Men’s Distance Trio Punches Tickets to the National Championships
5/29/2025 8:13:00 AM | Track & Field, Cross Country
Victor Kiprop (second, 29:00.88), Dennis Kipruto (third, 29:01.39) and Dismus Lokira (sixth, 29:03.27) all took turns leading the 10,000-meter pack as the Crimson Tide trio glided through the event’s semifinal
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Despite a five-hour severe weather delay, the Alabama men's track and field distance trio of Victor Kiprop, Dennis Kipruto and Dismus Lokira all finished in the top six of the 10,000-meter run, well ahead of the 12th-place cutoff, to effectively punch their tickets to Eugene, Ore., for next month's National Championships, June 11-14.
Throughout the 25-lap race, Kiprop (second, 29:00.88), Kipruto (third, 29:01.39) and Lokira (sixth, 29:03.27) all took turns leading the pack before the trio ultimately clocked their respective finishes.
In the preliminary track events, the Crimson Tide saw four student-athletes advance to Friday's final. Jekovan Rhetta was the first UA runner to race after the delay was lifted, as he secured a coveted top-three finish in his 100-meter heat (10.40). Samuel Ogazi (400m, 45.72) and Oussama El Bouchayby (800m, 1:48.40) both won their respective heats while Donald Chiyangwa added to the list by posting a qualifying finish (20.70) in his 200-meter heat.
The first day of events at the NCAA First Round concluded in the early hours of Thursday morning due to a five-hour weather delay. The men's competition will resume Thursday, with Cross Derriso competing in men's pole vault at 8:30 a.m. CT, and UA trio of Christopher Crawford, Trevor Gunzell and Christopher Young in shot put at 11:30 a.m.
Thursday will also feature the start of the women's competition, with Megan Albamonti and Ellie Partrick set to begin at 11:30 a.m. in javelin.
Advancing to Friday's Semifinal Track Events
- 100m | Jekovan Rhetta | 10.40 (Q) | finished in top three of his heat
- 200m | Donald Chiyangwa | 20.70 (q)
- 400m | Samuel Ogazi | 45.72 (Q) | won his heat
- 800m | Oussama El Bouchayby | 1:48.40 (Q) | won his heat
Crimson Tide's National Championships Qualifiers
- Men's 10,000m
- 2nd: Victor Kiprop | 29.00.88
- 3rd: Dennis Kipruto | 29:01.39
- 6th: Dismus Lokira | 29:03.27
Players Mentioned
