TALLAHASSEE Fla. – Auburn junior Joyce Kimeli ran a dominate race winning by an impressive 15 seconds to claim the women's NCAA South Regional at the Apalachee Regional Park Friday. Kimeli, who crossed the 6k course in 19:59.5, qualified for her second consecutive NCAA Championship.
"It feels really good and I'm so happy," Kimeli said. "My goals was to be top two after being fourth last year. I thank the coaches and everyone else that has contributed to my success."
Kimeli became the third Auburn female and first since Holly Knight in 2008 to win and individual regional championship. Angela Homan won Auburn's first in 2004.
"I was pleased with the way Joyce executed the game plan we talked about and took care of business. She ran with confidence and it showed," Auburn cross country coach David Barnett said. "Joyce has been incredibly consistent with her training and work ethic. She was the class of the field and it was exciting to see her put it all together."
Sophomore Faith Bett ran a solid race, crossing as Auburn's second finisher with a time of 21:06.0 for 35th place. Junior Mercy Kiprop (21:25.9) was 53rd, sophomore Abbey Zane (21:40.3) was 64th and freshman Hannah Dyal (21:44.1) was 69th to round out the women's scoring.
"I thought the women made some big improvements from last year," Barnett said. "I'm very proud of how they competed. On the men's side some people didn't have the race they wanted, but we're building to have a much better team moving forward. The effort was great on both sides and we learned some lessons and will be better for it moving forward.'
Silas Kipngetich led the Auburn men's team with a 39th place finish, as the sophomore crossed the 10k course in 31:30.1. Senior Andy Smith wrapped up his Auburn cross country career with a 50th-place finish (31:42.4), improving his finish by over 70 places from a year ago.
Junior Jack Rogers (32:28.8) was 82nd, junior Tommy McDonough (32:41.7) was 91st and freshman Hunter Harwell (33:32.1) was 124th for the Tigers.
Kimeli will race at the 2019 NCAA Cross Country Championships next Saturday, November 23 in Terre Haute, Ind. The women's 6k will start at 11:15 a.m. CT and be contested at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course.
NCAA SOUTH REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
WOMEN'S TEAM STANDINGS
1. Florida State 42
2. Ole Miss 100
3. Tennessee 144
4. Georgia Tech 154
5. Vanderbilt 166
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9. Auburn 218
AUBURN RESULTS (6k)
1. Joyce Kimeli 19:59.5
35. Faith Bett 21:06.0
53. Mercy Kiprop 21:25.9
64. Abbey Zane 21:40.3
69. Hannah Dyal 22:44.1
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96. Hannah Tarwater 22:16.9
147. GiGi Maddox 23:05.0
MEN'S TEAM STANDINGS
1. Ole Miss 69
2. MTSU 83
3. Alabama 97
4. Florida State 136
5. Georgia Tech 169
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15. Auburn 374
AUBURN RESULTS (10k)
39. Silas Kipngetich 31:30.1
50. Andy Smith 31:42.4
82. Jack Rogers 32:28.8
91. Tommy McDonough 32:41.7
124. Hunter Harwell 33:32.1
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137. Jackson Thomas 33:58.8
143. Evan Rogers 34:16.4