VANCOUVER, Wash. –
Dennis Kiptoo became a three-time NAIA All-American cross country runner when he and three other runners –
Alex Spencer,
Jordan Dixon and
Teresha Jacobs – represented Wayland Baptist at the NAIA National Championships here Friday morning.
Kiptoo placed 18
th for the second consecutive year, turning in an 8k time of 25 minutes, 37.4 seconds at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. The winning time was 24:43.1 by Sooner Athletic Conference champion Zouhair Talbi of Oklahoma City, who came in 13 seconds ahead of teammate Shimales Abebe. OCU took 10
th in the team competition, won by Milligan (Tenn.).
Results
"We're happy he made all-American, but we were hoping for top 10, and maybe even top five with a really good race. But he didn't have one of his better races," WBU coach
Brian Whitlock said. "But it was still good. Dennis had a good season."
Kiptoo also was 18
th last year in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, after taking ninth two years ago in Portland, Ore. He'll have a final year of cross country eligibility next fall.
On Friday, runners had to deal with a muddy, slippery course as well as 45-degree temperatures and overcast skies. "It was a typical meet up here," Whitlock said.
Spencer had what Whitlock called "probably the best race of the day of our kids" as the second-year freshman (due to COVID-19) placed 54
th in the 333-runner field with a time of 26:12. Spencer was 83
rd last year.
"Alex flirted with that all-American spot (top 40)," the coach said. "He'll continue to have a good career going forward. He's a good guy to build a team around."
Dixon, a true freshman, finished 208
th with a time of 27:39. "Jordan ran OK. He's capable of running better. He was close to Alex the first 4K before falling off," Whitlock said. "Jordan had a good season just to make nationals. He has really improved a lot. He got some good experience, and I think next year he's going to be really good."
Whitlock already is looking forward to next season.
"Next year we think we'll be a top-10 team if we get another recruit or two and with everybody back," the coach said.
The Pioneers, ranked the equivalanet of 31st in the NAIA, were the first team not to receive an at-large berth at nationals this year.
In the women's 5k race, Jacobs – slowed by a nagging injury in her final competition for Wayland – came in a disappointing 196
th place, clocking 20:24.8. The winning time in the 344-runner field was 18:14.9 by Alyssa Bearzi of team champion Milligan. OCU finished 12
th.
"Teresha started having knee pain that affected her at the conference meet and with our training leading up to nationals," Whitlock said. "We were hoping she was going to get past it, and she was in 20th place at 2,000. But the next time I saw her with a mile ago she was limping. That knee really bothered her and set her back."
Whitlock said the slick conditions on a tight-turns course didn't help Jacobs' knee issue.
"It was really disappointing for her because she worked so hard this year. She put in the miles and was in great shape. But sometimes that happens in sport. No matter how hard you try or want to do it and put yourself in good position, things like that happen."
It was Jacobs' third cross country nationals. She just missed all-American honors two years ago when she was 37
th (only the top 30 were all-Americans that year) before coming in 88
th last year.
"Teresha had a really good career for us, including being a national champion (in track) who helped us to a national (team track) championship. She's going to be graduating in December, which is her best accomplishment over anything athletically.
