Kimutai wins individual title, as MSSU men's cross country takes second, women finish fourth at Fort Hays

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Hays, Kan. -- Gidieon Kimutai won the individual title and the Missouri Southern men were second, women fourth at the 7th Annual Fort Hays State Tiger Open today.

Kimutai traversed the 8k course in a time of 24:58.8, three seconds in front of his nearest competition. Nickson Kiptoo placed 12th with a time of 25:29.3, while Cody Berry was 20th in a time of 25:42.5. Michael Shanahan was 27th in a time of 25:46.5 and Josh Webb was right behind in 28th at 25:46.6.

Kevin Koester placed 40th in a time of 25:59.7, while Jared Ozee was 48th in a time of 26:08.3. Tadd Capron was 65th in a time of 26:23.7, while Nathan Painter finished in a time of 27:20.9.

The Lions' men finished second as a team behind only Division I Air Force. The Lions scored 76 points to AFA's 53. West Texas A&M was third, followed by Adams State, Fort Lewis, Minnesota State, Fort Hays State, Nebraska-Kearney, Metro State, Colorado Mines, Concordia - St. Paul, Colorado Christian, Lubbock Christian, Rogers State, New Mexico Highlands and Oklahoma Christian to round out the team scores.

It was a big meet for the men, finishing in front of the No. 1 and 3 ranked teams in Division II in the process as Adams Sate came in ranked No. 1 and Colorado Mines was No. 3.

Ashlee Kuykendall led the women's effort with a 12th-place finish. Kuykendall crossed the 5k finish line in a time of 18:39.5. Julianna Determan finished 23rd in a time of 19:14.1, while Sarah Usher was 32nd in a time of 19:28.1.

Alice Evans placed 44th in a time of 19:46.0, while Mady Gepford was 48th in a time of 19:52.1. Gabrielle Hill was 61st in a time of 20:13.2, while Abbi Rogers finished in a time of 20:44.6. Kelie Henderson crossed the line in a time of 20:51.4, while Danielle Prince finished in a time of 21:18.6.

The Lions finished fourth overall, but finished in front of fifth-ranked Colorado Mines in the process. Air Force was first, followed by Adams State, Metro State, the Lions, Colorado Mines, Fort Lewis, Colorado Christian, Lubbock Christian, Fort Hays State, Newman, Cowley College, Nebraska-Kearney, Concordia St. Paul, New Mexico Highlands, Rogers State and Oklahoma Christian to round out the team scores.

Southern will be back in action next weekend as the Lions compete at Central Missouri.