Men's Cross Country Break Into Top 10 in Latest National Cross Country Rankings
The Colby Community College men’s cross country team continues to climb the national ladder, moving up three spots to No. 10 in the latest U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) NJCAA Division I National Coaches’ Poll released Wednesday.
NEW ORLEANS, La. — The Colby Community College men's cross country team continues to climb the national ladder, moving up three spots to No. 10 in the latest U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) NJCAA Division I National Coaches' Poll released Wednesday (Oct. 15).
The rise comes on the heels of another strong performance from sophomore Japhet Kiprono, who once again led the Trojans with an 11th-place finish in 24:31.6, his fastest time of the season and one of the top NJCAA marks in the entire field. Right behind him, fellow sophomore Kenan Delestre turned in a breakthrough effort, finishing 16th overall with a personal-best 24:39.4. Together, the duo gave Colby two top-20 finishers and reinforced the Trojans' position as one of the premier junior college programs in the country.
Colby's depth has been a defining strength throughout the fall. Earlier in September at the Muthama-Rogers Invitational, the Trojans packed tightly up front with Delestre (5th, 25:56.0), Kiprono (6th, 26:09.8), and Enoha Reizabal-Bellanger (7th, 26:09.8) all placing inside the top 10 to help Colby secure a runner-up team finish.
With their new top-10 national ranking, the Trojans now sit fourth among Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC) programs, joining a loaded field that features Hutchinson (No. 2), Butler (No. 4), and Garden City (No. 9).
Colby will look to carry its momentum into the Region VI Championships, hosted on its home course next Friday (Oct. 24). Fans can find more details and results at the Cross Country tab on the official Colby Athletics website.