Kiptoo Headlines New Cross Country Season
Westcliff Cross Country had an impressive season a year ago, headlined by Kelvin Kiptoo, who collected All Cal Pac honors after finishing fifth at the Cal Pac Championships, then went on to compete at the NAIA nationals, the first Warrior in history to accomplish either feat. For his remarkable season, Kiptoo went on to become the 2021-22 Warrior of the Year — all that, and he was just a freshman. This year, Kiptoo is Westcliff’s unquestioned leader and will run with its highest expectations.
By Brandon Petersen
Westcliff Cross Country had an impressive season a year ago, headlined by Kelvin Kiptoo, who collected All Cal Pac honors after finishing fifth at the Cal Pac Championships, then went on to compete at the NAIA nationals, the first Warrior in history to accomplish either feat.
For his remarkable season, Kiptoo went on to become the 2021-22 Warrior of the Year — all that, and he was just a freshman.
This year, Kiptoo is Westcliff's unquestioned leader and will run with its highest expectations.
"I want to push Kelvin to be a Top 3 Cal Pac finisher," Head coach Justin Johnson said. "He is our returning runner who will be able to show the incoming freshmen the ropes, and I'll be relying heavily on him to make the new teammates feel at home."
Although not technically a newcomer after joining the program in the spring, Emmanuel Cheruiyot will compete for the first time for Westcliff when the Warriors travel to Brea for the Mark Covert Classic on Sept. 3rd.
"Emmanuel is ready to open the cross country season to showcase his skills on multiple courses," Johnson said.
The head coach also highlighted another newcomer, Jonas Koturenka, an experienced middle-distance runner from Germany who will step up and run long distance this year.
"Jonas has a lot of experience and patience," Johnson said. "That will help him make the transition to distance races this fall."
Cameron Blankenship and Abelardo Rendon will be counted on as veterans in the program. Both are looking to improve on times from a year ago.
Johnson said both will have to train hard and put in the necessary work in order to achieve their individual goals.
"I'm excited for the season," Johnson said. "It's time to put the rubber to the road."
On Sept. 17th, Westcliff will travel to Riverside for UCR's 41st annual Cross Country Invitational.
"That race will have great competition, and will help us reach our season goals," Johnson said.
The Warriors will also travel to Las Vegas for a meet hosted by the College of Southern Nevada.
"They have an amazing coach," Johnson said. "I can't wait to see all the great things he is building there."
Johnson says that the Warriors will follow a different trail toward the postseason this year.
"Between our second-to-last meet of the season and the conference championship meet, we are taking two weeks off from weekend meets to go back to the drawing board with the team," he said.
The Warriors will examine which race paces worked and which didn't, as well as race strategies to implement at the conference championships.
Kiptoo especially is a highly calculated runner, remarkable at pacing himself in-race to reach his peak performance during the closing minutes.
"We will put race plans in place for everyone," Johnson said. "We will train to those paces and be fresh and ready for the Cal Pac Championships in November."
…
September 4, 2022
Cal State Fullerton Mark Covert Cross Country Classic at Carbon Canyon Regional Park
8:15 a.m. - Men's Open 8K
8:55 a.m. - Men's Invite 8K
9:30 a.m. - Women's Invite 5K
10 a.m. - Women's Open 5K
Carbon Canyon Regional Park
4442 Carbon Canyon Road
Brea, CA 92823
...