Alabama Women Earn NCAA Cross Country Championship Berth, Cheruiyot and Kiprop Qualify Individually

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – A day after Alabama men's distance duo Hillary Cheruiyot and Victor Kiprop earned automatic, individual berths to the 2023 NCAA Cross Country Championships, the Crimson Tide women garnered an at-large bid, the organization announced Saturday. Alabama is making its fourth-consecutive team appearance at the National Championships for the first time in UA women's program history.

This year's national meet will be held Saturday, Nov. 18, in Charlottesville, Va. It will be the women's 12^th appearance, overall.

Head Coach Dan Waters Said

"We're extremely proud of the women for making their fourth-consecutive appearance at the NCAA Championships. That's a program-first that speaks directly to the way we have continued to build and grow. On the men's side, I'm looking forward to seeing what Hillary and Victor can do on the biggest stage – they've earned this moment and are looking to make the most of it. We're excited to continue our season and look forward to the opportunity of representing the University at nationals."

Men's Distance Duo – Victor and Hillary

UA men's distance duo Victor Kiprop and Hillary Cheruiyot have both clocked podium finishes in four meets this season
- Kiprop has recorded two first-place finishes (Crimson Classic, Southeastern Conference Championships)
- Cheruiyot's lone first-place victory came at Friday's NCAA South Regional Championships
Cheruiyot's South Region individual title came one year after Kiprop claimed the 2022 title
So far this postseason, both Kiprop and Cheruiyot have earned First Team All-SEC status, as well as All-South Region honors

Alabama Women | NCAA Cross Country Championships

This year's appearance marks the first time the Alabama women have earned four consecutive NCAA Championship berths in program history
The Tide women earned at an-large bid to this year's championships after finishing fourth at the NCAA South Regional Championships Friday morning in Gainesville, Fla.
UA will be led by rookie Doris Lemngole and 2022 cross country All-American Hilda Olemomoi, who have both recorded top-three finishes in three consecutive meets
The Alabama women are coming off a historic 2022 season, after claiming their first SEC title since 1987, their first NCAA South Regional championship since 1986 and their first NCAA trophy after finishing third at last year's national meet

Alabama Cross Country | Last Time Out

Alabama's Hillary Cheruiyot claimed the men's 10K title, marking the second consecutive year that a UA runner won the NCAA South Region crown as Victor Kiprop secured first place in 2022
Following Cheruiyot's title-clinching run was Kiprop who took second
On the women's side, Doris Lemngole and Hilda Olemomoi finished second and third, respectively
The Tide had six runners earn All-South Region honors: Joy Gill, Lemngole and Olemomoi made the women's list, while Eliud Kipsang, Cheruiyot and Kiprop earned recognition on the men's side

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University of Alabama Athletics