Chepkoech Strikes Again! Sun Devil Freshman Wins at UC Riverside Invite

By: Griffin Fabits

Riverside, Calif. – Judy Chepkoech strikes again!

In just her second collegiate appearance, the Sun Devil freshman won for the second consecutive meet, cruising to a win in the Women's 6k at Saturday's UC Riverside Invite at a remarkable 19:31.7, more than 25 seconds faster than runner-up Jessica Kampman (Azusa Pacific/19:56.8).

Full results

Chepkoech, who was named the Big 12 Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week in early September for her season-opening win in Flagstaff, never trailed in this race, as she held leads at both the 2k and 4k marks.

Evaline Chepkoech made a bid for a second-place finish, as she was the runner-up behind Judy Chepkoech at the 4k mark, but she couldn't close and settled for a 48th place finish at 20:59.0.

Lemerian Lemashon, making his collegiate debut for the Sun Devil Men, was the team's top finisher in the 8k, placing sixth overall at 23:40.9.

UC Riverside Invite Final Results 
Sept. 21, 2024
UCR – AGG Course (Riverside, CA)
Men's team Div. I Scores (8k)
1) CBU, 25
2) Utah State, 40
3) Cal Poly, 113
…
21) Mt. Sac, 528
22) ASU, 530
23) Central Arizona, 589

ASU Men's Individual Finishes 
6) Lemerian Lemashon, 23:40.9
132) Kristian Kimberlin, 25:07.9
156) Zach Albanese, 25:19.1
157) Rowdy Menefee, 25:19.1
164) Keene Sample, 25:24.8
195) Ryan Denhof, 25:48.8

Women's team Div. I Scores (6k)
1) Utah State, 67
2) Cal Poly, 123
3) CBU, 128
…
12) Salt Lake, 341
13) ASU, 348
14) Cal State Fullerton, 366

ASU Women's Individual Finishes 
1) Judy Chepkoech, 19:31.7
37) Mia Chavez, 20:49.7
48) Evaline Chepkoech, 20:59.0
106) Kate Miller, 21:42.9
197) Jordan Lee, 22:39.5
214) Ashley Tarasenko, 23.09.8

Up Next
Halfway through their regular season, the Sun Devils will make the short trip down south to Tucson next Saturday, Sept. 28, for the Dave Murray Invite hosted by the University of Arizona.

Remaining 2024 Schedule 
Dave Murray Invite, Sept. 28 (Tucson, Ariz.)
Arturo Barrios Invite, Oct. 18 (College Station, Texas)

Big 12 Championships, Nov. 1 (Waco, Texas)
NCAA West Regionals, Nov. 15 (Colfax, Wash.)
NCAA Championships, Nov. 23 (Madison, Wisc.)