COLUMBIA, Mo.– After qualifying with a 9th place finish at the NCAA South Central Regional, freshman Dorcas Jepkosgei prepares for her first run at the NCAA Cross Country Championships that is set for Saturday, Nov. 22 from Gans Creek, home of the Mizzou Tigers.
 
"We are very excited for her," shared head coach John Sauerhage. "She is an exceptional talent, and this will be a great experience for her."
 
Jepkosgei is the fifth woman in program history to make it to the cross country nationals as the other four were Matro Jepkemboi (2023), Jodi Hulett (2006), Kristin Ahlepil (1997) and Angela Nelson (1995).
 
In her first regional appearance one week ago, Jepkosgei paced the Mavericks with a top 10 finish in the women's 6k, capturing a blistering time of 20:13.2. The newcomer has competed among the top runners throughout the country all season with multiple top finishes under her freshman belt.
 
Heading into nationals, Jepkosgei is currently ranked 90th in the country and seventh in the South Central Region according to the USTFCCCA as the newcomer was among three freshmen who capped a top spot in the championships.
 
The Kenyan native has posted top individual finishes throughout the season, earning her way to WAC Freshman of the Year honors. After placing second at the conference championships, Jepkosgei was named First Team All-WAC and accumulated three WAC Athlete of the Week selections.
 
Jepkosgei is one of two individuals representing the WAC as Utah Valley's Morgan Nokes joins her in the competition.
 
All national championship information can be found here.
 
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