Freshman Matro Jepkemboi arrived at cross country practice Tuesday like she had all semester. She went through her routine, spoke with head coach John Sauerhage, and prepared for this weekend’s meet.
But this weekend’s meet is anything but ordinary. It’s the NCAA Championships in Charlottesville, Virginia, and Jepkemoi is only the fourth female athlete in program history to advance to this stage.
She reached the national championships after her record-setting performance last weekend in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Jepkemboi ran a 20:15.8 6k, which placed her third in the regional competition — the highest finish for any athlete at a regional meet in program history.