Wildcats Place Second in Women’s 6k at Gans Creek Classic
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Kentucky Wildcats cross country team competed in the eighth annual Gans Creek Classic today in Columbia, Mo., posting strong performances in both the men’s and women’s races.
The Wildcats placed second as a team in the women’s 6k gold division race, totaling 130 points, led by Ann Lemirisho and Doricah Minsari Isoe for the second consecutive meet. After finishing first and second in the 3-mile race at the Tennessee Invitational, the pair of Kentucky sophomores placed third and fourth today with times of 19:05.7 and 19:08.0, respectively.
Janet Jepkemboi Amimo featured as the third Wildcat to place inside the top 10, finishing eighth at 19:40.9. Lyric Olson (40th), Madelyn McCartney (81st) and Lily Parke (159th) would round out the UK scorecard.
In the men’s 8k race, the Wildcats finished 12th with 311 total points, led by Collins Kiprop Kipngok finishing in seventh and Ed Bird in 11th. Eyan Turk (62nd), Lincoln Herald (118th) and Sami Hattab (125th) rounded out the point-scorers for Kentucky.
“Our women had a great day together and took a meaningful step forward for our program,” Coach Tito Medrano said following the event. “Ann, Doricah and Janet all finished in the top ten, running smart and working together up front. Lyric took what I think was the biggest step of her cross country career so far, and freshman Mady McCartney executed her race plan perfectly to close out our scoring five. I’m proud of how they competed as a team, especially against several of our SEC rivals.”
“Ed and Collins competed well up front today. Both ran substantially faster than they ever have on this course, and they’ve raced here several times. We know fitness is in a good place for this point in the season. Eyan Turk also did a nice job moving through the field. Our men are still developing depth, and we look forward to the work ahead as we prepare for championship season.”
The Wildcats will have two weeks off before their next meet on Friday, Oct. 16 in Terre Haute, Ind. at the Pre-National Invitational in the 2026 regular season finale.
Gans Creek Classic Results:
Women’s 6k Gold: 2nd, 130 points
3. Ann Lemirisho – 19:05.7 (3 pts)
4. Doricah Minsari Isoe – 19:08.0 (4 pts)
8. Janet Jepkemboi Amimo – 19:40.9 (8 pts)
40. Lyric Olson – 20:32.1 (39 pts)
81. Madelyn McCartney – 21:05.6 (76 pts)
159. Lily Parke – 21:43.6
Men’s 8k Gold: 12th, 311 points
7. Collins Kiprop Kipngok – 22:50.0 (7 pts)
11. Ed Bird – 22:58.5 (11 pts)
62. Eyan Turk – 23:57.2 (61 pts)
118. Lincoln Herald – 24:27.6 (113 pts)
125. Sami Hattab – 24:32.4 (119 pts)
168. Aidan Norris – 24:57.3
183. JT Hayes Jr. – 25:03.9
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