LEVELLAND — The South Plains College men's and women's cross country teams will look to add to the trophy case Saturday in Snyder at the NJCAA Region V Cross Country Championships on the campus of Western Texas College.
The women's 5k is slated for 10:30 a.m., followed by the men's 8k at 11 a.m. The course is located across the street from the main entrance next to the soccer fields. The women's race is one small loop and one big loop, while the men's race is two big loops.
The third-ranked Lady Texans will be in contention for a regional crown, coming off a first-place finish in their previous outing Oct. 15 at the Angelo State Blue/Gold Classic, placing four runners in the top five.
Running a 6k race for the first time this season, the Lady Texans capped the race with a total time of 1:54.20, with an average time of 22:52. Sophomore All-American Gladys Jemaiyo was the first runner across the line, posting a final time of 21:21.7 with an average mile of 5:43.7.
Daisy Kibet finished second for South Plains in a time of 22:20.5, while sophomore Dorcus Ewoi was third with a time of 22:37.4. South Plains' Itzel Garcia-Santos used a time of 23:58.2 to take fifth overall, while Nyia Sena placed sixth in a time of 24:03.1.
The Texans were unable to place in the final team standings as they competed with four runners in Angelo but swept the top two spots and placed three runners inside the top 15 overall.
Sophomore Alex Kitum won the men's 8k with a time of 26:01.0, with an average mile of 5:14.0. Abdirizak Ibrahim crossed the line in a time of 26:02.9, good enough for second, while Ryan Robinson placed 13th with a final time of 28:27.2.
Following Saturday's trip to Snyder, South Plains returns to the course on Nov. 9 at the NJCAA Cross Country National Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico.