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Texas Tech Athletics

Mizzou XC Challenge

September 27, 2019 | Cross Country

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Men and women place two in top-25 at Mizzou XC Challenge.

By: Jeremy O'Brien

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Texas Tech cross country wrapped up its second meet in as many weekends Friday evening in Missouri, running the Mizzou Challenge on the Tigers' new course.

"The team performed well in some incredibly tough conditions with high temperatures and humidity," said head coach Jon Murray. "We made it as a group. I was proud of Cornelius and Seselia and how they lead the team. It was a great learning experience today."

Cornelius Kiprotich returned to the racing form Murray hoped to see from the junior – who has freshman eligibility in cross country. The Kenyan ran a 25:11.7 to place fifth overall in the 8k. The time was just eight seconds behind his collegiate PR of 25:03.8, set last year before his season was ended due to injury.

Senior Nathan Gift also hopped into the top-25 at 24^thto help the men secure a fifth-place team finish. Gift ran a 26:21.8. The scoring Red Raiders were rounded out by Luke Estes (35^th), Grant LaSelle (50^th), Walker Hendricks (52^nd) and Trent Nolen (53^rd). Estes has finished third among his teammates for two straight races running the full roster. The senior, LaSelle, returning from injury, worked his way back into his team's top-four for the first time this season.

The women's group was led by Seselia Dala, who also placed top-10 individually. She ran a 22:04.0 in her first 6k of the season to place ninth. The Lady Raiders, who placed fourth as a team, also saw another top-25 finisher in Claudrice McKoy. The junior ran a 22:49.4 in her first collegiate 6k to cross 20^th. Jazmyn Martinez (31^st) and Binta Ka (44^th) represented the other two runners in the top-50. Nokuthula Dlamini rounded out scoring with a 50^th-place finish.

Tech's cross squad will return to the course Oct. 19 at Texas A&M for the Arturo Barrios Invitational.