EMPORIA, KAN. – Sophomore Julius Kosgei became the second Harding athlete in the last three years to win the 10,000 meter national championship Thursday. Kosgei won the final race of the first day of competition at the 2006 NCAA II Outdoor Track and Field National Championships.
A native of Kapsabet, Kenya, Kosgei crossed the tape in 30:01.63, just under two seconds ahead of senior Mario Macias of Adams State.
In 2004, Kosgei’s fellow countryman Jacob Rotich won the 10,000 meters at the national meet. Rotich was Harding’s first national champion since the school joined the NCAA in 1998.
With the victory, Kosgei earned his second outdoor All-America honor and his fourth overall. He will look for the fifth beginning Friday with his preliminary race in the 5000 meters.
Also victorious Thursday for the Bisons was junior Przemek Bobrowski, who won his heat in the 1500 meters in 3:56.60. He will run in the finals Saturday at 6 p.m.
Senior Reed Fisher ran his final race for Harding on Thursday. Fisher placed ninth in his heat in the 3000-meter steeplechase and failed to qualify for the finals.
Sophomore Artur Kern will join Kosgei in Friday’s 5000 meter preliminary race.
