With the win, Chebet becomes the first Hilltopper runner since Nicholas Aliwell in 1998 to notch multiple victories in one season. Since at least 2004, no runner had won a meet outside of WKU's home course Kereiakes Park. Chebet has now won at Nashville's Percy Warner Park and Louisville's Tom Sawyer Park.
In four 2012 competitions, Chebet has captured crowns in both Pre-Nationals and the Commodore Classic, as well as finishing runner up at the Belmont Opener and 10th in the Greater Louisville Classic.
Chebet has performed well at Tom Sawyer Park, the host site of the NCAA Cross Country Championships on Nov. 17, in WKU's two races there this season. He set his 8K personal record at 24:04 in the Greater Louisville Classic and lowered that mark by seven more seconds this morning.
"It felt good," said Chebet of his run. "It gives me confidence heading into the postseason."
As a team the Hilltoppers finished 19th out of24 teams in a field that included No.20 Eastern Kentucky and No.27 Indiana. The Hoosiers and Colonels finished first and second overall, respectively.
Sophomore David Mokone crossed the finish line second for the Hilltoppers for the fourth time this season, clocking a 25:11 to place 51st. Hampered by a hamstring issue the past few weeks, senior Kyle Chettleburgh made his season debut for WKU on Saturday. The 2011 all- Sun Belt Conference runner finished third for the Hilltoppers and 179th overall.
"Obviously I'm very pleased with the way Joseph (Chebet) performed today but I'm also happy with how our guys came out and competed," said head coach Erik Jenkins. "I'm excited to see what they can do in two weeks."
WKU plays host to the Sun Belt Conference Cross Country Championships for the third straight year on Oct. 27. The Hilltoppers will seek their second straight cross country title and their fifth consecutive overall conference championship (Cross Country, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field).
Men's Black 8K
1.Joseph Chebet 23:56.7
51. David Mokone 25:11.1
179. Kyle Chettleburgh 26:31.1
247. Aaron Stevens 27:39.2
250. Sean Hurd 27:46.8
262. Lucas Somers 28:23.8
277. Jeff Walker 30.03.3
