UAA Athletics

UAA runners continue their success at West Region championships

The Kenyans led the way, but a couple of 800-meter runners from Alaska made a big difference for UAA on Saturday at the West Region cross-country championships

The Seawolves added to their considerable success at the region meet by winning the women's team championship and placing third in the men's standings on a cold day in Billings, Montana.

Four women and four men earned all-region honors and both teams qualified for the Dec. 1 NCAA Division II national championships. The women put on a show by placing four runners in the top 11 on a day when the temperature was 18 degrees at the start of the race.

Emmah Chelimo won the women's race to become UAA's 12th West Region champion. She was one of six runners from Kenya — three women, three men — to earn all-region honors by placing in the top 25.

Chelimo, a junior whose brother Paul Chelimo won the 2016 Olympic silver medal in the 5,000 meters, pulled away from teammate (and countrymate) Nancy Jeptoo with about two kilometers left to breeze to the women's 6-kilometer victory. She won the 6-kilometer race in 20:57.5, more than 10 seconds ahead of second-place Jeptoo (21:08.7.)

Zennah Jepchumba, another Kenyan, placed sixth for the Seawolves.

But even with three runners in the top six, the women wouldn't be region champions without the contributions from a pair of 800-meter runners from Alaska.

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One of them, senior Dani McCormick of Soldotna, earned all-region honors by placing 11th. McCormick is the reigning Division II 800-meter indoor track champion, and Saturday marked the best region result of her cross-country career.

The other is Ruth Cvancara, a Dimond High grad who placed 46th in her first season of cross country at UAA.

"Dani ran her best region race ever," coach Michael Friess said. "You're looking at an 800-meter runner out there. She ran an awesome race."

So did Cvancara, who walked onto UAA's track team as an 800-meter runner last year and is in her first season on the cross-country team.

She placed 46th to help the Seawolves secure the team title, passing several runners near the end of the race to help UAA beat Simon Fraser by 19 points.

"Ruth's one of those great walk-ons," Friess said. "She decided to run cross country this year and I'm glad she did. She worked her butt off and has become very valuable to us."

In the men's race, Kenyans Felix Kemboi and Wesley Kirui placed second and fifth to lead the Seawolves. Kemboi clocked 30:50.9 to finish a close second to winner Eddie King of Chico State (30:49.0).

Also earning all-region honors for UAA were Jorge Sanchez of California (19th) and Nickson Koech of Kenya (23rd).

UAA's fifth runner was freshman Drew Johnson of Colorado, who placed 69th.

"He's another 800-meter kid just getting into our system and has really made some big improvements, and today it showed," Friess said.

Saturday's results continued years of West Region dominance for the Seawolves and Friess, who is in his 29th season as the team's coach.

They have won eight team titles — five by the women, three by the men — and 12 individual titles, with six apiece for each team.

Friess said the women's team is one of the best the school has ever fielded, but winning a region title wasn't the focus at regionals.

"Your first focus is to get into the national meet," Friess said. "We didn't talk at all about winning it. I didn't spring that idea into their brains until we were in the huddle and I said, 'Go try and win it.'

"They responded very well. It's the eighth region championship for our program. It's pretty fun."

Results

Women's team scores (top 3) — UAA 66, Simon Fraser 85, Chico State 88.

Winner — Emmah Chelimo, UAA, 20:57.5.

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Other UAA results — 2) Nancy Jeptoo 21:08.7; 6) Zennah Jepchumba 21:23.1; 11) Dani McCormick 21:35.7; 46) Ruth Cvancara 22:21.0; 86) Kimberly Coscia 22:58.6; 135) Riley Burroughs 24:00.6.

Men's team scores (top 3) — Chico State 39, Simon Fraser 63, UAA 116.

Winner — Eddie King, Chico State, 30:49.0.

UAA results — 2) Felix Kemboi 30:50.9; 5) Wesley Kirui 31:04.8; 19) Jorge Sanchez 31:36.9; 23) Nickson Koech 31:43.4; 69) Drew Johnson 32:44; 74) Kaleb Korta 32:49.3; 94) Faisal Ibrahim 33:22.1.

Ruling the West Region

Saturday's victories by Emmah Chelimo and the women's team give UAA eight team titles and 12 individual championships over the years.

Women

2018 — Emmah Chelimo

2017 — Caroline Kurgat

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2015 — Joyce Chelimo

2013 — Susan Tanui

2012 — Susan Tanui

2011 — Ruth Keino

Team titles: 2018, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2009

Men

2015 — Henry Cheseto

2014 — Henry Cheseto

2012 — Micah Chelimo

2011 — Micah Chelimo

2010 — Marko Cheseto

2009 — Marko Cheseto

Team titles: 2015, 2011, 2010

Beth Bragg

Beth Bragg wrote about sports and other topics for the ADN for more than 35 years, much of it as sports editor. She retired in October 2021. She's contributing coverage of Alaskans involved in the 2022 Winter Olympics.

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