FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 16, 2006

 
Arkansas Men/Harding Women Capture 2006 Southern Stampede Titles

Complete Results

Joplin, MO -- The University of Arkansas men and the Harding University Women captured the 2006 Missouri Southern Stampede titles today as the race featured nearly 2,000 college and high school runners, making it the biggest cross country event in the USA this year.

Oral Roberts' Faithy Kamangila and Diana Chelimo took first and second place in the women's race, while Harding's Sativa Chelimo, Pittsburg State's Stacy Kentzler and Arkansas' Tiffany Redlarczyk rounded out the top five. Harding placed runners 3rd, 7th, 11th, 16th and 19th, to take home first place, 28 seconds ahead of Missouri State University. Southwest Baptist, Oral Roberts and Pittsburg State rounded out the top five team scores.

The Southern women placed seventh in the 34 team event. Freshman Kimi Shank, fresh off an MIAA Cross Country Runner of the Week award, finished 18th in the event with a time of 18:25. Kara Eckerd was 27th with a time of 19:17, while Krista Merrill finished 63rd with a time of 19:21. Ashley Bunch finished 75th with a time of 19:37, while Kari Fritchie was 126th at 20:25 and Courtney Waltbillig was 144th at 20:46.

The University of Arkansas placed 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th to overwhelmingly win the men's event, finishing 1:26 in front of second place, Southwest Baptist. Harding's Julius Kosgei took home the individual title with a time of 24:15, six seconds in front of his closest competitor. Arkansas' Scott MacPherson, Harding's James Cheruiyot, and Arkansas' Peter Kosgei and Seth Summerside round out the top five individual finishers.

Arkansas and SBU were first and second, followed by Harding, Missouri Southern and East Central.

Southern's men placed its top four runners all in the top 40. Brennon Benkert finished 20th with a time of 26:18. Benkert was followed directly by Dustin Dixon, who ran a 26:20. Bret Musser finished 23rd with a time of 26:23, while Ricky Armstrong finished 38th with a time of 26:49. Ryan Arthur finished 49th, running a 27:05, while Nick Heberle was 87th at 27:48 and Anthony Reed was 97th with a time of 27:55. John Mark Lewis also ran unattached for the Lions, and finished with a time of 27:16.

 

 


 







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