Milicent Kemboi Posts Third-Fastest 5K in MSU History at Season Opener

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Mississippi State opened its cross country season Friday at the Southern Showcase hosted by Jacksonville State, finishing fifth overall. The Bulldogs were led by Milicent Kemboi, who finished 11th and recorded the third-fastest 5K in program history.

Kemboi clocked a time of 16:47.7, just a second shy of Naomi Jepleting’s second-fastest MSU mark set on the same course last year. Jepleting finished 16th in 17:11.6 and also placed among the top 20.

Freshman Larkin Johnson made her collegiate debut, finishing third among the Bulldogs in 17:43.6. Veteran Kaitlyn Burge crossed the line shortly after in 17:44.2, setting a personal best. Brooklyn Quanz rounded out the top five for MSU with a time of 17:53.9.

Other runners included Lillian Overby, making her first appearance, who finished in 18:30.4, and Sophie Santucci, who set a personal best at 19:10.6. Mallory Streetman also competed for the Bulldogs.

Mississippi State’s next race is scheduled for Oct. 3 at the Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival in Fayetteville, Arkansas, beginning at 11 a.m. CT. Follow the program on X, Facebook and Instagram by searching “HailStateTF.”

Source: Original Article