10/26/2007

The Colorado women's squad won its ninth consecutive conference championship while the men earned their 12th straight title on Friday morning at Rawls Golf Course in Lubbock, Texas. The Buffs have captured every men's title, and 11 of the 12 women's team championships in Big 12 history, with Kansas State winning in 1998.

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Lubbock, Texas--The Colorado women's squad won its ninth consecutive conference championship while the men earned their 12th straight title on Friday morning at Rawls Golf Course in Lubbock, Texas. The Buffs have captured every men's title, and 11 of the 12 women's team championships in Big 12 history, with Kansas State winning in 1998.

In the men's competition, Oklahoma State and Texas placed second and third respectively, while Texas Tech and Nebraska took second and third in the women's standings.

Individually defending women's champion Sally Kipyego (Texas Tech) claimed first-place in the 6,000-meter race. Brent Vaughn (Colorado) claimed top honors on the men's side to break the Kansas' three-year win streak in the 8,000-meter race at the conference meet.

Vaughn finished in 24:22.30 minutes while teammate Kenyon Neuman was the runner-up, with a time of 24:36.50. Neuman edged out Oklahoma State's Ryan Vail (24:36.80) by three-tenths of a second. Colorado's Stephen Pifer placed fourth (24.46.30), becoming the third Buff to finish in the top four in the race. Rounding out the top five was last year's champion, KU's Colby Wissel (24:51.05).

Kipyego finished the course in 19:22.50, surpassing her mark from the Championships a year ago. Jenny Barringer (Colorado) was the runner-up to Kipyego for the second straight year with a time of 19:29.30, leading her team to the title. Following Barringer in third place was Iowa State's Lisa Koll (20:11.15). Kipyego's teammate Irene Kimaiyo finished fourth (20:28.15).

The top 15 finishers in each race earned All-Big 12 honors.

Oklahoma State's David Chirchir, who placed eighth, was named the men's Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, while fifth-place finisher Grace Kemmey (Iowa State), claimed the women's honor. Both were the top newcomer finishers in their respective races.