Kemboi Earns Second A-Sun Runner of the Week Award
9/23/2009 12:00:00 AM | Cross Country
Sept. 23, 2009
SPARTANBURG, S.C. - USC Upstate cross country runner Gilbert Kemboi was named the Atlantic Sun Conference male runner of the week, the conference office announced today. This is the second weekly award for the first year Spartan runner.
The Spartans men's cross country team competed on Friday in Blacksburg, Va. at the Virginia Tech Alumni Invitational which was a 7.6 kilometer race. Kemboi, who was the first collegiate to cross the finish line, posted a time of 23:43.90 en route to his second-place finish on Friday evening.
"We are very proud of Gilbert's strong effort on Friday," said head cross country coach Jimmy Stephens. "If we are going to be competitive at the Atlantic Sun Championships, performances like Gilbert's will be needed. "
Kemboi, competing in a field of 94 runners, finished less than two seconds behind the meet winner, Ridge Robinson who posted a time of 23:42.3. The men's cross country team finished in sixth-place at the event that featured Atlantic Coast Conference members Florida State, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest.
"Gilbert had an excellent race on Friday and fought back in the late stages of the race to close the gap. I am impressed with the competitive nature that he has shown so far this season," said assistant cross country coach Carson Blackwelder.
On the season, Kemboi has posted a pair of first-place finishes complimented by Friday's second-place finish. He won the Wofford Relays with the help of teammate Cameron Thomas, followed by a victory at the Eye Opener Invitational.
The cross country teams will return to action on Friday, Oct. 2 at the Charlotte Invite with a scheduled start time of 4:15 p.m.
