Kimeli first-team All-SEC, Kipngetich second-team at SEC Cross Country Championships

Auburn, Ala.—Auburn women's sophomore Joyce Kimeli finished fifth at the Southeastern Conference Cross Country Championships Friday, earning first team All-SEC honors with a time of 19:21.69 over the 6k race. On the men's side freshman Silas Kipngetich was 13th overall crossing the 8k course at the Indian Pines Golf Course in 23:22.33 to grab second team all-conference honors. The races were run under cool, rainy conditions.
 
"Joyce was outstanding. She was top five and a big improvement from last year. She continues to get better and better," Auburn distance and cross country coach David Barnett said. "Silas had a top-15 finish as a freshman which is a great accomplishment. Overall, our individuals had a pretty good day. We just have to get the team to keep moving as we go."
 
Kimeli's fifth-place finish was the highest by an Auburn woman since teammate Brenda Kigen was fourth in 2015. Sophomore Mercy Kiprop was Auburn's second finisher, crossing in 21:09.72, good for 81st. Auburn's other scorers included sophomore Presley Weems (97th, 21:33.77), junior Cassie Bebout (108th, 21:42.01) and sophomore Louisa McPherson (110th, 21:42.76).
 
"It felt so good. It was tough the first mile, the second mile I felt like people weren't moving at all," Kimeli said. "I felt like I needed to pick it up from here, I tried my best. The last mile I was feeling tired, but I tried to tough it out and get to the finish line. I ran hard until the last minute."
 
Running his first cross country season of his career, Kipngetich's 13th place finish was the best by an Auburn freshman at the SEC meet since Kane Grimster was 14th in 2011.
 
"It felt good," Kipngetich said. "I had an idea for the race and what the course was like and everything. With the fans outside, I just kept going."
  
Auburn native Jack Rogers crossed in 24:16.28, good for 52nd place, 51 places higher than his first SEC Championships as a freshman. Junior Tommy McDonough improved 33 spots from last year, running a 24:22.12 good for 58th place. Senior Erik Armes, in his third conference meet also PRed at the event, taking 72nd in 24:46.38. Junior Andy Smith rounded out the Tigers' scoring finishing 95th in 25:38.08.
 
Friday's meet marked the fourth time in program history and first time since 2001 that Auburn hosted the conference cross country championships. Auburn also hosted the championships in 1980 and 1989.
 
"We definitely appreciate the fans coming out, especially given the rainy conditions," Barnett said. "Everybody came out and I know the team felt the support. That's going to keep the freshmen and sophomores excited about cross country the next couple of years. I think the fans will be happy with the product on the back end."
 
The Auburn men finished 10th in the team standings, while the women were 14th. Arkansas claimed the women's team title, while Ole Miss won on the men's side.
 
A one-hour SEC Cross Country Championships highlight show will air on Sunday, Nov. 4 at 12 p.m. CT on the SEC Network.
 2018 SEC CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS RESULTSOct. 26, 2018
Indian Pines Golf Course
Auburn, AL