JEPCHIRCHIR RECORD RUN NETS KJCCC RUNNER OF THE WEEK HONOR

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

After 40 years of no sub-18 minute times in Hutchinson Community College women's cross country history, Blue Dragon freshman Faith Jepchirchir was the first of three to break that barrier on Saturday in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Jepchirchir broke Hutchinson's 5,000-meter women's cross country record and placed in the Top 25 in a power-packed field at the Arkansas Chili Pepper Festival. The Blue Dragon freshman from Kenya earned KJCCC Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week honors for the second time this season.

Jepchirchir was the top Blue Dragon runner on Saturday running against the top runners in the nation, including runners at the NCAA Division I level. Jepchirchir posted a 5,000-meter time of 17:08.1. Jepchirchir placed 21st in the Chili Pepper and shattered the old Blue Dragon 5,K record by 1 minute and 4 seconds.

She was one of three Blue Dragon runners to run sub-18 minutes on Saturday. Jepchirchir has one event win this season. Lilian Mateo Torrez ran a 17:31.9 and sophomore Jordyn Picolet posted a time of 17:53.1.