The University of Mississippi Athletics
Kirui Races To National Title At NCAA Outdoor Championships
6/8/2007 | Track and Field
SACREMENTO,
Kirui ran in a pack of three runners for most of the early race before pulling away from the field to finish in a time of 8:20.36. His next closest competitor was Andrew Lemoncello, of
“Barnabas excited the plan to perfection,” said Ole Miss head coach Joe Walker. “We had planned for him to make a move with about three laps to go and see if anybody would follow. He made his kick and nobody was able to respond. Coach (Doug) Blackwell and Coach (Ng’anga’) Ngata have done such a great job coaching him.”
Kirui, a four-time SEC champion, is the sixth Rebel to win a national title and his victory is the tenth national championship in school history. He earned 10 team points for the Ole Miss men with his victory.
Junior John Yarbrough earned All-America honors with his second place finish in the 110-meter hurdles. Yarbrough finished in a time of 13.57 just behind
“John (Yarbrough) just had a bad start,” said
It was the third All-America honor for Yarbrough, who also earned the honor at last year’s NCAA Outdoor Championships and in the 60-meter hurdles at this year’s NCAA Indoor Championships. Yarbrough earned Ole Miss eight team points for his runner-up finish.
Junior Kenyata Coleman advanced to Saturday’s finals in the 400 with a time of 52.30 in the semifinals. Coleman broke her own school record in the 400 meters in Wednesday’s prelims with a time of 52.19.
With Kirui and Yarbrough’s performances the Ole Miss men sit in fifth place in the team standing with 18 points heading into the final day. The Ole Miss women are in 12th place with eight points heading into Saturday.
Competition at the 2007 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships concludes on Saturday.