Kipyego Wins Two National Titles

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - After capturing the 5000M title on Friday, Sally Kipyego became the first Texas Tech track athlete to capture two crowns at a single NCAA Championships when she won the 3000M. The sophomore Red Raider now has the most individual national titles of any Texas Tech track athlete with three including the 2006 cross country gold. Kipyego, who usually sets the pace for the field, found herself letting others lead for most of the race. The Marakwet, Kenya, native took control on the last lap winning with a time of 9:02.05. With the victory, Kipyego becomes only the fourth Big 12 competitor to win two indoor titles in the history of the conference. She is only the second to do so in the same year joining Marshevet Hooker of Texas. Kipyego contributed 20 points to the Texas Tech women`s team standing, earning the Red Raiders 10th place. The finish in Tech`s highest-ever finish at the indoor championships. Pentathlon competitor Julianne Kennedy finished 14th with 3868 points. The junior from Sherman, Texas, began the competition with a personal best time in the 60M hurdles with a clocking of 8.76. Her previous best from the Texas Tech Open in February was a time of 8.82. Kennedy also had marks of 5`-5.25" in the high jump, 39`-3.75" in the shot put, 18`-4.5" in the long jump and a time of 2:28.52 in the 800M, her second best mark in the event. School-record holder Lindsey Walesheck finished 15th in the women`s pole vault on Saturday. The senior, competing at her first national championships, cleared a height of 13`-1.5", her second best mark. The Red Raiders finished the competition with four All-Americans. In Friday`s competition, Lacy Wilson also earned the honor despite finishing 11th due to international athletes competing. The honor is the senior`s first distinction after completing her indoor career as the Big 12 runner-up and school-record holder. The men`s 4x400M, consisting of Brandon Washington, Rodney Mims, Bryan Scott and Tim Foster, finished just out of All-American status as they placed ninth. The squad ran a time of 3:08.71. The Tech men finished with seven points and in 30th place. All-Americans Kevin Chelimo, 6th, 5000M Sally Kipyego, 1st, 3000M Sally Kipyego, 1st, 5000M Marlon Odom, 5th, 60M Hurdles Lacy Wilson, 11th, High Jump