Wilbourn Kosgei and Transese Boston lead Royals at FSC/Region XIV competition
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Royals’ men cross-country team ran to a fourth place finish on Saturday, November 03, scoring an 80, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University won the competition with a score of 26 on the 8k course.
Wilbourn Kosgei led the Royals, making a second place finish at 26:23; Kosgei’s second place finish qualified him for the All FSC & All Region XIV team, which is given to the top 10 runners for the All-Region team and the top seven for the All-FSC team. Kosgei’s time also qualified him for the NAIA Cross-Country Nationals in Kenosha, Wis. Webber International University’s Austin Richmond came in first place with a time of 25:34.
Cornelius Rotich also qualified for Nationals in Wisconsin landing in 15th place with a time of 28:56. Alston Troy was the next Royal to cross the finish line with a time of 31:47 to finish in 24th place; the remaining Royal runners came in the next four places, with Jeremy Harris at 32:00, Chris River at 32:11, Christopher Moon at 32:41 and Gavin Valentine at 33:57.
The women’s cross-country team ran to a third place finish scoring a 72, Embry-Riddle also won the women’s competition with a score of 22 on the 5k course.
Transese Boston led the Royals placing eight with a 21:08 time; her time also landed her on the All Region XIV team and qualified her for Nationals. Senior Tabitha Knauer followed with an 11th place finish with a time of 21:31. Knauer’s time also qualifies her for Nationals, making her the first in Warner University Cross Country history to become a four time National Qualifier.
Merisa Knauer followed with a 22:03 time to land in 14th place, Rhonda Rininger was 18th at 22:31, Yosmilia Pinerez was 29th at 25:43, April Girard was 32nd at 26:09, and Arlicia Adkins closed it out for the Royals’ runners with a 39th place finish at 27:59.
The National qualifiers will return to action for the NAIA Cross Country Nationals in Kenosha, Wis. on Nov. 17.
10.15.07
Wilbourn Kosgei placed second in Stetson’s University Hatter Invitational; women placed 11th. DELAND, Fla. – The Warner Southern cross-country program found their stride over the weekend and have closed out the regular season strong. Both teams competed at the Stetson Hatter Invitational with the men finishing in eight place and the women placing eleventh. The University of Central Florida and Xavier University (OH) won the meet for the men and women respectively. Ben Milroy from Xavier and Paola Reategui from Florida International University won the individual meet for the men and women respectively.
Wilbourn Kosgei continued to lead the men’s team for a third straight event, he had his best outing all season placing second overall out of 138 runners with a time 26:10; Kosgei improved on his time at this event from last year. Cornelius Rotich placed 53rd with a time of 29:12 giving him his second best time of his career. Alexander Russell placed 79th with a time of 30:54 also improving on his time at this event from last year shaving off 40 seconds from his time last year. Christopher Rivera quickly followed Russell placing 80th with a time of 30:55 improving on his season best time by one minute. Gavin Valentine placed 101st with a time of 33:13, and Jeremy Harris closed it out for the Royals placing 109th with a time of 34:08.
Sophomore Tranese Boston led the women’s team running her personal best time of 30:34 that landed her in 40th place. Merisa Knauer improved her time on this course by 30 seconds with a time of 21:16 to land in 57th place. Team captain Tabitha Knauer fell ill during the meet but she did not let that stop her from finishing the race she was able to come in 86th place with a time of 22:09. Rhonda Rininger quickly followed placing 88th with a time of 22:13, for her second best time of the season. April Girard placed 119th with a time of 24:18 and Yosmila Pinerez rounded it out for the women placing 123rd with a time of 24:51.
Overall it was a great showing for both programs as they faced very tough competition, they were one of two NAIA teams in the completion, the rest of the field was predominantly made up of NCAA D-I and D-II teams. The Stetson University course is known as a tough course to run but the Royals proved they were up for the challenge. The Royals have three weeks to practice and get ready for the Region XIV/Florida Sun Conference Cross Country Championship on November 3 in Daytona Beach, Fla.
10.10.07
WSC’s men cross country finished 18th and women finished 27th at Walt Disney World’s Cross Country Classic
Lake Buena Vista, Fla. – The Warner Southern men’s and women’s cross country teams continued to show improvement this past weekend, as they placed 18th and 27th respectively at the highly competitive Walt Disney World Cross Country Classic. The Royals saw tough competition at the event as the majority of the teams that competed were from the NCAA D-D-II level and I. South Dakota State won the event for the men and University of Tampa won for the women. Nicolas Kering from Chattahoochee Tech and Laura Woznicki from University of Tampa won the individual events.
Wilborn Kosgei led the Royals for the second event in a row as he placed tenth out of 327 runners with a time of 25:57 in the 8k run. Cornelius Rotich placed 106th with a time of 28:11, Ahmad Rutherford placed 130th with a time of 28:36, Alex Russell placed 174th with a time of 29:43, Jeremy Harris placed 218th with a time of 31:01, Chris Rivera placed 237th with a time of 31:33 and Alston Troy quickly followed placing 238th with a time of 31:34. Gavin Valentine closed out for the Royals placing 263rd with a time of 33:18.
Arlicia Adkins led the women in the 5k event by placing 113th out of 366 runners with a time of 20:28. Merissa Knauer placed 164th with a time of 21:15, Tabitha Knauer placed 192nd with a time of 21:44, Rhonda Rininger placed 200th with a time of 21:52, Tranese Boston placed 260th with a time of 23:09, April Girard placed 287th with a time of 23:51, Yosmilia Pinerz placed 318th with a time of 25:08 and Lauren Kisner closed out the event for the Royals placing 335th with a time of 26:03.
Both teams are ranked third in the Region XIV cross-country polls and will return to action on October 13 at the Stetson Hatter Invitational in Deland, Fla. at 4 p.m.
09.24.07
Royals’ men and women cross country teams improve at 2007 ERAU/Smoothie King Classic
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Warner Southern’s men and women cross country team competed on Saturday, Sept. 22 at the Smoothie King Classic hosted by FSC opponent Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Both teams had their best showing so far for the season; the men improved tremendously within one week going from a DNQ to placing fifth this week with 157 total points. The women continue to progess over the season as they placed third with 106 total points. The Eagles’ men and women each took home the team title for the event.
Wilbourn Kosgei led the men in the 8k Run by placing fifth with a time of 27:51. Cornelius Rotich placed 24th with a time of 30:02, Alexander Russell placed 42nd with a time of 31:08, Troy Alston placed 61st with a time of 32:43, Jeremy Harris placed 73rd with a time of 33:51, Christopher Rivera placed 81st with a time of 34:56, Gavin Valentine placed 87th with a time of 36:12 and Amari Dale rounded out all Royals’ men runners placing 95th with a time of 38:06.
For the first time this season the women’s team saw a new lead runner with Tabitha Knauer leading the Royals placing 13th with a time of 22:05. Tranese Boston placed 21st with a time of 22:31, Arilicia Adkins quickly followed placing 23rd with a time of 22:41. Merissa Knauer placed 32nd with a time of 23:01, Rhonda Rininger placed 42nd with a time of 23:20, April Girard placed 66th with a time of 26:14 and Qualonda Whitfield closed it out for the Royals’ women runners placing 70th with a time of 26:30.
The Royals return to action on October 6 at the Walt Disney World Cross Country Classic in Orlando, Fla.
09.10.07
Men's Cross Country
Warner Southern men’s cross country finished 16th at Mountain Dew Gator Invitational
Gainesville, Fla. – Warner University finished 16th with 434 total points and freshman Cornelius Rotich was the Royals’ top runner placing 102nd with a time of 29:18.88 at the University of Florida Mountain Dew Invitational on Friday September 7. Invitational host University of Florida won the team event with Enoch Nadler from Florida winning the individual race.
Sophomore Wilbourn Kosgei placed 126th with a time of 30:51.79, Alex Russell placed 137th with a time of 31:30.64, sophomore Troy Alston placed 144th with a time of 32:12.70 and Gavin Valentine closed it out for the Royals’ scorers by finishing 153rd with a time of 34:22.01.
This initial competition showed the team that with more than 10 hard weeks of practice, the Royals would be in shape for Regionals, November 3 at Embry-Riddle. The competition at the invitational was stiff with the Royals being one of only three NAIA teams in the competition; the meet included several NCAA Division I and Division II schools
The Royals will see action again on Friday, September 14 at the University of Tampa Early Bird Classic in Brandon, Fla.; the race begins at 6 p.m.
05.22.07 men's Crosscountry Gonzalez and Wade Named New Coaching Staff
LAKE WALES, FL - Shawn Gary announced that Empertriz Gonzalez-Henao and Wade Taylor are taking over as the new coaching staff for the Warner University Cross Country and Track & Field teams. Gonzalez-Henao is the Head Program Director, while Taylor will be the Head Throwing Coach for both the Men's and Women's Track & Field programs.
Florida Sun Conference Championships
2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
NAIA Region XIV Championships
2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
2006 MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY TEAM ANNOUNCED
Coach Larios, entering his 6th season as head coach of the WSC cross country and track & field teams, has announced his men’s and women’s squad for this year’s team. With a mixture of local and foreign talent, Coach Larios is not real certain as to his expectations. “There is no telling what this group of men and women are capable of. On paper, teams often look better than in real life; we will just have to wait and see how the team chemistry pans out and their willingness to train.”
Team chemistry is very important to Coach Larios, and it will begin with their first day together in Tennessee during their team camp.
“I think if the right men and women step up and take the leadership reigns, then we could be looking at another special year.” By special, Coach Larios is eluding to the 11 Florida Sun Conference titles the Royals have garnered in its short history, seven in the past five years. “Our teams have won a few titles in as many years; so, we have to see if that means anything to them. Winning conference titles and not doing well at the national meet gets old real quick. Embry Riddle and SCAD have made the conference championship an interesting chase, which is to be expected. I am certain our conference teams are all working just as hard to raise our level of competition at the national championship. Another one of our goals this year is to continue raising our team’s grade point average, which has been a steady increase for the past five consecutive years.”
The NAIA Region XIV/ Florida Sun Conference championship will be hosted by Webber International University on November 4th, with Embry Riddle University defending its 2005 men’s team championship, as will Savannah College of Art & Design defending their women’s title.
Meet your 2006 Men’s Cross Country Team:
Coach Larios is expecting huge leadership from this year’s returning nucleus, starting with co-captains Robert Ferguson (Sr), Jose Martinez (redshirt Sr), and Kevin Schuttler (redshirt Jr). “This trio is the bread and butter. It is so good to see Martinez back in the saddle; he had a nagging knee injury last season which kept him out of cross, but I think it did him good. He is really excited and his eagerness is contagious. This trio not only has to keep the team tight, they will have to work off each other’s strengths in order to accomplish the team’s ultimate goal- another team trip to the national championship.”
They will have help from a few other young returners in Federico Padilla (So.), Jeff Brewer (So.), Diego Villa (So.), Nick Liboy (Fr.) and redshirt Freshmen, Jesus Trejo. “I think any of these young men can step up and provide support to the team’s front pack. We will just have to see which one it will be. Padilla is one that has the talent to do amazing things. He spent all summer increasing his mileage and tempo in his country’s [Colombia] high altitude.” The Royal’s key losses this year will be that of Chris Barraza and All-American Amon Rotich. Barraza transferred out this summer and Amon will wait to start his graduate work in the spring of 2007.
Larios’ newcomers are also eager to hit the trails. Leading the new blue and gold will be Orssie Bumpus from Brandon High School, a highly recruited 6’- 4” all-round athlete. “Orssie had a tremendous track season finishing All-State in both the mile and two-mile… I believe he will be a major impact from day one.” Wilbourn Kosgei, one of three Kenyan natives on this year’s roster, is expected to be one of Larios’ top three runners. A training partner of Amon Rotich back in Kenyan, Larios considers Kosgei a “national impact athlete.” Kosgei’s other two countrymen that will call Lake Wales home this year are Cornelius Rotich and Vincent Bosire. “Rotich will add more depth in the 800/1500m, but has the capacity to stretch himself into longer races… his versatility will show come track season.” Bosire will also make his freshman debut as a Royal but as a walk-on, Coach Larios is yet to determine his athletic role on the team. Other impacting Floridians are Alex Russell and Chris Rivera, coming off Flagler Palm Coast’s state championship team, both young men has high expectations for their roles on this team. State qualifier Travis Nichols (Cooper City HS),Jeff Valentine (Port Charlottee HS), and Josh Woods (Port Charlotte HS) wrap up this year’s south Florida recruits, while Kenneth Muldrow hails from nearby Blake High School. “Every one of these freshmen Floridians has the tools to impact our team. I don’t think I have ever recruited a new freshman class that has come so highly recommended like this year’s. Character and Servanthood are two qualities I see in each of them already.”
The men will begin their chase for their seventh team title on September 8th at the local University of Tamp Early Bird Classic. Be sure to come out and support your Runnin’ Royals and check back frequently for updates throughout the season.
The Runnin’ Royals Cross Country teams would like to thank all our sponsors and friends for their support. We encourage all our supporters to contact Larios if there is any community service project that we may benefit form. Furthermore, if you would like to learn of other forms of support, please feel free to contact Larios at 863-528-6294, or lariosj@warner.edu.
Runnin’ Royals Always,
Jose Larios
Head Coach- Cross Country and Track & Field
11.05.06 Cross Country Four Royal Runners Qualify for XC Nationals
Lake Wales, Fla. - This past Saturday on the shores of Lake Wailes, Wilbourn Kosgei (FR - Kapsabet, Kenya) won his fourth race of the season by winning the NAIA Region XIV Cross Country Championships, earning fim FSC/Region XIV Male Runner of the Year. He is the fifth Royal to earn this honor in the past six years.
He, along with freshman Orssie Bumpus (Brandon, Fla.) earned a trip to Louisville, Kentucky to run in their first NAIA National Cross Country Championship. By virtue of their finish, both men earned All-Conference/All-Region honors.
"I felt our guys ran a gutsy rac. I felt the freshmen took it out a bit too fast, as most freshmen tend to do; however, you can't ever be too upset to see such a young team try as hard as they did...with more experience, will come success," said head coach Jose Larios.
On the women's side, sophomore Talisa Bishop (Interlachen, Fla.) ran a tremendous race to finish second overall. Bishop had been nursing an IT Band injury all season, but found enough grit to run her best race of the season when it counted.
Tabith Knauer (Lake Wales, Fla.) also qualified for the National Championships for the third consecutive year by finishing 7th overall. This is both Bishop and Knauer's second All-Conference/All-Region honor.
"The women ran a tremendous race today. The conditions wer much more more windy during their race and they gave Embry-Riddle everything they had today. I am so proud of our ladies, but also very disappointed for them because they really wanted to winm," said coach Larios.
With 10 freshmen on the men's and women's squad, WSC cross country has a great future to look forward to.
11.05.06 Cross Country Royals Finish 2nd at NAIA Regional Race
Lake Wales, Fla. - The Warner University men's and women's cross country team took second place in the NAIA Region XIV Race this weekend.
The men finished just behind conference rival Embry-Riddle with freshman Wilbourn Kosgei taking 1st place with a time of 26:08.91.
Finishing the season with great qualifying runs for the men were Orssie Bumpus (27:40.05, 10th), Jose Martinez (28:03.65, 13th), Travis Nichols (28:35.45, 16th), Kevin Schuttler (28:45.24, 18th).
The women also finished 2nd behind Embry-Riddle. Talisa Bishop led the girls with a second place finish overall with a time of 20:01.17.
There were also great runs by Tabitha Knauer (20:51.38, 7th), Merissa Knauer (21:37.46, 12th), Tranese Boston (21:46.52, 14th) and Arilicia Adkins (22:04.28, 15th).
09.28.06 - Floirda Sun Conference Website Men's Cross Country Kosgei Named Runner of the Week
Freshman cross country runner, Wilbourn Kosgei was honored as the Runner of the Week for the Florida Sun Conference.
Kosgei was the top runner for Warner for the second straight meet, earning him this honor for the week beginning Sept. 18.
Kosgei took home the individual title at the Great American Cross Country Festival in Hooover, Ala. on Saturday, crossing the line in 26:56.50. The Royals placed second out of 15 teams.
09.23.06 Men's Cross Country Kosgei Leads Royals to 2nd Place Finish
HOOVER, AL - Wilbourn Kosgei was the top runner at the Great American Cross Country Festival this weekend. Kosgei finished the tough course in 26:56.50 to place first.
Joining Kosgei in the Top 25 of the race were teammates Orssie Bumpus (7th-28:07.70) and Jose Martinez, (20th-29:04.10).
Travis Nichols (37th-29:47.10) and Kevin Schuttler (44th-30:29.70) also contributed to an outstanding Second place finish for the Runnin’ Royals.
The Runnin’ Royals defeated some of the top Division I & II schools around, also out-running conference rival, Webber International for the second time this season.
09.18.06 Men's Cross Country Warner’s Kosgei has Record Breaking Weekend
Warner University’s (WSC) men’s cross country runner, Wilbourn Kosgei broke the 8K record time this weekend at the 2006 UF Mountain Dew Gator Cross Country Invitational.
Kosgei, a freshman from Kapsebet, Kenya, competed in his first 8K and placed seventh overall, only to be out run by six University of Florida runners.
Kosgei’s final time was 24:51.21; the 2003 record was held by WSC’s Amon Rotich with a time of 25:00.00. Kosgei also broke the UF course record previously held by WSC’s Fackson Nikandu with a time of 25:26 in 2002.
The team finished 11th overall out of 17; the only teams that placed a head of WSC were Division I and Division II schools.
Also contributing to the race was Orssie Bumpus, 26:19.93 (38); Travis Nichols, 27:31.71 (59); Jose Martinez, 27:45.60 (64) and Alex Russell, 28:02.36 (70).
Complete standings on the men’s and women’s cross country team can be found on their schedules page by clicking on the results.
09.09.06 Cross Country Royals Finish Fifth at UT Invite
The Warner University (WSC) men's and women's cross country team finished fifth at the UT Early Bird Invitational friday evening.
Out of eight teams, the men's cross coutnry team finished behind all NCAA schools (UF, FSC, USF, UT) and finished ahead of conference rival Webber International, St. Leo University and Rollins College.
Wilbourn Kosgei (10) was the first runner for the Royals to finish with a time of 21:14:00. Orssie Bumpus (17) finished with a time of 21:43:00 with Jose Martines (30) 22:46:00, Travis Nichols (32) 22:50:00, and Alex Russell (35) 23:24:00 finishing behind him.
For additional information about the men's cross country program at Warner University, contact
Coach Jose Larios at: lariosj@warner.edu.
The Warner University Athletics pages are updated and maintained by the Sports Information Director. Any comments, questions, concerns, or issues should be directed to sid@warner.edu.
