Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
Big 12 Outdoor Championships
Kosgei Wins 10,000 Meter Big 12 Title
May 14, 2010 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track
May 14, 2010
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Oklahoma State senior John Kosgei captured the Big 12 title in the 10,000 meters Friday with a 29:24.21 in the first men's final of the 2010 Big 12 Championships.
Kosgei crossed the line less than a second ahead of Colorado's Kenyon Neuman to win the title and broke the Walton Track record of 29:29.53 in the process. The Eldoret, Kenya, native narrowly missed out on the Big 12 meet record of 29:23.67.
“I'm really happy for him,” Cowboy coach Dave Smith said. “He ran a great race. It was an amazing finish. “
For Kosgei, it marked the first time he has competed at the Big 12 Outdoor Championships in his OSU career. He missed last year's championships with an injury, but did win the 5,000 meter crown at the 2009 Big 12 Indoor Championships.
“Going in to the meet, we hoped he could win it,” Smith said. “It was probably the deepest field in the 10,000 meters the Big 12 Championships has ever had. There were several All-Americans in that race.”
It was also the first time Kosgei had competed in the 10,000 meters for track as a Cowboy. He finished 11th at the 2009 NCAA Cross Country Championships, a 10,000-meter event.
“That was my best time ever, I'm very proud of it,” Kosgei said. “I've been running the 5,000 and today, I went for the 10,000. I just went with the flow and competed for the title.”
Kosgei returns to action at the Big 12 Championships on Sunday in the 5,000 meters. He holds the fastest 5,000 meter time in the Big 12 for 2010.
“The 5,000 meter is my better race and I will compete in that on Sunday,” Kosgei said. “I didn't extent myself today because I was saving something for Sunday.”
With two field events still to be scored later Friday afternoon, the Cowboys are in second place with Kosgei's 10 team points. Colorado is in first place after grabbing 18 points in the 10,000 meters.
The Cowboys look to put themselves in position to score more points starting Saturday afternoon in the 1,500 meter prelims with Raul Botezan, Tom Farrell and Johnathan Stublaski headlining the Cowboy entrants.
Big 12 Championships – OSU Results
10,000 Meter Run
1 John Kosgei 29:24.21 (10 team points)
22 Ryan Little 31:48.80
23 Daniel Watts 31:59.59
25 Peter Wood 32:33.73
-- Joseph Manilafasha DNF
Team Standings Through One Event (two field events to be scored Friday afternoon)
1 Colorado 18 points
2 Oklahoma State 10 points
3 Iowa State 6 points
4 Oklahoma 5 points
