NORMAN, Okla. – Several of the nation’s top distance runner braved chilly temperatures and fierce wind gusts Friday night at OU’s John Jacobs Invitational Distance Carnival to provide some of the most competitive races so far this outdoor season.
The longest race of the night was also the most competitive as Oral Roberts’ Faithy Kimangila (17:14.26), Cowley County ’s Jackline Kipwambok (17:14.58), and OU’s Aja Clark (17:15.23) dueled for the lead at the two-thirds completion mark of the race.
Kimangila ended up as the victor followed by Kipwambok and Clark. Clark ’s mark was a personal best by over 28 seconds.
Tulsa ’s Ashlea Gilfillan ran her inital regional qualifying mark of the year (10:47.42) in the 3,000-meter steeplechase to earn the night’s first victory.
Junior-college All-American Daniel Maina of Cowley County Community College was the winner of the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase, running 9:08.55.
Dawn Nagazine of Tulsa (2:09.84) outraced Mable Kunihara of Oklahoma State (2:09.91) in the women’s 800-meter run.
OU All-American Jessica Eldridge was fifth in the 800 (2:13.59).
All-American Shaun Smith of Oral Roberts (1:50.89) won the first heat of the men’s 800-meter run to take the overall victory. OU alumn Aldwyn Sappleton won the second heat to finish second overall at 1:51.87. OU’s Brayon Brown was fifth (1:52.88).
Oral Roberts’ Diana Chelimo ran the lone regional qualifying mark in the women’s 1,500-meter run to take top honors. OU’s Catherine Odell was 11th (4:41.15).
Northern Iowa’s Dorian Ulrey (3:54.70) won the men’s 1,500-meter run over Minnesota ’s Chris Rombough (3:56.03). OU freshman Rob Sorrell, running unattached, was eighth (3:57.25).
Kansas ’ Colby Wissel took a commanding victory in the men’s 5,000-meter run to conclude the night. Wissel (14:12.11) defeated second-place Edwin Henshaw of Tulsa (14:21.69) with a strong kick over the last 200 meters.