Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Mountain Regional Championships
Tech Women Earn Automatic Bid to National Meet
November 11, 2006 | Cross Country
Nov. 11, 2006
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The 17th-ranked Texas Tech women's cross country team finished in second at the Mountain Regional Championships to earn the school's first-ever automatic bid to the NCAA Championships. Red Raider Sally Kipyego took the title for her fifth-consecutive meet, finishing 44.6 seconds ahead of Colorado's Jenny Barringer in second place.
The women's team finished 23 points behind Colorado, who earned 64, while Tech defeated 12th-ranked Brigham Young by seven points. Colorado and Texas Tech earned automatic bids with their placings and will compete at the 26th annual women's NCAA Championships on Monday, Nov. 20, from Terre Haute, Ind.
Kipego finished the 6k race as the only runner under 20 minutes, clocking a time of 19:45.9. Three other Red Raiders finished in the top 20, with Irene Kimaiyo coming in 10th with a time of 21:14.0. Gladys Kipsang took 17th-place running in 21:26.0, while Violet Chemakwila clocked a time of 21:29.4. Asia Diaz finished 39th in a time of 22:19.3 as the final counting runner for Tech.
In the men's 10k race, Kevin Chelimo led the Red Raiders as he finished in fourth with a time of 30:03.9, 12.3 seconds behind first place. Chelimo's efforts led the Tech team to a 12th-place finish. Colorado's men took the team title to complete the sweep for the Buffs, while BYU finished in second trailing by eight points.
Tech newcomers Silas Kemboi and Edwin Sang finished in 49th and 56th, respectively. Kemboi ran a time of 32:32.1, while Sang finished in 32:57.9. Pedro Vargas took 57th place, finishing one second behind teammate Sang with a time of 32:58.9. John Means clocked a time of 34:40.9 as the final counting Red Raider.
The Red Raider women will next compete at the NCAA Championships on Monday, Nov. 20th. For complete Texas Tech results, please visit www.texastech.com.
Texas Tech Results
Women:
2. Texas Tech
1. Sally Kipyego 19:45.9
10. Irene Kimaiyo 21:14.0
17. Gladys Kipsang 21:26.0
20. Violet Chemakwila 21:29.4
39. Asia Diaz 22:19.3
71. Jessica Stovall 23:21.9
106. Michelle Edman 24:45.6
Men:
12. Texas Tech
4. Kevin Chelimo 30:03.9
49. Silas Kemboi 32:32.1
56. Edwin Sang 32:57.9
57. Pedro Vargas 32:58.9
94. John Means 34:40.9
97. Cory Higgins 34:59.5
100. Zachery Quinones 36:03.2
