Yego, Chelak Each Place 6th for Chargers at Heartland Invite

NORMAL — Sharon Yego and Collines Chelak each posted sixth-place finishes to lead the Carl Sandburg College cross country teams at the Heartland Invitational on Friday evening at Maxwell Park.

Yego's time of 20 minutes, 30.03 seconds in the 6-kilometer women's race topped the Chargers, who placed fourth in a highly competitive field. Sandburg's Damaris Kimaiyo was eighth across the line in 20:38.05, and Bailey Hedrick finished 15th in 21:28.16.

The Chargers' women's squad finished fourth with 73 points. Heartland, the No. 5 team in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association rankings for NJCAA Division II, won with 33 points. Harper, ranked first in NJCAA Division III, was second with 56 points. Southeastern, the No. 9 team in NJCAA Division II, was third with 62 points.

In the men's 8K, Chelak was sixth in 27:26.69, and just behind him was Allan Kipruto in seventh place at 27:28.12.

The nine-team field in the men's race included six programs that were ranked or receiving votes in the latest USTFCCCA polls. The Chargers, among those receiving votes in NJCAA Division II, were fifth with 148 points.

Host Heartland, ranked fifth in NJCAA Division II, won the men's race with 19 points after placing four runners in the top five. Millikin was second with 70 points.

UP NEXT
Oct. 7 at Sauk Valley Invite in Dixon. Women's race at 10:30 a.m. Men's race at 11:15 a.m.

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