KIPLAGAT, KIPROP LEAD WARRIORS TO RUNNER-UP FINISH
October 09, 2026
Ottumwa, IA – The No. 16 nationally ranked Indian Hills Men’s Cross Country squad earned a runner-up finish on its home course as the Warriors placed two individuals in the top-five at the Indian Hills Invitational at Cedar Creek Golf Course on Friday.
The Warriors put together a strong showing led by sophomores Emmanuel Kiplagat (Iten, Kenya/St. Patricks) and Brian Kiprop (Eldoret, Kenya/Kingston College). The duo placed third and fourth, respectively during the 8k event. As a team, the Warriors tallied 60 team points to finish only behind Mount Mercy University’s 42 points. The Warriors’ effort was good enough to top No. 1 nationally ranked Iowa Western Community College who placed fourth overall.
Kiplagat crossed the finish line with an impressive time of 26:34.35 to earn the bronze finish while Kiprop, this week’s National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) DI Men’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week, followed close behind with a time of 26:43.30 to place fourth overall.
Freshman Mathis Avrillion (Grenoble, France/Lycée Pierre du Terrail) added a personal-best performance with a time of 27:49.37 to place 13th overall while fellow freshman David Moran (Annaville, PA/Annville-Cleona) also hit a personal-best with a time of 28:00.18 to place 15th overall.
Freshman Daniel Gonzalez (Rockford, IL/Oregon) rounded out the team scoring for the Warriors with a 25th place finish following a tie of 28:50.19.
Friday marked the fourth consecutive year the Warriors have earned a top-two finish at the Indian Hills Invitaitonal.
The Warriors will turn their attention to postseason competition with the upcoming NJCAA Region 11 Championship on October 30. Action from Flint Hills Golf Course in West Burlington, IA gets underway at 4:45 PM.
