Cross Country's Rotich Dominates, Wins Individual Title at Notre Dame Invitational

Friday, September 29

Burke Golf Course, South Bend, IN

W: 1 p.m. / M: 1:45 p.m.

Tulane University

Joe Piane Notre Dame XC Invitational

Cross Country's Rotich Dominates, Wins Individual Title at Notre Dame Invitational

Sep 30, 2017 | Cross Country

Full Results

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Tulane cross country junior Emmanuel Rotich continued to show why he is considered one of the best runners in the country, Friday in South Bend, Ind., at the Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational, as he claimed the individual title in men's five mile gold race with a time of 24:17.4.

After sitting out the previous two meets to rest, Rotich delivered a dominating performance in his return to win his second event of the season. Rotich averaged a pace of 4:51.5 per mile, as he finished nearly 13 seconds ahead of the second-place finisher and helped the Green Wave earn a 12^th place overall team finish. Earlier this season, Rotich, who was named Runner of the Year by the Louisiana Sports Writer's Association last year, won men's 8km (4.97 miles) race at the Temple Invitational in Philadelphia, Pa., with a time of 26:00.6.

Senior Moses Aloiloi finished 25^th (25:28.3) and sophomore Carlos Zervigon placed 86^th (26:26.8) to finish in the top 100. Junior Joshua Cheruyot, freshman Andrew Kipkemboi and junior Pierce Hill finished 101^st (26:45.6), 105^th (26:51.8), 143^rd (28:18.0), respectively, to represent Tulane in the gold race.

On the women's side, senior Lauren Bartels and sophomore Sarah Cella each set new personal records in the women's 5K blue race. Bartels', who finished 61^st, time of 17:32.8 beats her previous mark of 17:38.93, which she set at the Brooks Memphis Twilight XC Classic 5K last season, while Cella finished the race in 18:34.5. Cella's previous best was 18:38.74, which she achieved at the Brooks Memphis Twilight XC Classic 5K last season, as well.

Senior Emma Newton finished in 86^th place with a time of 17:50.2, while freshman Bridgid Selfors earned a 122^nd-place finish (18:20.9) to round out the top 125 competitors in the women's 5K blue race.

Tulane will rest until Oct. 14, when it competes at the Pre-National Invitational at E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park in Louisville, Ky.

Fans can follow along for results on Twitter (@GreenWaveXCTF) or find the team on Facebook. Follow Tulane Athletics on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and @TulaneAthletics on Snapchat.