SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Alabama graduate Vincent Kiprop took home the Joe Piane Notre Dame individual crown Friday afternoon at the Burke Golf Course, finishing first overall with a mark of 23:09.88 in the men's Blue Division 5-mile. Fellow graduate Gilbert Kigen (23:13.70) crossed the line almost immediately after Kiprop as the Crimson Tide went 1-2 in the 5-mile event.

Sophomore Mercy Chelangat was the Crimson Tide's highest finisher on the women's side as she placed 35th individually in the 5k at 16:56.85. As a team, Alabama women finished 14th pulling an upset over nationally ranked No. 16 Iowa State (15th place), while the men placed 16th in one of the deepest men's fields the sport has seen this year.

Take a look at the TOP finishers in the Men's Blue Division 5 Mile at the Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational.



?? Vincent Kiprop 23:09.88

?? Gilbert Kigen 23:13.70#RollTide pic.twitter.com/OWq6ma3jnQ — Alabama Track & Field (@AlabamaTrack) October 4, 2019

Leading the Lineup for the Men

Although a 5-mile is not the most common distance for a men's cross country race, it's worth noting that the last time out at the Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational (Sept. 29, 2017), roles were reversed with Kigen (23:23.7) crossing the finish line first and Kiprop (23:24.2) following in second place overall.

Friday's meet marked new all-time Alabama bests and career-bests for both Kiprop and Kigen.

Kiprop posted a personal-best by 15 seconds and Kigen notched a 10 second PR.

In his first race in the Crimson uniform, graduate Brad Cheek finished 138 th (25:16.57).

finished 138 (25:16.57). The next group ran as a unit and finished over a span of 37 seconds. Senior J.P. Brinyark led the pack placing 156th with a 26:02.41 performance, then freshmen Jacob Wiggers (160th) and Jalen Murray (161st) and sophomore Elliot Gindi (162nd) rounded out the group.

Leading the Lineup for the Women

In a 24-team field with 10 nationally ranked squads, the Crimson Tide posted three top-70 finishes.

Six Alabama athletes in uniform ran personal-best times Friday. Seniors Haley Wright (106th, 17:47.20) and Rebecca Buteau (54th, 17:08.71), along with sophomore Lauren Brackin (136th, 18:05.04), freshmen Jami Reed (147th, 18:14.63), Amaris Tyynismaa (123rd, 17:57.99) and Allison Wilson (69th, 17:17.52) each clocked their fastest collegiate 5k's as well.

Sophomore Mercy Chelangat is the top-finisher for Alabama women, placing 35th with a time of 16:56.85.



???????#RollTide pic.twitter.com/XehJrL0wtz — Alabama Track & Field (@AlabamaTrack) October 4, 2019

Men's Individual Results

Women's Individual Results

Up Next

After returning from Notre Dame, the Crimson Tide women will turn its attention to the Pre-National Invitational in Terre Haute, Ind., while the men's squad will prepare for the Princeton Invitational in Princeton, N.J., both of which will be held Saturday, Oct. 19.

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