Nov. 10, 2007
Gainesville, Fla. - Auburn Sophomore Felix Kiboiywo took the number one spot in the men's 10k at the NCAA South Regional hosted by the University of Florida.
"Felix looked amazing out there today," said Auburn head coach Peter Watson. "We are really excited to have him take that top spot."
Kiboiywo ran the 10K in 30:50.6, earning him a spot to race at the NCAA Championships, which will be held in Terre Haute, Ind., on Nov. 19. He is the first cross country runner in Auburn history to take the individual regional title.
Senior Pat Philbin also ran a stellar race earning All-Region honors. Philbin came in 21st, running a 31:26. 79.
The Tigers had two other top 50 finishers with Chase Oliver finishing 42nd and Scott Novack finishing 50th. Joby Peake just missed the top 50, finishing 53rd, followed by Simon Nyang finishing 55th. Mark Fleming rounded out the Tigers' finishes coming in 87th. The team collectively finished sixth.
"We entered the race in sixth place and we finished in sixth, so overall I am very pleased with our efforts," Watson said.
The women's team, who suffered the loss of their top runner Hollie Knight to an injury, finished 14th in the 6K. Sabrina Fischer took the top spot for Auburn, finishing 35th in 22:04.02. Amber Riley rounded out the top 50 finishing 47th in 22:33.99. Laurel Pritchard barely missed the top 50, finishing 52nd.
Also racing for the Tigers were Katelyn Simpson, Allison Smith and Cathryn Albright. Simpson finished 105th, followed by Smith and Albright at 118th and 120th, respectively.
The University of Alabama took the men's crown home, with three top five finishes. Florida State University took the number one spot for the women's 6K.