Tiger men win OBU Invite, women finish second

Sweeping the top-four spots in the men’s race, the Cowley College men’s cross country team dominated the competition at the Oklahoma Baptist University Invite ran Saturday in Shawnee, Okla.

Cowley’s Daniel Maina (24:29) won the men’s 5.1 mile race, while Jonathon Cherono (25:00), Stanley Mugo (25:01) and John Purvis (26:00) finished second through fourth, respectively. The Tigers finished with 21 points and easily out-distanced second place East Central (Okla.) University (56 points).

Cowley’s Irene Kosgei (18:29) won the women’s 3.1 mile race, while Jeniffer Cherono returned to action the first time this season and placed seventh with a time of 19:39.

Freshman Jessica McLeod also fared well as she placed ninth with a time of 19:46. The Lady Tigers finished just two points behind meet champion University of Central Oklahoma. UCO is ranked in the NCAA Division III poll. Cowley was without the services of Freshman Janee’ Gabbard and Jamie Sherwood.

“The meet was smaller than in past years so competition was not as tough as expected overall but still some top small college programs,” Cowley head coach Mark Phillips said. “Both teams ran very well despite high temperatures and humidity.”

Up next for the Tiger cross country teams is the Oklahoma State Cross Country Jamboree in Stillwater Okla. on Saturday.

“This is one of the biggest cross country meets in the Midwest and should give both squads a true mid-season test,” Phillips said.

Cowley women’s results: (1) Irene Kosgei, 18:29; (7) Jeniffer Cherono, 19:39; (9) Jessica McLeod, 19:46; (13) Ashley Cronin, 20:02; (26) Christy Buller, 21:25; (38) Bethany Schmidt, 22:33; (46) Kari Rinehart, 23:39; (47) Dawn Zimmerman, 23:33; (55) Hannah Burr, 24:50.

Women’s team scores: (1) University of Central Oklahoma. 52; (2) Cowley, 54; (3) Southwestern Oklahoma State, 68; (4) East Central University, 75; (5) Oklahoma Baptist, 121; (6) Langston University, 137; (7) Southern Nazarene, St. Gregory’s, and Northwestern Oklahoma State, no team scores.

Cowley men’s results: (1) Maina, 24:29; (2) Cherono, 25:00; (3) Mugo, 25:01; (4) Purvis, 26:00; (11) Mauricio Morales, 26:44; (12) Brett Koehn, 26:57; (18) Rolando Vasquez, 27:42; (22) Gilbert Manzanares, 28:20; (24) Harrison Philp, 28:25; (27) Tristan Wall, 28:31; (37) Justin Cacaro, 29:38.

Men’s team scores: (1) Cowley, 21; (2) East Central University, 56; (3) Oklahoma Baptist, 73; (4) Southern Nazarene, 84; (5) Southwest Christian College, Hillsdale College, no team scores.