Alabama men’s cross country took home the No. 1 team finish in the SEC Championship meet Friday morning, with a total score of 64. The next closest team, Georgia, finished with 123.
The win came with a top-five runner lineup of sophomore Dismus Lokira at fifth, junior Dennis Kipruto at eighth, freshman Nelson Pariken at 14th, sophomore Ezekiel Pitireng at 18th and graduate student Carson Burian at 19th.
This is the second time in four years the men’s team has taken home the SEC crown, with the last time being in 2022.
On the women’s side, the Crimson Tide finished second place with a top-five composite of 117, trailing only the Florida Gators with 45.
The team once again shone with its top three, as junior Doris Lemngole took first and freshmen Caren Kiplagat and Cynthia Jemutai took third and fourth, respectively. After that, the Alabama women didn’t have a runner finish in the top 30.
“It was a very rewarding day for both groups. They were focused, disciplined and committed to each other from start to finish,” head coach Dan Waters said. “The sacrifices they’ve made for one another showed through today, and it’s great to see that hard work pay off.”
Men’s 8K:
- Dismus Lokira, sophomore — fifth, 23:24.00
- Dennis Kipruto, junior — eighth, 23:34.18
- Nelson Pariken, freshman — 14th, 23:41.46
- Ezekiel Pitireng, freshman — 18th, 23:46.06
- Carson Burian, freshman — 19th, 23:47.09
- Evan Trapp, sophomore — 38th, 24:19.95
- Kai Connor, junior — 41st, 24:22.47
- Jackson Harris, sophomore — 46th, 24:25.72
- Jackson Hogsed, freshman — 68th, 24:58.17
- Timothy Kibet, freshman — 71st, 25:04.37
Women’s 6K:
- Doris Lemngole, junior — first, 19:32.37
- Caren Kiplagat, freshman — third, 19:47.98
- Cynthia Jemutai, freshman — fourth, 19:59.16
- Lilly Walters, senior — 34th, 20:56.35
- Leah Kleecamp, senior — 81st, 21:58.44
- Kaylie Crews, graduate student — 105th, 22:29.68
- Meriel Rowland, sophomore — 114th, 22:43.72
- Autumn Headrick, junior — 128th, 23:10.59
- Isabelle Sullivan, freshman — 133rd, 23:25.96
- Brenda Tuwei, junior — did not start
The Crimson Tide will next compete Nov. 14 at the South Regional Championship, which will take place in Huntsville at John Hunt Cross Country Running Park.
