Cowboys runner defends Big 12 title
WACO, Texas — Oklahoma State men’s and women’s cross country opened postseason play last Friday at the Big 12 Championships with Cowboy sophomore Brian Musau successfully defending his conference crown over arguably the best field in the country so far this season.
WACO, Texas — Oklahoma State men’s and women’s cross country opened postseason play last Friday at the Big 12 Championships with Cowboy sophomore Brian Musau successfully defending his conference crown over arguably the best field in the country so far this season.
Musau clocked an 8K time of 22:06.9, which demolishes the previous school record 8K on the grass of 22:46.1, set by Musau himself at last year’s Big 12 Championships. This is the third consecutive year a Cowboy has won the conference meet and 14th overall, with Musau becoming just the second Cowboy to win back-to-back conference crowns individually, joining John Halberstadt, who won the Big 8 meets in 1972 and 1973.
Overall, the Cowboys placed second on the day with 52 points, finishing behind only No. 2 Brigham Young University with 41 points and ahead of No. 4 Iowa State with 62 points. Three Cowboys earned All-Big 12 honors, which are given to each of the top-15 finishers in each race. Denis Kipngetich finished sixth overall with a time of 22:29.19 and Victor Shitsama nabbed a ninth-place time of 22:30.99. Rounding out the Cowboy scorers were Ryan Schoppe and Laban Kipkemboi, who placed 17th and 19th, respectively.
“The men were just a touch off our best today,” Director of Track/Field and Cross Country Dave Smith said. “When you are battling the second-and fourth-ranked teams in the country, being even a little off will cost you. BYU had a great plan and executed it well, hats off to them. They are a very good team and we are looking forward to round two in Madison (Wisconsin) in 22 days.
On the women’s side, the Cowgirls finished fourth in the team standings with 103 points, behind No. 1 BYU (41 points), No. 4 West Virginia (60 points) and No. 6 Utah (86 points) on the day. Sophomore Josphine Mwaura and senior Sivan Auerbach earned All-Big 12 honors as the placed 14th and 15th, respectively. Victoria Lagat was right behind the duo in 16th, with Colleen Stegmann and Jinane Mahi rounding out the scoring column with 27th- and 34th-place finishes.
“The women ran a very good race,” Smith said. “With only one returner from last year’s top seven and facing three of the top six programs in the country, the women ran with remarkable poise and confidence. I think we can still run better and that bodes well for our prospects at the NCAA championships.”
The Cowboys and Cowgirls return to action next week at the NCAA Midwest Regional Championships in Peoria, Ill. Both teams will be looking to punch their respective tickets to nationals with top-2 finishes in the team standings.
