02 Oct 2024 Meli named GAC Cross Country Runner of the Week

RUSSELLVILLE – The Great American Conference announced the men’s and women’s cross country runners of the week for the fourth week of the 2024 season. 

Harding’s Josphat Meli earned the men’s award and Oklahoma Baptist’s Sophia Strange claimed the women’s honor.

#theGAC MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY RUNNER OF THE WEEK – Josphat Meli, Fr., Harding, Eldoret, Kenya

Meli ran the fastest 8K time for a men’s runner in GAC history when he registered a time of 23:33.4 at the Chile Pepper XC Festival. He finished fourth overall and placed behind only three Division I competitors. He placed 11 seconds clear of the closest Division II runner. He broke the GAC record of 23:42.3, set by ECU’s Aspel Kiprob at the 2023 DBU Old Glory Gallop.

#theGAC WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY RUNNER OF THE WEEK – Sophia Strange, Sr., Oklahoma Baptist, Houston, Texas

Strange became the second woman in GAC history to break the 17-minute barrier in a 5K race when he crossed the finish line in 16:59.3 at the Chile Pepper XC Festival. She finished 13th overall, third amongst Division II runners. Harding’s Ewa Zaborowska broke the 17-minute mark twice in 2015. The Bison finished fifth amongst the 12 Division II schools.

OTHERS NOMINATED

Christian Franklin, Jr. (Northwestern Oklahoma State), Amos Pkiach, Sr. (East Central), Maxamillian Wheeler, Sr. (Oklahoma Baptist)

Audrey Hill, Jr. (Arkansas Tech), Jamaira Ross, Sr. (Northwestern Oklahoma State)

A three-person committee selects all GAC Athlete of the Week awards.