Alabama
Notre Dame Invitational
Kiprop Captures Individual Crown, Kigen Claims Second at Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational
10/4/2019 3:43:00 PM | Track & Field, Cross Country
Mercy Chelangat leads the Crimson Tide women, placing 35th individually on Friday
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Alabama graduate Vincent Kiprop took home the Joe Piane Notre Dame individual crown Friday afternoon at the Burke Golf Course, finishing first overall with a mark of 23:09.88 in the men's Blue Division 5-mile. Fellow graduate Gilbert Kigen (23:13.70) crossed the line almost immediately after Kiprop as the Crimson Tide went 1-2 in the 5-mile event.
Sophomore Mercy Chelangat was the Crimson Tide's highest finisher on the women's side as she placed 35th individually in the 5k at 16:56.85. As a team, Alabama women finished 14th pulling an upset over nationally ranked No. 16 Iowa State (15th place), while the men placed 16th in one of the deepest men's fields the sport has seen this year.
Take a look at the TOP finishers in the Men's Blue Division 5 Mile at the Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational.
— Alabama Track & Field (@AlabamaTrack) October 4, 2019
?? Vincent Kiprop 23:09.88
?? Gilbert Kigen 23:13.70#RollTide pic.twitter.com/OWq6ma3jnQ
Leading the Lineup for the Men
- Although a 5-mile is not the most common distance for a men's cross country race, it's worth noting that the last time out at the Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational (Sept. 29, 2017), roles were reversed with Kigen (23:23.7) crossing the finish line first and Kiprop (23:24.2) following in second place overall.
- Friday's meet marked new all-time Alabama bests and career-bests for both Kiprop and Kigen.
- Kiprop posted a personal-best by 15 seconds and Kigen notched a 10 second PR.
- In his first race in the Crimson uniform, graduate Brad Cheek finished 138th (25:16.57).
- The next group ran as a unit and finished over a span of 37 seconds. Senior J.P. Brinyark led the pack placing 156th with a 26:02.41 performance, then freshmen Jacob Wiggers (160th) and Jalen Murray (161st) and sophomore Elliot Gindi (162nd) rounded out the group.
Only a 4? second difference between Vincent Kiprop (23:09.88) and Gilbert Kigen's (23:13.70) top-2? finishes! ????#RollTide https://t.co/8fnzpFj6kC
— Alabama Track & Field (@AlabamaTrack) October 4, 2019
Leading the Lineup for the Women
- In a 24-team field with 10 nationally ranked squads, the Crimson Tide posted three top-70 finishes.
- Six Alabama athletes in uniform ran personal-best times Friday. Seniors Haley Wright (106th, 17:47.20) and Rebecca Buteau (54th, 17:08.71), along with sophomore Lauren Brackin (136th, 18:05.04), freshmen Jami Reed (147th, 18:14.63), Amaris Tyynismaa (123rd, 17:57.99) and Allison Wilson (69th, 17:17.52) each clocked their fastest collegiate 5k's as well.
Sophomore Mercy Chelangat is the top-finisher for Alabama women, placing 35th with a time of 16:56.85.
— Alabama Track & Field (@AlabamaTrack) October 4, 2019
???????#RollTide pic.twitter.com/XehJrL0wtz
Men's Individual Results
- 1. Vincent Kiprop (23:09.88)
- 2. Gilbert Kigen (23:13.70)
- 132. Brad Cheek (25:16.57)
- 156. J.P. Brinyark (26:02.41)
- 160. Jacob Wiggers (26:07.14)
- 161. Jalen Murray (26:29.55)
- 162. Elliot Gindi (26:39.47)
- DNF Elliott Miller
Women's Individual Results
- 35. Mercy Chelangat (16:56.85)
- 54. Rebecca Buteau (17:08.71)
- 69. Allison Wilson (17:17.52)
- 106. Haley Wright (17:47.20)
- 123. Amaris Tyynismaa (17:57.99)
- 136. Lauren Brackin (18:05.04)
- 147. Jami Reed (18:14.63)
- 163. Riley Schelp (19:21.24)
Up Next
After returning from Notre Dame, the Crimson Tide women will turn its attention to the Pre-National Invitational in Terre Haute, Ind., while the men's squad will prepare for the Princeton Invitational in Princeton, N.J., both of which will be held Saturday, Oct. 19.
For all the latest information on the team, follow AlabamaTrack on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. General athletic news can be found @UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and Alabama Athletics on Facebook.
Players Mentioned
