BOSTON—Winny Koskei and Rebekah Topham ran the 5,000 meters to open their indoor track seasons Saturday at the Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener.
 
Koskei completed her first race of the year with a time of 16:16.75. Distance coach Kirk Hunter said Koskei couldn't keep up with a fast pace (Taylor Werner set the collegiate record in the indoor 5K in Koskei's).
 
"She wasn't able to maintain (a faster) pace over an extended period of time," Hunter said. "We agree that we need to work on maintaining speed for longer that way she can compete in those races. (The inability to keep up with a fast pace) depleted her."
 
Rebekah Topham also ran the 5,000 meters. It was her first indoor 5K as an attached runner for Wichita State. She crossed the line with a time of 16:33.29.
 
"Rebekah ran OK," Hunter said. "She's struggling with so many things right now. It's tough when you have no energy and you're running. I thought she managed it well. She's had some struggles this semester, so it was a strong run for her.
 
"It will be good to get into track season, which is what she loves most."
 
Her performance puts her at No. 5 on the Wichita State all-time indoor list. Only All-Americans Koskei, Kellyn Johnson, Tonya Nero and Aliphine Tuliamuk have run better indoor 5K times as a Shocker.
 
The Shockers turn to the winter break but return to competition on Jan. 17 and 18 for the Shocker Prelude and the KU-KSU-WSU Triangular. Both meets will take place at the Heskett Center.