(L-R): Nicholas Kiprotich, Edwin Kiprop, Allie Zealand
Kiprotich, Kiprop & Zealand Repeat CUSA Sweep
10/8/2024 2:05:00 PM | Cross Country
LYNCHBURG, Va. – For the second time in three weeks, the same three Liberty cross country runners combined to sweep the CUSA weekly honors. Nicholas Kiprotich (Male Athlete of the Week) and Edwin Kiprop (Male Freshman of the Week) earned the men's awards, while Allie Zealand was recognized as both Female Athlete and Freshman of the Week.
A senior from Eldoret, Kenya, Kiprotich garnered his third CUSA Male Athlete of the Week honor this season and the fourth of his career. He paced the Flames with a 49th-place finish at Friday's Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational, clocking an 8K time of 23:33.3.
Contesting the 8K distance for the first time as a Flame, Kiprop became the 11th Liberty runner ever to post a sub-24:00 effort. The native of Kapsabet, Kenya crossed the line in 23:57.3, good for fourth place on the team and 84th overall in the race. Both of Kiprop's collegiate cross country races have now resulted in CUSA Freshman of the Week recognition.
Now a three-time CUSA Freshman of the Week and a two-time CUSA Athlete of the Week, Zealand fashioned another impressive race at Notre Dame. The Forest, Va., native placed a team-leading 16th overall and third among freshmen, helping the Lady Flames place an impressive fourth in the final team standings. Zealand's season-best 5K time of 16:37.2 ranks No. 3 in program history.
Kiprotich, Kiprop and Zealand will all return to action on Oct. 19 at the Wisconsin Pre-Nationals in Madison, Wis. The races will take place at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Cross Country course, the site of next month's NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships.
A separate group of Lady Flames will remain closer to home for the Roanoke XC Invitational in Salem, Va., also slated for Oct. 19.
A senior from Eldoret, Kenya, Kiprotich garnered his third CUSA Male Athlete of the Week honor this season and the fourth of his career. He paced the Flames with a 49th-place finish at Friday's Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational, clocking an 8K time of 23:33.3.
Contesting the 8K distance for the first time as a Flame, Kiprop became the 11th Liberty runner ever to post a sub-24:00 effort. The native of Kapsabet, Kenya crossed the line in 23:57.3, good for fourth place on the team and 84th overall in the race. Both of Kiprop's collegiate cross country races have now resulted in CUSA Freshman of the Week recognition.
Now a three-time CUSA Freshman of the Week and a two-time CUSA Athlete of the Week, Zealand fashioned another impressive race at Notre Dame. The Forest, Va., native placed a team-leading 16th overall and third among freshmen, helping the Lady Flames place an impressive fourth in the final team standings. Zealand's season-best 5K time of 16:37.2 ranks No. 3 in program history.
Kiprotich, Kiprop and Zealand will all return to action on Oct. 19 at the Wisconsin Pre-Nationals in Madison, Wis. The races will take place at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Cross Country course, the site of next month's NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships.
A separate group of Lady Flames will remain closer to home for the Roanoke XC Invitational in Salem, Va., also slated for Oct. 19.
Players Mentioned
Coach Zealand & Ryann Aycock Give An Update On The Cross Country Season
Wednesday, September 17
Emma Unger: Every Step of the Way
Wednesday, May 14
Follow the Leader: Lance Bingham
Tuesday, May 13
Beau Backes: Following God's Calling in Two Worlds
Friday, May 02