Wildcats roll to ACU Classic win

Manirakiza leads sweep of top five as ACU wins meet

ABILENE -- ACU sophomore Bernard Manirakiza repeated as the individual champion Friday, leading a Wildcat sweep of the top five as the nation's second-ranked team rolled to the team win at the ACU Cross Country Classic.

Manirakiza covered the four-mile course in 20 minutes, 50.79 seconds, more than 30 seconds better than his winning time last year.

Defending Lone Star Conference and South Central region champion John Kemboi finished second at 20:51.01, followed by Arthemon Sindayigaya (20:53.72), Alfred Rugema (20:55.07) and Martin O'Kello (21:00.43). Nick Branen was seventh at 21:21.06, and Justin Thompson was 17th in 23:28.98.

The Wildcats scored 15 points to easily win the team championship over second-place Northwood, which scored 68 points, and third-place South Plains College, which checked in with 72 points.

The Wildcats will return to action Saturday at the Missouri Southern Stampede in Joplin, Mo.