Cyclones compete in tough conference competition

Stephen Koenigsfeld

The men’s and women’s track and field teams traveled to Manhattan, Kan., this past weekend to compete in the Big 12 Championships.

In their strides to be crowned the top team in the Big 12, many athletes contributed to the Cyclones’ performance.

On the men’s side of the action, Edward Kemboi put on a show, kicking with 300-meters remaining in his event of the 800-meter run.

Kemboi sat in the back half of the pack while the leaders were finishing the first of two laps in just 50 seconds. With less than a lap left, Kemboi kicked into overdrive, and eliminated his foes one by one to win the event.

The biggest story on the women’s side was senior Kianna Elahi and teammate Ese Okoro finishing second and fourth in the 400-meter hurdles.

Elahi ran a personal best of 56.41, which is the fifth fastest time in the nation.

Coming off a successful meet at the Payton Jordan Invite, distance runner Dani Stack placed fourth in the 5,000-meter run.

The men finished ninth with 54 points and the women finished eighth with 58 points. The Cyclones will compete at their regional meet in Austin, Texas, May 24-26.