Cougs Amir Ado and Neema Kimtai turn in All-Region Performances
SACRAMENTO, Calif.- The Washington State men's and women's cross country teams each had a runner post an all-region performance at the NCAA West Regional in Sacramento on Friday, Nov. 12, as junior Amir Ado finished 12th on the men's 10,000m race, while sophomore Neema Kimtai placed 18th in the women's 6,000m race.
MEN'S RACE
Leading the Cougar men on the day was junior Amir Ado, who recorded an all-region performance on the 10,000m course. Ado finished 13th overall with a time of 30:02.9. By finishing 13th overall, Ado posts the best finish for a WSU runner at the NCAA West Regional since John Whelan placed second in 2016 at the NCAA West Regionals. This is the second time in Ado's career he has earned all-region honors and the first Coug since Whelan to have multiple all-region performances in a career. This is also the third time this season Ado has finished inside the top-20.
The WSU men's team racked up 244 points to place seventh overall. Stanford won the men's West Regional with 61 points. Washington's Kieran Lumb placed first overall with a time of 29:28.5.
Four Cougs finished within seven seconds of each other to round out the team scoring for the Cougars at the NCAA West Regional. First was senior Felix Wammetsberger, who finished 54th overall with a time of 31:04.6. Nextt was freshman Kelvin Limo, who crossed the line in at 57th place, clocking in at 31:07.9. Right behind Limo was senior Zach Stallings, who finished with a time of 31:08.2 to earn 58th overall. Senior Matthew Watkins rounded out the top-five Cougs, clocking in at 31:11.2 to place 62nd overall.
WOMEN'S RACE
In the women's 6,000m race, sophomore Nemma Kimtai turned in an all-region performance on the day finishing 18th out of 237 collegiate runners. Kimtai finish is the highest overall finish by a Coug at the NCAA West Regionals since Ruby Roberts placed 15th overall in 2013. The Kenyan native recorded a season-best time of 20:25.5, 27-seconds faster than her previous best of 20:52.0 at the Bill Dellinger Invitational.
The WSU women's team placed 12th overall with 317 points out of 35 teams. Stanford won the women's West Regional with 42 points. The Cardinal's own Julia Heymach finished first overall with a time of 20:01.1.
The next Coug to cross the finish line was sophomore Alaina Stone Boggs at the 20:47.0 mark. Stone Boggs earned 37th overall with an average mile time of 5:34.4. Sophomore Caroline Jerotich followed Stone Boggs placing 48th with a time of 20:55.5. Rounding out the top-five cougars, senior Pia Richards finished 93rd with a 21:44.6 time and junior Zorana Grujic who crossed the line at 22:10.5 for 121st.
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