Oct. 13, 2017
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Auburn cross country junior runner Brenda Kigen won the Crimson Classic 6k, clocking a 20:23.4 Friday at the Harry Pritchett Running Park. The women's team finished second in the event while the men finished fourth in the 8k.
"Brenda did great as the top collegiate finisher," assistant cross country and track and field coach David Barnett said. "She beat some really good people and just keeps getting better and better every week. We are really gaining a lot of confidence in her."
Kigen was one of three women that finished in the top-20 of the 6k as freshmen Joyce Kimeli (20:59.2) and Faith Bett (21:01.9) finished 16th and 18th, respectively.
Senior Coleman Churitch was the men's top finisher for the first time in his career, clocking a 24:52.0 to finish 16th in the 8k.
"It's a great feeling," Churitch said. "I'm really humble right now. I had a few really tough years of just ups and downs, so it's a great feeling. Everyone is improving every single meet. As a team, collectively, we're looking really strong. Everyone was within 15 seconds of me, so we had a really good group and good finish."
The senior trio of Wesley Curles (24:57.4), Wesley Pectol (25:17.2) and Kevin Wyss (25:18:1) finished in the top-25 to help the men to a 134 point total that finished behind Middle Tennessee State, Alabama and Georgia Tech overall.
Georgia Tech won the women's 6k with 74 points.
The Tigers will head to Athens, Ga. on Oct. 27, for the SEC Cross Country Championships.