TUSKEGEE, Ala. – Tuskegee University's men's and women's cross country teams competed in the 2024 SIAC Cross Country Championships, held on Wednesday morning, with the Golden Tigers securing second place on the women's side and third on the men's, both the best finishes in cross country program history.
The men's 8K event began at 9 a.m. ET, followed by the women's 5K at 10 a.m. ET. Both races were highly competitive, showcasing the best runners from across the conference.
The men's race kicked off at 9 a.m. ET, where Tuskegee's team fought hard against strong competition in the 8K event. Leading the Golden Tigers was
Dennis Kibet, who delivered a standout performance, crossing the finish line with a time of 26:53.1, placing him sixth overall.
Kosgei has been a consistent force throughout the season and continued to display his leadership during this crucial race. Following closely behind was
Edgar Kosgei, who finished 11th with a solid time of 27:11.6, adding valuable points to Tuskegee's team total. The men's squad worked together to secure a respectable finish in the team standings, demonstrating the growth and strength of the program throughout the season.
Other finishers on the men's side included
Jayden Davidson at 14 (27:42.5),
Austin Stokes at 23rd (29:06.5) and
Carl Richards at 31:20.1.
Despite the challenging course and stiff competition, Tuskegee's men's team showcased resilience, with strong performances from their key runners. The group has steadily improved over the season, and their efforts at the SIAC Championships capped off a year of hard work and development.
Following the men's event, the women's 5K race started at 10 a.m. ET. Leading the charge for all runners was
Anaya Martin, who continued her incredible season with yet another personal best with a time of 19:12.98. Martin has been the anchor for the women's team all year and put in another top-tier performance at the conference championships, solidifying her status as one of the best runners in the SIAC.
Following Martin's strong showing was
Anitria Sangster, who clocked in at 19:30.18, finishing third overall, and
Akierah Walker clocked in at 19:57.98 and finishing sixth, also contributing to the team's overall performance with both times being personal bests.
The Tuskegee women showed grit and determination, with several runners posting personal bests despite tough competition from the SIAC's top teams. Their collective effort earned them a respectable finish in the standings, capping off a season where growth and resilience were on full display.
Both the men's and women's teams demonstrated progress throughout the season, with their performances at the 2024 SIAC Cross Country Championships serving as a testament to their hard work and perseverance.
Key individual performances, particularly from Kosgei and Martin, highlighted the event, with the entire Tuskegee squad showing potential for further success in the seasons to come.
With the championship behind them, the Golden Tigers can now reflect on a season of growth, while looking ahead to continuing their development as a program for the upcoming track season.
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