Wildcats Place Second and Third in Season Opener at Tennessee Invitational
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Kentucky Wildcats cross country team kicked off the 2026 fall season on Friday in Knoxville, Tenn. at the Tennessee Invitational at the UT XC Course at Cherokee Farm.
The Wildcats finished third with a total of 48 points in the men’s 4-mile race, led by Collins Kiprop Kipngok’s second-place finish and a time of 19:14.45. Senior Ed Bird followed closely behind in third place with a time of 19:16.14. Lincoln Herald, JT Hayes Jr. and Eyan Turk rounded out the top five finishers for the Wildcats.
On the women’s side, Kentucky placed second with 40 total points in the 3-mile race. Ann Lemirisho and Doricah Minsari Isoe crossed the finish line atop the leaderboard with times of 15:54.7 and 15:56.8, respectively. Lyric Olson, Madelyn McCartney and Addyson Leigh Abner featured as the final three point-scorers for the Wildcats.
“We saw a lot of positives today, along with a few areas we will improve over the next eight weeks,” Coach Tito Medrano said. “Ann Lemirisho did an outstanding job, finishing alongside her teammate Doricah Isoe as they went 1–2 and helped our women nearly win the meet. Collins Kipngok and Ed Bird led much of the men’s race and finished close behind an All-American cross country runner. Overall, our men’s squad will continue to develop as we build toward the championship season.”
Next up for the Wildcats will be their first of two trips to Columbia, Mo. this season for the annual Cans Creek Classic on Sept. 25.
Tennessee Invitational Results
Men’s 4-Mile (3rd, 48 pts):
2. Collins Kiprop Kipngok – 19:14.45 (2 pts)
3. Ed Bird – 19:16.14 (3 pts)
13. Lincoln Herald 19:58.21 (13 pts)
14. JT Hayes Jr. – 20:03.49 (14 pts)
16. Eyan Turk – 20:11.75 (16 pts)
17. Caden Miracle – 20:22.13
18. Sami Hattab – 20:30.14
21. Aidan Norris – 20:49.85
Women’s 3-Mile (2nd, 40 pts):
1. Ann Lemirisho – 15:54.7 (1 pt)
2. Doricah Minsari Isoe – 15:56.8 (2 pts)
9. Lyric Olson – 17:12.9 (9 pts)
12. Madelyn McCartney – 17:27.0 (12 pts)
16. Addyson Leigh Abner – 17:47.1 (16 pts)
17. Lily Parke – 18:05.8
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