Five XC runners place among Chile Pepper's top half

ABILENE -- Running against close to 600 runners from 60 schools, Abilene Christian cross country had five of its competitors Saturday finish among the top half of the individual standings at the 31st Annual Chile Pepper Festival, hosted by the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

The day began with the men's 8K, and for the third straight race this fall sophomore Kevin Kipkosgei led his team to the finish line with a 47th-place mark of 24:55.9, while teammate Denis Lagat was two spots behind him with a 24:57.0. Their efforts helped the Wildcats place 22nd out of 32 teams with 578 points, which was good enough to defeat Southland Conference rivals Central Arkansas (597) and Incarnate Word (661).

On the women's side, junior Briahna Gerlach nearly cracked the top-30 (out of 278 runners) with her 31st-place 5K time of 17:27.3. Senior Carnley Graham, who last ran this course in 2015 as a true freshman, also finished among the top half at 18:10.1 (82nd) as did freshman Grace White (93rd, 18:20.4).

The Wildcat women's team posted a solid team finish of 14th place with 436 points, topping notable regional and Southland Conference schools from Oklahoma (486), Texas State (501), Central Arkansas (509), UIW (551), North Texas (582) and Lamar (693).

Unattached competitor Cameron Griffith won the 8K in 23:35.9 while the team trophy went to the Texas Longhorns, whose 74 points topped runner-up Colorado Mines by 22 points. 

The Arkansas women claimed another team 5K trophy with ease, totaling 24 points as the Razorbacks swept the top-four places.  Taylor Werner was the individual champion with her 5K time of 15:45.4.

Next up for the Wildcats is the Oct. 19 running of the Arturo Barrios Invitational at Texas A&M. Those who don't make the trip to College Station will be entered into McMurry's Bill Libby Invitational.
 

---

Chile Pepper Festival Men's 8K
315 runners / 32 teams

22nd – 578 points
47.) Kevin Kipkosgei –24:55.9
49.) Denis Lagat – 24:57.0
162.) Conner Miller – 26:14.4
179 Levi Chambers – 26:25.4
275.) Lane Jackson – 28:11.0
262.) Trevon Hardy – 27:30.9
245.) Seth Crockett – 27:10.3
277.) Gabriel Trevino – 28:13.4
DNF.) Colton Gates
 
Abbreviated Team Standings
1st) Texas – 74 points
2nd) Colorado Mines – 96 points
3rd) Oklahoma State – 125 points
----
24th) Central Arkansas – 597 points
27th) Oklahoma – 650 points
28th) Incarnate Word – 661 points
  

---

Chile Pepper Festival Women's 5K
278 runners / 27 teams
14th – 436 points
31.) Briahna Gerlach – 17:27.3
82.) Carnley Graham – 18:10.1
93.) Grace White – 18:20.4
162.) Irene Rono – 19:02.8
176.) Sarah Wagler – 19:15.8
201.) Hannah Marut – 19:35.9
256.) Avery Silliman – 21:30.8
 
Abbreviated Team Standings
1st) Arkansas – 24 pts.
2nd) Texas – 90 pts.
3rd) West Virginia – 100 pts.
---
17th) Oklahoma – 486 pts.
18th) Texas State – 501 pts.
19th) Central Arkansas – 509 pts.
21st) UIW – 551 pts.
22nd) North Texas – 582 pts.
25th) Lamar – 693 pts.