Cross Country Set to Open Season at Lobo Invitational

EL PASO – The UTEP cross country team is set to open the 2018 season at the Lobo Invitational in Albuquerque, N.M. on Saturday.

The Miners will take the course in the 5K at 9:50 a.m. MT in the collegiate men’s and women’s open.

The women’s team will feature three upperclassmen and two sophomores. Leading the way is junior Winny Koech, who garnered All-American honors as a sophomore. The distance runner registered a personal-best time of 19:53.7 in the 6K at the NCAA Championships. She also garnered a silver medal at the Conference USA Championships.

Helping boost the women’s team is senior Lilian Koech. The Kenyan native garnered All-C-USA first team honors last season. She notched a personal best of 17:13.4 at the 2018 Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational.

Also bringing experience to the group is Carolyne Chepkosgei, Linda Cheruiyot, Destiny White and Andrea Lucero.

The men’s side will feature eight Miners, seven of which are underclassmen. Antony Kosgei is the only senior on the UTEP men’s cross country team. Kosgei earned All-C-USA second team honors last season. He opened the 2017 season with three silver finishes.

Cornelius Kapel will also be competing for the Miners. The sophomore finished 20th overall at the 2017 C-USA Championships, earning All-C-USA third team recognition.