Jackson State men win SWAC cross country title

Jackson State won the Southwestern Athletic Conference men’s cross country championship, its first title since 2022, with four runners placing in the top 10. The Tigers scored 41 points, ahead of Texas Southern with 51.

Ryan Achau led Jackson State, winning the individual title in 25:09.5 and earning SWAC Athlete of the Year honors. He finished ahead of Bethune-Cookman’s Jayden Santos-Gonzalez, who ran 25:12.2. Achau won all five of his races this season, according to the school.

Godfrey Kimutai placed seventh in 26:06.30, Collins Kibet was ninth in 26:11.5 and Eric Lagat finished 10th in 26:15.0. Kimutai, Kibet and Lagat earned second-team all-conference honors. Duncan Koima took 14th in 26:34.7, and Leon Chirchir was 18th in 27:12.4. Mark Thorne was named SWAC men’s Coach of the Year.

The Jackson State women placed fifth with 131 points. Alabama A&M won with 37, followed by Florida A&M with 41, Southern with 93 and Alabama State with 120.

Lorine Jelagat led the Tigers in 21st place in 19:51.9. Joan Koech finished 22nd in 19:54.8, Sya Bolden was 26th in 20:20.7 and Karina Griffin took 28th in 20:37.1. Kaylin Jackson placed 34th, and Amara Hawkins-Quinones finished 43rd.

Source: Original Article