Kosgei Wins 5,000 Meters at Big 12 Championships

Friday, February 27

College Station, Texas

10:00 AM

Oklahoma State University

Big 12 Indoor Championships

February 28, 2009 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track

COLLEGE STATION, Texas Â– The Oklahoma State men's track and field team ran well on the first day of the Big 12 Indoor Track and Field Championships, highlighted by John Kosgei's individual title in the 5,000-meter run.

Kosgei finished the event in 14:10.18, edging Iowa State's Guor Marial by less than one second.

“I was anticipating today's race as I was going for a win,” Kosgei said. “The momentum from this win will help me remain excited and confident going into nationals. I am expecting good things to come.”

Several other Cowboys ran well in the event, as the Cowboys recorded 17 team points and four top-10 finishers.

Colby Lowe tacked on five team points to Kosgei's 10 with a fourth-place finish, while David Chirchir came in seventh to add two. Daniel Watts just missed scoring, finishing 10th.

Three Cowboys ran in the preliminary heat of the one-mile run, including junior world record holder German Fernandez, who finished in first place with a time of 4:06.29. The one mile final is scheduled for 3:55 p.m. on Saturday.

The distance medley relay team also scored for Oklahoma State, finishing seventh with a time of 9:55.86.

The mark added two team points to bring the Cowboys to a total of 19, placing them sixth after day one.

Oklahoma State returns to action on Saturday for day two of the Big 12 Indoor Track and Field Championships. The day's competition is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. and conclude at 7:30 p.m. with the awards ceremony.

2009 Big 12 Indoor Championships (Day One)

One-Mile Run (Prelim)

1 German Fernandez 4:06.29

11 Johnathan Stublaski 4:20.75

13 Brian Gosnell 4:22.21

1,000-Meter Run (Prelim)

15 Brad McNiff 2:33.21

5,000-Meter Run (Final)

1 John Kosgei 14:10.18 (10 pts)

4 Colby Lowe 14:16.86 (5 pts)

7 David Chirchir 14:19.66 (2 pts)

10 Daniel Watts 14:25.59