Tulane University
45th Sean Earl Loyola Lakefront Invitational
Jeptanui Breaks School Record in Chicago
Oct 4, 2024 | Cross Country
CHICAGO, Il. - The Tulane cross country program competed at the 45th Sean Earl Loyola Lakefront Invitational here Friday. Caroline Jeptanui highlighted the day, posting a new school record time of 19:04.85 to place second overall.
The previous school record of 19:58.3 was held by 2023 AAC Champion Gemma Rebollo, ran in 2023.
"Caroline is flat out a competitor. She ran about 5,400m with the NCAA runner-up and collegiate record holder today. I told her before the race that she belongs in the conversation for best cross country athlete in the NCAA. Today she showed that to be true. She's been working hard and her best races are to come. We are very proud of Caroline's record performance today."
Jeptanui's runner-up finish led the Wave women to a seventh-place team result, while Bernard Cheruiyot guided the men to an eighth-place finish.
The women finished just eight points behind NCAA No. 29 Texas (ranked No. 1 in South Central region) while also beating out No. 10 Wisconsin.
"Today was our first time racing most of our top group and I couldn't be much happier. We came in and raced well against some of the best teams and individuals in the NCAA. We came up about 1K short of having an extremely good day. All that to say, we are going to keep getting better over the coming weeks and have a national class program in November."
Blezzin Kimutai was the next to finish for the Tulane women with a time of 19:44.89, also breaking the previous school record. Paula Vaquera followed in 34th place, clocking 20:31.19. Danna Diaz and Alex Sharp rounded out the top five - Diaz placed 57th with a time of 20:52.06, while Sharp secured 78th, running 21:10.51. Nearly all of the women ran personal bests today.
On the men's side, Cheruiyot claimed fifth with a time of 22:55.64. Jack Jennings followed in 12th place at 23:25.25, while Illia Kunin finished 23rd with a time of 23:40.95. Ryan Adkins placed 78th in 24:27.65, and Wondu Summa rounded out the top five, finishing 83rd at 24:31.72.
"Our men had a rough day today and maybe were a little too excited the first couple K, but we can fix that in the future. We aren't lacking on the men's side, just a matter of putting it together which we will in the coming weeks. This is the best mens squad ever assembled at Tulane. The coming weeks will show that."
Results can be found here
https://results.lakeshoreathleticservices.com/meets/40164
In two weeks, the Olive and Blue will compete ay the Crimson Classic in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on Friday, Oct. 18.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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