Alabama
SEC Championships
10/30/2026 1:46:00 PM | Track & Field, Cross Country
The Crimson Tide men secured their second consecutive conference title, women crowned champions for first time since 2024
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The No. 4/No. 9 men's and women's cross country teams displayed their respective dominance on Friday morning at Gans Creek Cross Country Course, as both sides of the Alabama cross country program were crowned Southeastern Conference champions. The women were responsible for a lowly 48 points in the 6K, while the men followed their counterparts with an impressive 37 points in the 8K.
The women opened the conference meet by placing five within the top 18 of the women's 6K race, with Caren Kiplagat topping the field with a first-place finish, timing out at 18:46.5. The individual victory stands as the fourth win in four appearances this season for the sophomore standout. Cynthia Jemutai (19:08.1 | 8th) and Brenda Tuwei (19:11.6 | 10th) also closed in the top-ten of the 152-woman field.
The men succeeded the women with a dazzling display of their own, as Dismus Lokira (22:09.0 | 2nd), Rodgers Plimo (22:11.5 | 3rd) and Dennis Kipruto (22:16.3 | 4th) garnered top five placements to lead the Alabama charge.
The women's SEC cross country championship represents the fifth all-time team title in program history, while Kiplagat becomes just the sixth different runner and ninth overall to claim an SEC individual championship. The men defended their SEC crown by producing their sixth-ever conference championship, as the Crimson Tide 37 points were its lowest point-total at the conference meet since 2008 (32 points). The 2026 season represents just the second instance both sides of Alabama cross country have swept the SEC Championships (2022).
Women's 6K Rundown
- Alabama saw five runners finish in the top 18 and was the only group to manage five runners in the top 20 of the standings
- Along with Kiplagat, Jemutai and Tuwei, the Tide was boosted by the performances of Mildred Rono (19:13.4 | 11th) and Milicent Wafula (19:32.4 | 18th)
- Also competing were Sharon Kipchumba (20:14.3 | 39th), Celina Coryell (20:45.5 | 69th), Meriel Rowland (21:15.0 | 97th), Izzie Sullivan (21:19.9 | 99th) and Athena Andrecyk (22:43.1 | 142nd)
Men's 8K Rundown
- The Crimson Tide men stood as the lone team to garner five runners in the top 15 of the 8K
- Helping deflate Alabama's point total were Duncan Gituku (22:44.6 | 13th) and Bismack Kipchirchir (22:47.2 | 15th)
- Ezekiel Pitireng (22:58.1 | 20th), Jackson Hogsed (23:24.9 | 31st), Ethan Locke (23:45.7 | 42nd), Evan Trapp (24:02.2 | 49th) and Jackson Harris (24:05.4 | 52nd) were also among the Tide's entrants
- In total, the Tide notched 10 racers in the top 52 to place its entire racing group in the top half of the 108-man field
From Head Coach Dan Waters
"I'm just really proud of these two groups. Both the men and the women came out here today and raced with purpose and toughness. The guys put five in the top 15 and scored 37 points to defend their title, and the women were dominant with Caren (Kiplagat) taking the individual crown and the team scoring 48 to win it. Sweeping both championships is special — it's only the second time we've done it, and the first since 2022. These athletes have bought into the process every single day, and today you saw the result of that work and belief in each other. We're not done yet, but we're going to enjoy this one. Roll Tide!"
Women's 6K Individual Results
- 1st – Caren Kiplagat – 18:46.5
- 8th – Cynthia Jemutai – 19:08.1
- 10th – Brenda Tuwei – 19:11.6
- 11th – Mildred Rono – 19:13.4
- 18th – Milicent Wafula – 19:32.4
- 39th – Sharon Kipchumba – 20:14.3
- 69th – Celina Coryell – 20:45.5
- 97th – Meriel Rowland – 21:15.0
- 99th – Izzie Sullivan – 21:19.9
- 142nd – Athena Andrecyk – 22:43.1
Men's 8K Individual Results
- 2nd – Dismus Lokira – 22:09.0
- 3rd – Rodgers Plimo – 22:11.5
- 4th – Dennis Kipruto – 22:16.3
- 13th – Duncan Gituku – 22:44.6
- 15th – Bismack Kipchirchir – 22:47.2
- 20th – Ezekiel Pitireng – 22:58.1
- 31st – Jackson Hogsed – 23:24.9
- 42nd – Ethan Locke – 23:45.7
- 49th – Evan Trapp – 24:02.2
- 52nd – Jackson Harris – 24:05.4
Up Next
- The Crimson Tide will begin preparations for the 2026 NCAA South Regional Championships scheduled for Friday, Nov. 13 in Tallahassee, Fla.
- The start time for the regional meet at Apalachee Regional Park is yet to be determined
