NEW ORLEANS – Following strong showings at Virginia's Panorama Farms XC 23 Invitational, the Eastern Kentucky University men's cross country team has jumped three spots to No. 7 while the women remain at No. 15 in the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Southeast Region Rankings.
 
The EKU men are positioned ahead of some notable teams, including Virginia Tech (No. 9), in-state foe Kentucky (No. 11), conference rival Liberty (No. 12), and Clemson (No. 13).
 
The rise follows a fifth-place finish at the XC 23 Invitational at Virginia. The men beat regional foes ranked ahead of the Colonels such as Kentucky and Virginia Tech. They also beat other teams ranked ahead of the Maroon and White such as Ole Miss and Cal Poly without their two All-Americans in outdoor track last season, Ahmed Jaziri and Ahmed Kadri.
 
Senior Enock Kipchumba delivered a stellar performance clocking his personal-best 8K time of 23:35.60 finishing in 14^th place out of 184 runners. He earned ASUN Men's Cross Country Runner of the Week honors on Wednesday.
 
Seven other Colonel men had career-best 8K times, including Hakim Abouzouhir (23:54.10), Joan Tapias (23:54.40), Nicodemus Rotich (24:02.20), Griffin Staude (24:05.20), Keeton Thornsberry (24:07.50), Nikodem Dworczak (24:18.90), and Jackson Siddall (24:30.00).
 
Graduate student Jone Zabaleta Larranaga led the EKU women with a 5K time of 16:51.60 finishing in seventh place out of 173 competitors. Senior Grace Kilroy had a solid performance, posting a 5K time of 17:41.80.
 
The EKU cross country teams return to action on Oct. 29 at the ASUN Cross Country Championships in Huntsville, Ala.
 
THOUGHTS FROM THE STUDENT-ATHLETES ON THE ASUN CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS AND THE SEASON SO FAR
 
"I think that the cross season so far has gone quite well. We have been improving our weakest aspects, both individually and as a group, as we got a good result in the last meet in Virginia," Jone Zabaleta Larranaga said. "In addition, we have not yet been able to take advantage of all the potential that we have as a team, because of injuries and illnesses. We have not been able to race all the athletes that make up the team. I think that the conference championships will be the day that we can get the best out of ourselves both individually and as a group and achieve a great result for both the men's and women's team. I am excited!"
 
"It's been a great season for the team and on a personal level. We have seen great improvement in every aspect of training throughout this season. The support from the coaches and my teammates has been tremendous," Enock Kipchumba said. "We have been building up the intensity and strength with purpose to compete at national level. The running sessions, lifting weights, and body exercises have been effective. The motivation to be the best team is pushing us to be the best. The championships are coming up and we see a good chance of us emerging to the best. We are ready to compete and win. EKU, let's ride!"