Men's Cross Country | 10/21/2016 5:20:00 PM

CLINTON, Miss. (Men's & Women's Cross Country) -- With 35 points, Grambling State men's cross country team won the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship Friday at Choctaw Trails, successfully defending its 2015 title. Grambling was led by Hassan Chepkwony, who finished first with a time of 26:09.8. Chepkwony was also honored as 2016 Men's Cross Country Athlete of the Year.

Chepkwony wasn't alone in his domination of the men's field. Noah Rugut placed fourth place with a time of 26:33.71. Montieco Harris came in seventh place with a time of 26:49.26. Hillary Kiprop ended the race in eleventh place with a time of 27:24.40. Kiprop was followed by Jeremiah Kimeli in 12th place with a time of 27:29.92.

Coach Betram Lovell was honored as the 2016 SWAC Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year. This title is Lovell's 35th championship since he has been the head coach at Grambling State.

On the women's side, Grambling finished seventh place with a collective time of 1:49:47.51.Halima Chepkwony rounded out the top five runners earning fifth place with a time of 19:14.20. Tichina Lewis placed 24th with a time of 20:40.32.

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