Kurgat improves to No. 3 all-time collegiate indoor performer, with Kelati, Lokedi and Ostrander also elevating into top 10 in history with sub-15:20 efforts

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

For the second year in a row, the Boston University/Sharon Colyear-Danville Indoor Season Opener proved to be a special event for New Mexico standout Ednah Kurgat.

After Kurgat and former Missouri star Karissa Schweizer became two of the top six all-time indoor performers in the women’s 5,000 meters last season, the return to the Boston University Track and Tennis Center was even more memorable Saturday for the 2017 NCAA Division 1 cross country champion.

Kurgat won the 5,000 in 15 minutes, 14.78 seconds to eclipse her own program and Mountain West Conference records, becoming the No. 3 performer in collegiate indoor history. Only the Providence pair of Emily Sisson (15:12.22) and Kim Smith (15:14.18) have run faster.

Kurgat’s teammate at New Mexico, sophomore Weini Kelati, took second in 15:15.24 to elevate to the fifth-fastest performer. Kansas senior Sharon Lokedi (15:15.47) and Boise State junior Allie Ostrander (15:16.38) elevated to the Nos. 6 and 7 all-time indoor performers by placing third and fourth.

Schweizer, who won last year in 15:17.31, now ranks ninth in collegiate indoor history. Kurgat clocked 15:19.03 last season, but improved from No. 7 all-time to third.

Eight women eclipsed 15:30, including former Stanford talent Elise Cranny (15:24.32), who recently completed her collegiate career by placing 11th at the NCAA Division 1 Cross Country Championships.

Kelati was second Nov. 17 at the national 6-kilometer final in Wisconsin, Kurgat finished fifth, Ostrander took sixth and Lokedi placed 45th.

Campbell junior Amon Kemboi followed his seventh-place finish in the men’s 10-kilometer national championship by prevailing in the indoor 5,000 in 13:33.64, with Travis Mahoney of HOKA New Jersey New York Track Club taking second in 13:35.97.

Former Georgia standout Kate Hall won the women’s 60-meter dash in 7.36 seconds.