Enock Kirui Wins Second Consecutive Race For Trojans

Friday, September 10

Hampton, GA

Troy University

Georgia State University

Enock Kirui Wins Second Consecutive Race For Trojans

9/10/2010 8:10:54 PM | Cross Country

Sophomore finishes almost 30 seconds ahead of nearest competitor running in Georgia

By: Travis Jarome

Mens Results | Womens Results

HAMPTON, Ga. - The sophomore jinx has disappeared for the Troy University men's cross country team, at least in the eyes of sophomore Enock Kirui.

The Kenyan-native went and promptly won the season-opening race at his home course, prompting many to speculate that the sophomore jinx may start when the Trojans leave the home course. However, Kirui put those rumors to rest as he went out in a blistering pace at the Georgia State Cross Country Invitational Friday and won the race in a time of 27:03.58.

Not only did Kirui fare well in the race, but the Trojans teams did as well. Then men were able to finish second and the women third on a hot Friday afternoon.

“The conditions were very hot and tough, along with the course being deceivingly challenging,” coach Stephane Hetherington said.

Kirui was the only runner from a non-Georgia state school to finish in the top six, and was the lone Trojan to finish in the top 10. He was able to cross the line 26 seconds faster than runner-up Fidelis Mutiso of Clayton State.

Freshman David Hudman was the next best runner for the Trojans, crossing the line 11th with a time of 29:31.45. He was followed closely by Karlton Mitchell of Morehouse and teammate Cory Jones in 13th place with a time of 29:38.62.

Kemper Morton was the next runner to cross the line for the Trojans, coming across the line in a time of 31:29.93 (26th place), while Alec Hamm finished 30th with a time of 31:53.47 and Adam Vise 35th with a time of 32:52.17.

Meanwhile, on the women's side, Sylvia Chirchir was the top finisher for the Trojans when she crossed the line fifth in a time of 20:56.42. She finished behind a trio of runners from Georgia State running on their home course and Ericka Stam of Jacksonville State.

Agnes Kapsoiyo was the only other runner for the Trojans to finish in the top 15, as she crossed the line 15th with a time of 21:47.19. She was followed closely by teammates Allison Paulson in 17th place with a time of 22:14.16 and Morgan Paulson in 19th place with a time of 22:37.67.

Haley Davies finished 21st with a time of 23:02.37, while Catelyn Dake rounded out the top 35 for the Trojans with a 31st place finish in a time of 24:07.49.

“The women ran well as a pack and the men hung on while running tougher than ever,” Hetherington said. “Strong finishes made the difference.”

Several other runners participated for the Trojans on the women's side, for a complete listing of the results, click the links above. The Trojans return to action next weekend in Tuscaloosa, running in the Crimson Classic hosted by the University of Alabama.

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