Championship Season Comes to an End for A&M-Corpus Christi at NCAA Regionals

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – One of the most successful seasons in the history of the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi cross country program came to a close Friday as the men and women raced at the NCAA South Central Region Championship on Friday, hosted by Arkansas at Agri Park.
 
In his final cross country race, senior Dennis Kipngeno finished two spots away from qualifying for the NCAA Championship. He crossed the finish line at 29:50.5 to place 12th in the 10K race. The time was a significant improvement from his 30:39.6 at last year's NCAA Regionals, but the field this season was much tougher.
 
Senior Enock Kimutai was A&M-Corpus Christi's second finisher at 31:06.8 to end in 47th. Four others gained more experience running on a big stage as graduate Hunter Haas clocked in at 33:25.8, junior Rogerio Gomez 33:43.7, junior Logan Rickey 34:01.7 and junior Gregorio Alcorta 35:13.5.
 
The women were paced by senior Sharon Kiprop who posted a 22:37.1 in the 6K to finish in 85th. Freshman Kate Brockman was A&M-Corpus Christi's next scorer at 22:56.1.
 
Rounding it out for the Islanders was freshman Faith Ramos with a 23:00.9, senior Riley Cowan 23:45.7, junior Chloe Garcia Grafing 24:35.4 and sophomore Deandra Ibarra 24:42.8.
 
It wrapped up a huge 2023 season that saw the men win their first SLC Championship in program history under first-year head coach Bryan Jackson. The women finished fourth overall at conference, which was two spots ahead of their 2022 standing.
 
Men's Individuals (10K out of 172)
12. Dennis Kipngeno, 29:50.5
47. Enock Kimutai, 31:06.8
137. Hunter Haas, 33:25.8
146. Rogerio Gomez, 33:43.7
153. Logan Rickey, 34:01.7
166. Gregorio Alcorta, 35:13.5
DNF, Mathayo Bundotich
DNF, Kelvin Kimaiyo
 
Women's Individuals (6K out of 180)
85. Sharon Kiprop, 22:37.1
106. Kate Brockman, 22:56.1
110. Faith Ramos, 23:00.9
144. Riley Cowan, 23:45.7
162. Chloe Garcia Grafing, 24:35.4
163. Deandra Ibarra, 24:42.8
 
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