MACON, Ga. -- Edwin Kiprono's first place finish led the way as Tuskegee had three runners finish among the top 15 in the season-opening Julius Johnson Invitational Friday afternoon at the Georgia Premiere Cross Country Course.

The Golden Tigers, competing in a field that included several Division I schools, finished second overall with 50 points. Host Mercer (20 points) won the meet on a course it is very familiar with, but it was not enough to keep Kiprono from stealing the show. Kiprono, a junior in his first-ever competition for the Golden Tigers, had a winning time of 18:35.9, which was nearly a minute ahead of the closest competitor. He would average less than five minutes per mile - the only person to accomplish the fete in the race.

Kiprono was not the sole highlight for Tuskegee. Two additional transfers - Timothy Rotich (5:25.2) and Paul Barmao (5:31.1) - were among the top-10 scorers, finishing 10th and 14th, respectively, and were the only non-Mercer runners in the top 15. Issiah Simms (5:33.3) finished 18th overall and was 11th in points.

The Golden Tigers are back in action on Sept. 18 when they compete in the Falcon Classic, hosted by the University of Montevallo.