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University of Oklahoma Athletics
Cheruiyot, Jeruto Sweep Weekly SEC Honors
October 22, 2024 | Cross Country
NORMAN – Oklahoma cross country freshmen Thobias Cheruiyot and Leah Jeruto have been named the Southeastern Conference Runners of the Week for their performances at the Arturo Barrios Invitational on Friday. This marks the third weekly award for Cheruiyot and the first for Jeruto, and the first occasion where Oklahoma has claimed both weekly conference awards since Sept. 5, 2015, when Zac Randall and Sarah Scott were selected.
Cheruiyot received the honor after recording the best 8K time by an SEC runner this season in College Station, Texas. With a personal best of 22:34.4, he made a 28-second improvement on his time set at the Joe Piane Invitational earlier this season. Cheruiyot was the top finisher for the Sooners in a field of 368 runners.
Cheruiyot's first recognition came on Sept. 3 after he took first place in the 5K at the OSU Cowboy Preview. His career-best 14:57.2 time was the fastest recorded by a freshman in the SEC that weekend. His second selection was granted on Oct. 8 after he placed 18th at the Joe Piane Invitational. The 23:02.2 time was the second fastest by a freshman in the SEC that weekend behind Alabama's Dismus Lokira.
Jeruto had the fastest 6K time by an SEC runner last weekend, earning second after clocking 19:00.1 and the best finish by an OU runner. The race was Jeruto's first 6K of her collegiate career and only 1.9 seconds off the course record in a field of 394 runners.
UP NEXT
The Sooners visit College Station, Texas, on Nov. 1 for the SEC Championships hosted by Texas A&M. Cross Country will be the first sport at Oklahoma to ever compete in an SEC Championship.
CONNECT WITH THE SOONERS
For more information on Oklahoma Track & Field, follow the Sooners on Twitter and Instagram (@OU_Track) and like Oklahoma Sooners Track & Field and Cross Country on Facebook.
Cheruiyot received the honor after recording the best 8K time by an SEC runner this season in College Station, Texas. With a personal best of 22:34.4, he made a 28-second improvement on his time set at the Joe Piane Invitational earlier this season. Cheruiyot was the top finisher for the Sooners in a field of 368 runners.
Cheruiyot's first recognition came on Sept. 3 after he took first place in the 5K at the OSU Cowboy Preview. His career-best 14:57.2 time was the fastest recorded by a freshman in the SEC that weekend. His second selection was granted on Oct. 8 after he placed 18th at the Joe Piane Invitational. The 23:02.2 time was the second fastest by a freshman in the SEC that weekend behind Alabama's Dismus Lokira.
Jeruto had the fastest 6K time by an SEC runner last weekend, earning second after clocking 19:00.1 and the best finish by an OU runner. The race was Jeruto's first 6K of her collegiate career and only 1.9 seconds off the course record in a field of 394 runners.
UP NEXT
The Sooners visit College Station, Texas, on Nov. 1 for the SEC Championships hosted by Texas A&M. Cross Country will be the first sport at Oklahoma to ever compete in an SEC Championship.
CONNECT WITH THE SOONERS
For more information on Oklahoma Track & Field, follow the Sooners on Twitter and Instagram (@OU_Track) and like Oklahoma Sooners Track & Field and Cross Country on Facebook.
Players Mentioned
Distance
/ Cross Country
Distance
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