Gallery: (11-18-2022) NAIA Men's Cross Country Nationals
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Wayland Baptist's
Dennis Kiptoo came up short of a fourth all-American honor at the NAIA Cross Country Championships held at Apalachee Regional Park here Friday morning.
Kiptoo was joined by fellow senior
Alex Spencer and freshman
Malachi Macias at the event which featured a competitive field of 326 runners and a temperature of around 40 degrees.
Men's Results
Women's Results
Spencer led the Pioneer runners, placing 122
nd with a time of 25 minutes, 42.1 seconds, just one second off his personal best. This was Spencer's second trip to nationals, having placed 54
th last year in Vancouver, Wash.
Meanwhile, Macias placed 158
th in 26:01.1 and Kiptoo was 184
th in 26:16.2. Kiptoo finished as an all-American the past three years, placing 18
th the last two seasons and ninth as a freshman.
"Alex and Malachi did a great job running this race," said Wayland athletics director Jim Giacomazzi, who accompanied the Pioneer runners to nationals. "It was a very competitive field and a fast course. The last 400 yards had a slight downhill decline. Dennis pulled his hamstring and found the course a bit challenging."
Abraham Chelangam, a freshman from Oklahoma City University, won the title in 23:41.9, coming in 22 seconds ahead of sophomore teammate Shimmales Abebe. It's the fourth straight year a Star has captured the title.
A total of 318 runners crossed the finish line. The top 40 were named 2022 NAIA Men's Cross Country All-Americans.
Dordt (Iowa) won the team title with 97 points, bettering runner-up Milligan (Tenn.) with 115 points. OCU took sixth with 218 points.
On the women's side, Taylor (Ind.) was first with 50 points, leaving Milligan and its 177 points with another second-place trophy. OCU was 30
th.
