Ryan Richardson
Staff Writer
Under the Leadership of coach Mark Thorne the Tigers of Jackson State University have comprised a memorable 2019 season full of ups, downs, close calls and triumphant victories.
The Tigers began their season with strong second place finishes by both the men’s and women’s teams.
Led by Mercy Chebet, the Lady Tigers placed second overall behind Blue Mountain University at the season opener at Choctaw Trails hosted by Mississippi College in Clinton, Miss.
The Men’s cross-country team was led by a third-place overall finish by Jallah Galimah with a time of 16:56.79.
The season continued with first and third place finishes at the Mook Invitational at Louisiana Tech.
Three Tigers finished in the top seven. The efforts of Mercy Chebet, Taylor Hayes and Jallah Galimah was exactly what the lady Tigers needed for their first win of the season while the men finished in the top three with a phenomenal outing.
Choctaw Trails of Clinton weren’t quite as friendly to the Tigers the second time around this season, but it still showed the power and potential that the Tigers cross country team had yet to unveil.
The Millsaps College Invitational saw the Tigers put together another exceptional run. The Tigers finished the race with all runners within the top 15. The ladies saw Mercy Chebet take first, Carolyne Rutto in fourth, Rikita Saunders fifth, Rashuanda Ridle seventh, Azaillia Jones tenth and Athena Richardson in 13th.
The Men’s team had three runners finish 1-3. Vincent Langat crossed first followed by Gabriel Lovely and Adam Johnson.
The MC Watson Ford invitational saw the Tigers placing fourth on the women’s side with a strong seventh place showing by Mercy Chebet and an 18th place finish by Taylor Hayes.
The combined efforts of the Tigers lead by Jallah Galimah and Vincent Langat propelled them into a tenth final position out of the 18 participating schools.
In the SWAC Cross Country Championships, the Tigers finished the season strong as they prepare for the upcoming NCAA finale.
The Tigers and Lady Tigers put up great overall times with third and second place finishes respectively. The Tigers came in third behind Texas Southern and Grambling with a 28:06.76 per runner.
The Lady Tigers finished in second led by Mercy Chebet with a split time of 6:07.5 only bested by Alabama State in the top spot.
The Tigers should be well represented at the NCAA South Regional invitational where they look to improve on their season and bring home a national title.
Kimya Lewis, a sophomore elementary education major from Chicago,Ill., said “I believe in the Cross Country team and I am so proud of them. Those men and women work extremely hard every day to perform at the highest level and I’m so glad their hard work is finally starting to be recognized.”
NaKaela Cobbs, a sophomore elementary education major from Chicago, Ill., also has faith that the team will do well.
Cobbs stated, “The JSU athletics department as a whole has been doing great this year and I take my hat off to all the teams. But after attending my first cross country match, I have to give those men and women their respect. They’re really putting on for Jackson State athletics in a major way and I wish them nothing but success.”
Be First to Comment