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University of Oklahoma Athletics
Cheruiyot, Jeruto Cap XC Season at Nationals
November 23, 2024 | Cross Country
MADISON, Wis. – Oklahoma freshmen Leah Jeruto and Thobias Cheruiyot concluded the 2024 cross country season at the NCAA Championships Saturday morning held at the Thomas Zimmer Cross Country Course.
Jeruto finished 40th in the women's 6K with a time of 20:04.6 for NCAA All-America honors. She becomes the first OU woman since Jessica Eldridge, who finished 18th in 2006, to earn the award. Jeruto joins an elite group of just six women in Oklahoma history who have been named an All-American.
"Today was a great finish to Leah's freshman season," said head women's cross country coach Anna Bearss. "We came in with the goal of an All-America finish, and even when things got hard Leah held her ground to accomplish that goal. In the future we hope to build on results from this fall with the experience she has gained, but for now we'll celebrate the amazing season it has been."
Cheruiyot recorded 29:57.0 for 104th in the men's 10K to cap his first collegiate cross country season.
"I'm incredibly proud of Thobias and the season he had," commented head men's cross country coach Jay Weaver. "To reflect back on his accomplishments in the conference, region and qualifying for the NCAA Championships in his first cross country season is an amazing testament to his ability, dedication and work ethic. I'm very proud of the season he and the entire team had."
The Sooners now turn their attention to the 2024-25 indoor track and field season. Cheruiyot will compete for OU in his second season and Jeruto will make her track debut.
Results from the NCAA Cross Country Championships are available via PT Timing.
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.
Jeruto finished 40th in the women's 6K with a time of 20:04.6 for NCAA All-America honors. She becomes the first OU woman since Jessica Eldridge, who finished 18th in 2006, to earn the award. Jeruto joins an elite group of just six women in Oklahoma history who have been named an All-American.
"Today was a great finish to Leah's freshman season," said head women's cross country coach Anna Bearss. "We came in with the goal of an All-America finish, and even when things got hard Leah held her ground to accomplish that goal. In the future we hope to build on results from this fall with the experience she has gained, but for now we'll celebrate the amazing season it has been."
Cheruiyot recorded 29:57.0 for 104th in the men's 10K to cap his first collegiate cross country season.
"I'm incredibly proud of Thobias and the season he had," commented head men's cross country coach Jay Weaver. "To reflect back on his accomplishments in the conference, region and qualifying for the NCAA Championships in his first cross country season is an amazing testament to his ability, dedication and work ethic. I'm very proud of the season he and the entire team had."
The Sooners now turn their attention to the 2024-25 indoor track and field season. Cheruiyot will compete for OU in his second season and Jeruto will make her track debut.
Results from the NCAA Cross Country Championships are available via PT Timing.
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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