Texas Tech Athletics
Mountain Regional Championships
No. 8 Lady Raiders Advance to NCAA Cross Country Championships
November 14, 2009 | Cross Country
Nov. 14, 2009
LUBBOCK, Texas - The No. 8 Texas Tech Lady Raider cross country squad came away from the NCAA Mountain Regional Championships as runner-ups with three runners finishing in the top 10 and advanced to the NCAA Cross Country Championships for the fourth-straight year.
Lillian Badaru, Caroline Karunde and Purity Biwott finished fourth, fifth and sixth leading the team, respectively. Badaru ran a 20:51.5 with Karunde and Biwott were right behind her with times of 20:57.3 and 21:07.5.
Winrose Karunde was the next Lady Raider to cross the line. She ran a 21:22.8 to place 14th. Gladys Kipsang was the fifth point scorer as she finished 21st running the 6K course in 21:34.1.
Michelle Guzman placed 66th and Kaci Westervelt finished 105th overall. No. 6 Colorado took the women's title with 48 points with Tech right behind with 53 points.
Tech's top five runners Badaru, Caroline Karunde, Biwott, Winrose Karunde and Kipsang were named to the all-region by the United States Track and Field Cross Country Coaches Association.
"Solid race on the women's side and it was great qualifying for nationals," said head coach Jon Murray." We wanted to be in the top two and we did that, so now we start preparations for nationals."
The Red Raiders completed their season after finishing in 15th with 378 points. No. 14 BYU won the men's race with No. 5 Colorado.
Gilbert Limo was the top finisher as he ran a 32:07.8 over the 8K course placing 51st. Silas Kemboi crossed the line in 32:15.7 to finish in 57th.
The next Red Raider was Zach Quinones in 69th as the senior ran 32:28.7. Logan Culotta was 88th in a time of 33:12.8 while Cory Higgins ran a 34:51.4 and place 115th. Nathan Milles was the final Red Raider placing 118th in a time of 35:15.6.
The NCAA Cross Country Championships will be held in Terre Haute, Ind., Mon., Nov. 23.
Players Mentioned
