Trojans Close Regular Season with Strong Showing at FHSU Tiger Open

HAYS, Kan. – The Colby Community College cross country teams closed out the regular season with a strong showing at the FHSU Tiger Open on Saturday (Oct. 11), posting multiple personal and season-best performances against a deep field of NCAA and NAIA programs. The No. 13-ranked Trojan men placed sixth overall in the 8K, while the women earned a 10th-place finish in the 5K.

Sophomore Japhet Kiprono once again led the charge for the men's squad, continuing his standout season with an 11th-place finish in 24:31.6, his fastest time of the year and one of the top NJCAA performances in the entire field. Just behind him, fellow sophomore Kenan Delestre delivered a breakout race, placing 16th overall with a personal-best 24:39.4. Together, Kiprono and Delestre gave the Trojans two top-20 finishers and solidified Colby's standing as one of the strongest junior college programs in attendance.

Behind the front-running pair, Enoha Reizabal-Bellanger continued his steady climb, crossing in 25:44.8 for 40th place, also setting a new personal record. Thomas Calas (26:41.6) and Vincent Kirui (26:51.3) rounded out the team's top five, both recording season-best times as Colby secured sixth overall in the team standings. Andrew Berger (27:08.8) and Dakotah Kotchuck (27:39.2) added depth with strong efforts, while Alexandre LeRoy (27:34.4) and Junior Edouard (29:51.6) contributed to one of the Trojans' most complete team performances of the fall.

On the women's side, sophomore Nadine McIntyre once again paced the Trojans with another impressive effort, finishing 28th overall in 18:58.4. The result also placed her fourth among KJCCC competitors in the field, continuing her rise as one of the top runners in the conference.

Freshman Laina Larson (22:16.4) and Shirley Cotant (22:38.0) added key scoring performances for the Trojans, while Kaylen McAtee (25:13.8), Antoinette Brungardt (25:34.3), and Blanca Gallegos (26:01.1) all turned in solid races to round out the team.

The meet served as a valuable final tune-up before postseason competition, with nearly every Trojan achieving a personal or season-best time. The teams now turn their attention to the upcoming Region VI Championships, which will be hosted by Colby Community College in just a couple weeks (Oct. 24). For more information about the championships, visit the Cross Country tab on our website.

Final Colby Men's Results

Men's 8k - 6th

11th – Japhet Kiprono – 24:31.6

16th – Kenan Delestre – 24:39.4

40th – Enoha Reizabal-Bellanger – 25:44.8

73rd – Thomas Calas - 26:41.6

76th – Vincent Kirui - 26:51.3

87th – Andrew Berger – 27:08.8

98th – Alexandre LeRoy – 27:34.4

100th – Dakotah Kotchuck – 27:39.2

198th – Junior Edouard – 29:51.6

Final Colby Women's Results

Women's 5k - 10th

28th – Nadine Mcintyre – 18:58.4

86th – Laina Larson – 22:16.43

89th – Shirley Cotant – 22:38.04

96th – Kaylen McAtee – 25:13.82

99th – Antoinette Brungardt – 25:34.29

100th – Blanca Gallegos – 26:01.18