Alabama
Joe Piane Invitational
Alabama Cross Country’s Mercy Chelangat Wins Joe Piane Invitational
10/1/2021 1:22:00 PM | Track & Field, Cross Country
The Crimson Tide women finished third and the men sixth among a packed field
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Alabama cross country's Mercy Chelangat opened her 2021 season by winning the Joe Piane Invitational Friday morning. It marked the defending NCAA Champion's fourth-consecutive cross country victory, dating back to last season's Florida State Invitational and including the SEC and NCAA titles.
In a field packed with ranked opponents, the No. 6-ranked Crimson Tide women finished third after tallying 147 points, just behind No. 1 NC State and No. 3 New Mexico. The UA men were sixth with 225 points
Chelangat won the 5-kilometer race in a time of 16:10.3, followed closely by Crimson Tide rookie Flomena Asekol, who took second with a 16:10.7. All-Americans Esther Gitahi (16:43.9) and Amaris Tyynismaa (16:49.8), took 14th and 28th, respectively, while Megan Patton (17:29.3) took 103rd to round out the Tide's scoring five.
Victor Kiprop (23:39.1) led the Alabama men over the 5-mile course with an eighth-place finish, followed by Eliud Kipsang (23:52.9) in 14th place and Hillary Cheruiyot (24:15.1) in 35th. Jacob Wiggers (24:34.7) and Jack Hawes (25:13.5) rounded out the Tide's scoring five, taking 53rd and 116th, respectively.
Head Coach Dan Waters Said
"For our women to go 1-2 in the individual race, especially against such a tough field, was great to see, especially with this being Mercy's first race of the season. Overall, I think our women did well today against outstanding competition. On the men's side, Victor led the way to a solid team showing against what was again a packed field. We're still learning how to race as a team and both our men and women have some things to improve on, but we're definitely heading in the right direction as we head toward the championship season."
Up Next
- The Crimson Tide returns to action with its final regular-season meet on Oct. 15 at the NCAA Pre-Nationals Invitational in Tallahassee, Fla.
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Women's Team Finishes
1. No. 1 NC State 38 pts
2. No. 3 New Mexico 94 pts
3. No. 6 Alabama 147 pts
4. No. 8 Washington 189 pts
5. No. 7 Minnesota 192 pts
6. No. 15 Ole Miss 205 pts
7. No. 18 Florida State 243 pts
8. Kentucky 278 pts
9. Toledo 302 pts
10. No. 29 Furman 314 pts
Alabama Women's Individual Finishes
1. Mercy Chelangat, 16:10.3
2. Flomena Asekol, 16:10.7
14. Esther Gitahi, 16:34.9
28. Amaris Tyynismaa, 16:49.8
103. Megan Patton, 17:29.3
154. Leahrose Mami, 17:56.7
160. Kaylie Crews, 18:03.0
179. Riley Schelp, 18:31.1
Men's Team Finishes
1. No. 19 Furman 129 pts
2. No. 25 Michigan 150 pts
3. No. 10 Butler 177 pts
4. No. 29 Florida State 204 pts
5. Southern Utah 207 pts
6. No. 15 Alabama 225 pts
7. No. 28 Weber State 227 pts
8. No. 18 Ole Miss 236 pts
9. Charlotte 247 pts
10. NC State 286 pts
Alabama Men's Individual Finishes
8. Victor Kiprop, 23:39.1
14. Eliud Kipsang, 23:52.9
35. Hillary Cheruiyot, 24:15.1
53. Jacob Wiggers, 24:34.7
116. Jack Hawes, 25:13.5
125. Rich Saenz, 25:21.0
140. Carson Burian, 25:33.0
147. Paul Selden, 25:44.3
Players Mentioned
