Cross Country Battles Rain, Sweeps Meadows Challenge

Saturday, September 26

Princeton, N.J.

8:30 a.m. CT

Alabama

Meadows Challenge

Photo by: Crimson Tide Photos / UA Athletics

Cross Country Battles Rain, Sweeps Meadows Challenge

9/26/2026 11:30:00 AM | Track & Field, Cross Country

Results

Kiplagat, Plimo claimed individual wins to lead the Crimson Tide

PRINCETON, N.J. – The No. 4/No. 10 men's and women's cross country programs carried their respective momentum sustained at the Southern Showcase to garner another team win at the Meadows Challenge on Saturday morning. Despite less-than-ideal race conditions due to rain, the Crimson Tide persevered, as the men opened the morning with a 42-point showing, besting No. 9 Syracuse's 68 points for the top men's team mark in the 8K. The women were just as impressive, posting 57 points to clear No. 19 North Carolina by 18 points to seize the 6K race.

After earning SEC Freshman of the Week honors earlier this week, Rodgers Plimo led the men's side with a first place standing following a time of 22:59.4 in the 8K. Caren Kiplagat followed her SEC Runner of the Week performance at the Southern Showcase by winning her second meet in as many weeks, managing a time of 19:12.4 to secure the top mark in the 6K.

Men's 8K Rundown

Alabama produced three top five finishes in the 8K, including four runners in the top 11
Along with Plimo, Duncan Gituku (23:07.3 | 2^nd) and Dismus Lokira (23:17.3 | 4^th) helped round out Alabama's top five placers, while Ezekiel Pitireng (23:26.4) closed at 11^th
Dennis Kipruto (23:35.8 | 24^th), Jackson Hogsed (23:42.9 | 29^th), Ethan Locke (24:08.2 | 56^th) and Bismack Kipchirchir (24:10.3 | 60^th) helped to give Alabama eight runners in the top 60 of the 157-man field

Women's 6K Rundown

Led by Kiplagat, Cynthia Jemutai (19:53.3 | 3^rd) and Mildred Rono (19:55.0 | 5^th) also closed among the top five in the 6K
Milicent Wafula (20:28.1 | 16^th) and Brenda Tuwei (20:44.9 | 32^nd) were among the top 32 of the 181 women runners

From Head Coach Dan Waters

"What a morning for the Crimson Tide. The team fought through really tough conditions, but they found their stride and I can't be more proud of the way we raced here in Princeton. I'm so impressed with how we've opened this cross country season and can't wait to return home for the Crimson Classic coming up on October 16."

Men's 8K Individual Results

1^st – Rodgers Plimo – 22:59.4
2^nd – Duncan Gituku – 23:07.3
4^th – Dismus Lokira – 23:17.3
11^th – Ezekiel Pitireng – 23:26.4
24^th – Dennis Kipruto – 23:35.8
29^th – Jackson Hogsed – 23:42.9
56^th – Ethan Locke – 24:08.2
60^th – Bismack Kipchirchir – 24:10.3
66^th – Jackson Harris – 24:13.7
93^rd – Evan Trapp – 24:43.6
113^th – Evan Simpson – 25:04.7
138^th – Nelson Pariken – 25:47.7

Women's 6K Individual Results

1^st – Caren Kiplagat – 19:12.4
3^rd – Cynthia Jemutai – 19:53.3
5^th – Mildred Rono – 19:55.0
16^th – Milicent Wafula – 20:28.1
32^nd – Brenda Tuwei – 20:44.9
95^th – Sharon Kipchumba – 21:39.4
125^th – Meriel Rowland – 22:00.1
130^th – Athena Andrecyk – 22:02.8
135^th – Celina Coryell – 22:08.9
154^th – Khushi Deol – 22:40.3
178^th – Lucy Quintana – 24:09.5

Up Next

The Crimson Tide will return to action on Friday, October 16, when Alabama hosts the Crimson Classic
The start time for the meet hosted at Harry Pritchett Running Park has yet to be determined