The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
NCAA Championships
Kirui Caps Brilliant College Career At NCAA Championships
11/22/2010 | Track and Field
Nov. 22, 2010
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - The most decorated long distrance runner in Ole Miss history ran the final race of his career Monday at the NCAA Cross Country Championships.
It was not a fitting end to Barnabas Kirui's brilliant college tenure, though. The senior had been dealing with a back injury ever since he won his third Southeastern Conference Cross Country Championship, and after a strong start in Monday's race, he was forced to drop out because of his back pain.
"Like Barnabas, we were disappointed that his back would not allow him the finish to his career that he deserved," head coach Joe Walker said. "But this doesn't diminish the great career he's had and how well he has represented Ole Miss, both with his running and his academic and community contributions. We are proud of him!"
Oklahoma State won the NCAA men's cross country team title, while Liberty's Samuel Chelanga took home the individual crown.
Kirui had qualified for the championships by placing sixth at the NCAA South Regional, which earned him USTFCCCA All-South Region accolades. He was the 2010 SEC Cross Country Athlete of the Year after winning his third SEC Cross Country title.
The native Kenyan's list of career accomplishments is highlighted by three SEC cross country titles, an NCAA outdoor track and field title in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, four SEC track and field individual titles, two SEC Outdoor Runner of the Year awards and three SEC Cross Country Athlete of the Year awards. He is a two-time All-American and holds the majority of Ole Miss' record times for long-distance events. He has also been honored on the SEC Community Service team and on ESPN The Magazine's Academic All-America team during his career.
Kirui helped the Ole Miss men to one of the best seasons in school history this year. The Rebels' fifth-place finish at the SEC Championships was their best since 1996 and tied for the fourth-best in school history. Martin Kirui was named to the All-SEC second team and Kipchirchir Kiptoo earned SEC All-Freshman honors.
Next up for the Ole Miss track and field program is the start of the indoor season. The first meet is the Arkansas State Kickoff Klassic, Dec. 3 in Jonesboro, Ark.
