ANGELO, Texas - Harding University sophomore Daniel Kirwa made it 2-for-2 on Saturday, winning his second national championship of the weekend. Kirwa won the 5,000 meters Saturday at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships just two days after taking the title in the 10,000 meters Thursday.
Kirwa, a native of Eldoret, Kenya, won the 5,000 meters with a time of 14 minutes, 17.45 seconds. It was his fourth career national championship and his first in the 5,000 meters after finishing second as a freshman. He also has two outdoor 10,000-meter titles and an indoor mile crown.
Tyler Pennel of Western State was second Saturday in the 5,000 meters in 14:20.99 and Brian Medigovich of Adams State (14:22.43) was third.
Kirwa edged out Medigovich on Thursday by just over two-and-a-half seconds, winning the 10,000 meters in 29 minutes, 46.84 seconds. Last season, Kirwa won in 29:14.74. He now has eight track All-America honors to his credit in just two seasons.
Kirwa's two victories gave Harding 20 points in the team standings, good enough for 13th place overall.
In other events, Bison freshman Philip Biwott placed 10th in the finals of the 3,000-meter steeplechase, clocking a time of 9:21.11. Reuben Chebon-Mwei of Adams State won in 8:47.10.
Two Lady Bisons competed in the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase Thursday, but neither advanced to the finals. Junior Esther Komen placed seventh in her heat in 11:29.01, and junior Katy Grant was eighth in 11:34.60.