAS – UTEP’s cross country Linda Cheruiyot was named the 2018 Conference USA Cross Country Female Athlete of the Year, the league announced on Friday.

The junior claimed the crown at the C-USA Championships and led the women’s team to its first conference title in program history.

The distance runner finished in the top three in five meets and took first at the Joe Piane Invitational, garnering C-USA Female Athlete of the Week honors.

Cheruiyot earned All-Region honors at the NCAA Mountain Regionals, finishing 10th overall in the 6K with a time of 20:05.1. She went on to close out the season with an appearance at the NCAA Championships.

The women’s team claimed the team title in four meets during the 2018 season.

The UTEP track and field team will return to action on Jan. 12 at the Texas Tech Corky Classic

Juniors Linda Cheruiyot and Winny Koech head to Madison, Wisconsin, to compete at the 2018 NCAA Cross Country Championships on Saturday.

The women’s 6K race is scheduled to begin at 9:45 a.m. MT at the Zimmer Championship Cross Country Course.

Cheruiyot comes into the championship meet after clocking in a personal-best time of 20:05.1 in the 6K at the NCAA Mountain Region Championships.

The distance runner claimed the individual crown at the Conference USA Championships and led the women’s team to a team title. Cheruiyot posted six top-three finishes this season.

Koech earned a spot at the NCAA Championships for the third straight year. The junior was named the C-USA Female Athlete of the Week three times this season and posted a silver finish at the C-USA Championships.

Koech finished 13th overall at the NCAA Mountain Region Championships, posting a time of 20:10.1.

The 2018 NCAA Cross Country Championships will be streamed live on FloTrack.org. Live stats will also be available online.

UTEP cross country’s Linda Cheruiyot and Winny Koech were named to the 2018 U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) NCAA Division I Cross Country All-Region team on Monday.

Cheruiyot will be making her first NCAA Championship appearance after qualifying at the NCAA Mountain Region Championships. The junior finished 10th overall, posting a personal-best time of 20:05.1 in the 6K race.

Cheruiyot also claimed the crown at the Conference USA Championships, helping the women’s team earn its first conference team title.

Koech has punched her ticket to the NCAA Championships for the third straight year. The junior has been a consistent force for the Miners, winning three meets this season.

Koech finished 13th overall at the NCAA Mountain Region Championships, posting a time of 20:10.1. She registered a silver-medal finish at the C-USA Championships, securing first-team honors.

The Miners will take the course on Saturday in Madison, Wi. in the NCAA Championships.

Provo, Utah – Juniors Linda Cheruiyot and Winny Koech earned a spot at the NCAA Championships on Friday after finishing in the top 15 at the 2018 NCAA Cross Country Mountain Region Championships.

“I am very proud of both the men and women’s teams for competing at the regional championships,” head coach Paul Ereng said. “The women’s team again performed very well, managing to advance Cheruiyot and Koech, who will represent our institution at the national championships.”

Cheruiyot clocked in a personal best of 20:05.1 in the 6K, finishing 10th in the competitive field. This marks the first time that the distance runner has advanced to the NCAA Championships.

Koech punched her ticket to the national meet for the third straight year. The last Miner to make three appearances at the national meet was Risper Kimaiyo (2009-2012). Koech finished 13th out of 136 runners with a time of 20:10.1.

Carolyne Chepkosgei was the third Miner to cross the finish line, taking 33rd place with a time of 20:57.0.

Rounding out the women’s team were sophomore’s Andrea Lucero and Destiny White.

The young men’s team finished three runners in the top 70 out of 120 competitors.

Sophomore Cornelius Kapel was the Miners’ top runner, posting a personal-best time of 30:55.0 in the 10K.

Freshmen Boaz Ronoh (30:57.4) and Rodgers Korir (31:10.8) followed, finishing 59th and 67th overall, respectively.

Also taking the course was senior Antony Kosgei (32:32.6), freshman Isaiah Page (34:28.8), freshman Michael Sims (35:50.1) and freshman Daniel Maes (37:03.7).

Both teams finished 13th overall at the NCAA Mountain Region Championships.

Cheruiyot and Koech will close out the cross country season at the national meet in Madison, Wisconsin, on November 17.

The UTEP cross country team is heading to Provo, Utah, to compete at the NCAA Mountain Region Championships at the East Bay Golf Course on Friday.

The women’s team will take the course first in the 6K run at 11 a.m. MT, followed by the men’s 10K race set for 12 p.m.

Five of the 20 women’s Mountain Region teams head into this week’s meet nationally ranked (No. 1 New Mexico, No. 4 Colorado, No. 9 BYU, No. 22 Southern Utah and No. 28 Northern Arizona).

The women are coming off a stellar showing at the 2018 Conference USA Championships. The Miners claimed their first conference title in program history with four of the top-six spots on the leaderboard.

Leading the way for UTEP was junior Linda Cheruiyot, who took the conference crown with a time of 16:56.12 in the 5K. She was the first Miner to win the C-USA individual title since 2012.

Teammate Winny Koech was closely behind Cheruiyot, notching a second-place finish at the conference championships. The junior won the Santa Clara Bronco Invitational with a time of 20:00.9 in the 6K.

Carolyne Chepkosgei and Lilian Koech have been consistent runners for the Miners. Chepkosgei earned C-USA first-team honors and registered a fifth-place finish of 20:19.5 at the Santa Clara Bronco Invitational in the 6K. Koech garnered conference first-team recognition with a time of 17:15.86.

Six of the 17 men’s Mountain Region teams will enter the meet nationally ranked (No. 1 Northern Arizona, No. 2 BYU, No. 8 Colorado, No. 13 Air Force, No. 14 Colorado State and No. 18 Wyoming.)

Leading the way for the men is freshman Boaz Ronoh, who finished second overall at the C-USA Championships with a time of 24:11.38 in the 8K.

Also highlighting the men’s squad is Rodgers Korir. The freshman clocked in a personal best of 24:12.9 at the Santa Clara Bronco Invitational in the 8K. He also received C-USA first-team honors after posting a fifth-place finish at the conference meet.

Teams that finish first and second in each region automatically qualify for the NCAA Championships while the remaining teams await the decision concerning 13 national at-large bids. The at-large selection is determined through a review of regular-season competition and finish at regional championships.

After teams have been determined, 38 additional individuals per gender are selected to compete at the NCAA Championships. Among individuals not selected as members of qualifying teams in the above process, the top four finishers at each regional meet are automatically selected (each must have finished within the top 25 of the region).

At-large selection: Two additional athletes will be selected from the remainder of the national pool (and must have finished in the regional top 25) as at-large individuals.

The race will be streamed online at FloTrack.org. Live stats, the course map and other general information can be found on  byucougars.com

Boca Raton, Fl. – The UTEP women’s cross country team made history earning its first conference title on Saturday morning at the 2018 Air Force Reserve Conference USA Cross Country Championships.

The women’s team took four of the top-six spots on the leaderboard helping the Miners register a total of 44 points to secure the win by four points. Previously, the women’s cross country team earned second-place finishes at the conference championships in 1996, 2003 and 2009, but this is the first time the Miners took the crown.

“I was very impressed by the spirit the ladies displayed during the race today,” said head coach Paul Ereng. “Each of them wanted the team to win and made a tremendous effort especially towards the end of the race.”

Juniors Linda Cheruiyot and Winny Koech led the squad with a gold and silver finish at the Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park. Cheruiyot posted a time of 16:56.12 in the 5K, winning her second meet of the season. Koech clocked in a time of 16:58.68 earning her fifth top-two finish of the year.

Carolyn Chepkosgei and Lilian Koech garnered first team honors. Chepkosgei crossed the finish line with a time of 17:15.33, taking fifth overall. Koech recorded a season-best time of 17:15.86 to finish sixth and earn C-USA Senior of the Meet.
Rounding out the women’s top five was newcomer Karoline Daland with a personal-best time of 18:30.46.

Sophomore’s Andrea Lucero and Destiny White registered personal bests of 19:54.13 and 20:11.74, respectively.

Head coach Paul Ereng garnered C-USA Coach of the Year for leading the women’s team to a title.

“I am also very proud of our men’s team because they did a good job compared to last year,” said Ereng. “Boaz was a runner up, while Korir and Kapel were hot on his heels.”

Heading the men’s team was freshman Boaz Ronoh, notching a silver medal finish with a personal best of 24:11.38 in the 8K. Ronoh was named the C-USA Freshman of the Meet for his performance.

Freshman Rodgers Korir claimed first team honors with a fifth-place finish of 24:27.47.

Sophomore Cornelius Kapel earned second team recognition posting an 11th-place showing clocking in at 24:47.55.

Senior Anthony Kosgei (26:14.52) and Isaiah Page (27:16.86) rounded out the Miners top five.

The young men’s team finished fourth overall with 99 points.

The UTEP cross country team will return to the course on Nov. 9 at the NCAA Mountain Region Championships in Provo, Utah.

The Miners are headed to Boca Raton, Fl., to compete in the 2018 Air Force Reserve Cross Country Championships at the Burt Aaronson South Country Regional Park on Saturday.

The women’s team will be competing in the 5K, starting at 6:30 a.m. MT. The men’s team will follow in the 8K at approximately 7:15 a.m. MT.

Winny Koech, heads into the race ranked 22nd in the 2018 FloXC Women’s Individual Rankings. The junior has claimed three meet titles this season and earned a trio of C-USA Female Athlete of the Week honors. She clocked in a personal-best time of 20:00.9 in the 6K at the Santa Clara Bronco Invitational. Koech registered a season best of 16:53.25 at the Joe Piane Invitational in the 5K.

Also highlighting the women’s team is junior Linda Cheruiyot. She rates 23rd in the FloXC rankings. Cheruiyot crossed the finish line with a personal-best 16:51.54 at the Joe Piane Invitational, earning C-USA Female Athlete of the Week recognition.

Rounding out the squad is Carolyne Chepkosgei and Lilian Koech. Chepkosgei posted a personal best of 17:08.36 at the Joe Piane Invitational, taking fourth overall. Koech registered two second-place finishes at the Lobo Invitational and Lori Fitzgerald Open.

On the men’s side, Rodgers Korir had a stellar showing at the Santa Clara Bronco Invitational. The freshman notched C-USA Male Athlete of the Week with a personal best of 24:12.9 in the 8K.

Cornelius Kapel and Boaz Ronoh will look to continue improving. Kapel posted a personal record of 24:24.6 in the 8K run at the Santa Clara Bronco Invitational. Ronoh garnered C-USA Male Athlete of the Week honors after crossing the finish line third at the Joe Piane Invitational.

The women’s team has never won a conference title. The closest the Miners have come is second in 2009. The men’s team claimed back-to-back conference titles in 2015 and 2016.

For live results follow @uteptrack on Twitter.

IRVING, Texas – UTEP’s Winny Koech and Rodgers Korir earned Conference USA Cross Country Athlete of the Week honors presented by Top of the World Headwear, the league office announced Tuesday.

Koech was named the C-USA Female Athlete of the Week for the third time this season. The junior ran a personal-best time of 20:00.09 in the 6K run at the Santa Clara Bronco Invitational. She clocked in a first-place finish in a field of 209 runners.

Koech paced the women’s team to an overall second-place showing.

Korir garnered his first career C-USA Male Athlete of the Week. The freshman clocked in a personal best of 24:12.9 in the 8K at the Santa Clara Bronco Invitational.

Korir claimed a 12th-place finish out of 176 runners.

The Orange and Blue will head to Boca Raton, Fla., on October 27 to run at the Conference USA Championships.

Sunnyvale, Ca. – Junior Winny Koech was the Miners top finisher, winning her third title this season at the Santa Clara Bronco Invitational on Saturday morning.

Koech clocked in a personal best of 20:00.9 in the women’s 6K run, helping the women’s team finish third overall in a field that included 24 teams.

Teammate Linda Cheruiyot posted a second-place finish with a personal best of 20:08.5. Also crossing the finish line with a personal best is Carolyne Chepkosgei with a mark of 20:19.5.

Senior Lilian Koech recorded a time of 20:40.5 finishing 12th overall in the field that included 209 runners.

On the men’s side, freshman Rodgers Korir registered a personal-best time of 24:12.9 in the 8K race taking 12th overall.

Freshman Boaz Ronoh took 23rd with a personal best of 24:20.0. Teammate Cornelius Kapel also recorded a stellar time of 24:24.6 claiming a 28th-place finish.

The Miners will be back on the course on Saturday, Oct. 27 at the Conference USA Championships in Boca Raton, Fl.

UTEP cross country standouts Linda Cheruiyot and Boaz Ronoh were named Conference USA Athletes of the Week, the league announced on Tuesday.

Cheruiyot was named Female Athlete of the Week after taking the top spot in the 5K at the Joe Piane Invitational.

The junior posted a personal-best time of 16:51.54 in the women’s gold division, which featured 140 runners and 18 total teams.

Ronoh was the Miners’ top finisher in the men’s gold division at the Joe Piane Invitational hosted by Notre Dame.

The freshman clocked in a personal-best time of 24:37.18 in the five mile. He finished third overall in a field of 113 runners.

The UTEP cross country teams will be back in action on October 13 at the Santa Clara Bronco Invitational in Sunnyvale, California.