UAA runner Wesley Kirui finished a close second in the NCAA Pre-Nationals Invitational cross-country meet Saturday in Sacramento, California.
Division I runner Jake Ritter of Cal Poly won the 8-kilometer men’s race in 24 minutes, 4 seconds, with Kirui right behind in 24:07. UAA’s Felix Kemboi placed fourth in 24:12.
Emmah Chelimo was UAA’s top finisher in the women’s 6K, placing 15th in 21:05, and teammate Nancy Jeptoo was 10 seconds behind in 21st place. They were well off the winning pace of 20:30 posted by Seattle Pacific’s Kaylee Mitchell.
The UAA women finished 12th in a field of 40 teams, and the men placed 18th in a field of 35.