By Dannicka McGrath, Photo Editor
Last week, the Jets cross country team traveled to Joplin, Missouri, to participate in the NCAA regionals, which would be the last meet of the season for most runners.
But not for junior Timothy Kiprotich, who qualified for the NCAA National Championship Meet during his first 10K race. He also broke the school’s 10K record with a time of 31:07.
“He ran probably one of the best 10k races I have ever seen,” sand cross country coach Amber McVicar. “His first mile, he actually went out and was in 34th place. He moved through the field and placed 15th.”
The previous record was set in 2021 by Asher Brown, whose time was 31:33.
“During the race, everything just clicked — my pacing, focus and mindset were all in sync,” Kiprotich said. “When I crossed the finish line and my coach told me I had set a new school record, I couldn’t believe it. It was an emotional moment because all the hard work had finally paid off. Knowing that the previous record had stood for several years made it even more meaningful.”
Qualifying for the National Championship, which will be Nov. 22 in Kenosha, Wisconsin, was also a huge accomplishment, McVicar said.
“I don’t think we have had a male D2 runner make nationals at Newman ever,” she said.
Kiprotich said he could hardly believe it himself.
“Later, when coach told me that I had also qualified for nationals, I honestly thought she was joking,” he said. “I had to hear it twice before I believed it. Making nationals has been a lifelong dream, and hearing that I made it felt incredible. I immediately thought about my family back home in Kenya and how proud they would be.”
Kiprotch is a junior majoring in nursing and is originally from Eldoret, Kenya.
“(It is) often called the ‘City of Champions’ because of its deep running culture and high-altitude environment that produces many great athletes,” Kiprotich said.
He said he started running when he was in elementary school as a means to get to and from school. But running turned into a passion and his ticket to America.
“That daily routine built my endurance and love for running long before I even realized it,” he said. “After graduating from high school, I started taking training seriously because my dream was to study in the United States through running. I had friends who had already come here on scholarships, and my uncle, who also came as a runner, inspired me to work hard and follow that same path.”
Kiprotich also holds the school record for the 8K.
“I believe I made nationals because of faith, consistency and perseverance,” he said. “Every challenge — from injuries to difficult workouts — has helped me grow stronger mentally and physically. I’m proud to hold both the 8k and 10k school records, and as I prepare for nationals, my goal is to push even harder and hopefully improve my 10k record in that heated race.”
PHOTO: Anna Corbett-Neal, Co-Editor-In-Chief
