LEXINGTON, Ky. – Freshman Brighter Jepchumba punched her ticket to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the women's 10,000 meters on Thursday night.
 
The native of Uasin Gishu County, Kenya finished eighth with a time of 33:06.47 at the NCAA East First Rounds to secure her spot at the national championship meet in Eugene, Oregon.
 
The women's 10,000 meters final will be held Thursday, June 11 at the University of Oregon's Hayward Field.
 
Jepchumba is the second Colonel in two days to punch their ticket to the NCAA Championships. Miguel Baidal advanced in the men's 10,000 meters on Wednesday evening.
 
Jepchumba is also the second EKU woman in the last two years to qualify for the NCAA Championships in the 10,000 meters. Her teammate, Edna Chelulei, advanced to Eugene in both the 10,000 meters and the 5,000 meters last year.
 
Jepchumba will attempt to pull off the same double this year. She will race in the NCAA East 5,000 meters, along with Chelulei, on Saturday night at 8:10 p.m.