RECAP: SFA Defends Both Championship Titles as the Lumberjacks Record the Best Mark in SLC History

Friday, October 30

Lake Charles, LA

8:30 a.m.

Stephen F. Austin

Southland Conference Championships

Results

SFA MXC and WXC Win Second Straight SLC Championship

Photo by: Amanda Paver

10/30/2026 4:41:00 PM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country

By: Amanda Paver, Assistant Director of Communications

LAKE CHARLES, La.- Stephen F. Austin finished first in the 12-team 6K race with 32 points, led by Mercy Kipchumba's runner-up finish in 19:59.7. SFA posted a total time of 1:42:30, a 20:30 average and a 1:02.6 spread.

Mercy Kipchumba led SFA in second place with a time of 19:59.7, followed by Valentine Jemutai in third at 19:59.9. Evaline Chepkoech placed sixth in 20:38.1, Sharon Omwoyo finished eighth with a PR of 20:49.6 and Abbigail Hutchinson completed SFA's scoring group in 13th at 21:02.3.

TEAM RESULTS (6K)
1. SFA - 32 points

SFA RESULTS (6K)
2. Kipchumba (JR) - 19:59.7, 2 points
3. Jemutai (JR) - 19:59.9, 3 points
6. Chepkoech (JR) - 20:38.1, 6 points
8. Omwoyo (JR) - 20:49.6, 8 points
13. Hutchinson (JR) - 21:02.3, 13 points
17. Miranda Duran (SO) - 21:08.2
18. Trude Lamb (JR) - 21:16.9
28. Leila Farda (SO) - 22:03.3
44. Celeste Cantu (FR) - 22:37.6
63. McKayla Kohutek (FR) - 23:32.0

MEET NOTES
- The Ladyjacks' team total of 32 points was the best mark at a conference meet since 2014, when Lamar collected first place with a stellar 20-point performance.
- The women of SFA picked up their second consecutive SLC team title.
- Newcomer of the Year: Chepkoech, SFA; Coach of the Year: Robert Hansen, SFA
- First-Team All-Conference: Kipchumba, SFA; Jemutai, SFA
- Second-Team All-Conference: Chepkoech, SFA; Boyani Omwoyo, SFA

On the men's side, SFA placed first out of 12 teams in the 8K race with 16 points, led by Eliud Kipkosgei's first-place finish in 23:31.4. The team posted a 1:58:08 team total, a 23:38 average and a 0:17.3 spread. The scoring order was 1-2-3-4-6.

Eliud Kipkosgei led SFA in first place at 23:31.4, followed by Paul Kiprotich in second at 23:34.1, Ryan Binskin in third at 23:35.0 and Lathan Lewter in fourth at 23:38.2. Saad Rifi Loutfi completed the scoring group in sixth at 23:48.6.

TEAM RESULTS (8K)
1. Stephen F. Austin - 16 points

SFA RESULTS (8K)
1. Kipkosgei (FR) - 23:31.4, 1 point
2. Kiprotich (SO) - 23:34.1, 2 points
3. Binskin (JR) - 23:35.0, 3 points
4. Lewter (SO) - 23:38.2, 4 points
6. Saad Rifi Loutfi (JR) - 23:48.6, 6 points
15. Sam Golla (SO) - 24:28.3
16. Said Rifi Loutfi (JR) - 24:28.8
18. Japhet Kemei (SO) - 24:32.4
22. Pablo Lesarri (JR) - 24:53.3
46. Devon Judelson (JR) - 25:52.7

MEET NOTES
- SFA freshman Kipkosgei took home the individual title
- The Jacks have had three different race winners in the last three seasons.
- SFA's team total of 16 was the best mark in SLC history.
- Athlete of the Year: Kipkosgei, SFA Freshman of the Year: Kipkosgei, SFA Newcomer of the Year: Saad Rifi Loufti, SFA Coach of the Year: Robert Hansen, SFA
- First-Team All-Conference Kipkosgei, SFA Kiprotich, SFA Binskin, SFA Lewter, SFA
- Second-Team All-Conference Saad Rifi Loutfi, SFA

NEXT UP
SFA will head to College Station for the NCAA Division I South Central Regional Cross Country Championships on Friday, November 13.