RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University cross country teams began the quest for their third straight OVC Championships today by defeating Marshall University at EKU’s Wood Chip Trail in both schools’ opening meet of 2008. The men ran two two-mile legs, while the women ran one two-mile leg.

The men’s team was led by newcomer Evans Kiptoo, a junior college transfer. Kiptoo won the race by running both two-mile legs in a time of 18:31.8 (9:16.4, 9:15.4). Senior Joseph Maina was not far behind in second with a time of 18:34.6 (9:24.7, 9:09.9), and senior Stanley Mugo rounded out the top three with a time of 18:45.6 (9:25.5, 9:20.1).

Junior Elkana Kurgat finished seventh in 20:15.6 (10:00.9, 10:14.7) and sophomore David Willis placed eighth in 20:18.5 (10:10.2, 10:08.3). Newcomers Chris Rice and Josephat Malley finished ninth and tenth respectively in times of 20:32.5 (10:11.4, 10:21.1) and 20:47.2 (10:20.1, 10:27.1). 

EKU’s men’s team scored 21 points, while Marshall’s team scored 38.

For the women, senior Barbara Phelan led the way by finishing third overall with a two-mile time of 11:58.5. Sophomore Ashli Joseph, senior Maria Doerger and sophomore Kat Pagano finished fourth, fifth and sixth respectively with times of 12:02.8, 12:08.7 and 12:13.1.

Newcomers Ashley Chisholm and Danielle Mason finished 11th and 12th in times of 12:52.4 and 12:53.6. Freshman Katie Honigford and sophomore Sondra Nieporte placed 14th and 15th in times of 13:19.0 and 13:29.5.

EKU’s women’s team scored 23 points, while Marshall’s team scored 33.

The cross country teams return to action on September 13 at the Memphis Classic in Memphis, Tenn.