COLUMBIA, Mo. – Wichita State's Elkana Kipruto claimed All-American status at the NCAA Cross Country Championships Saturday morning at the Gans Creek Cross Country Course.
 
With a 24^th-place finish in a field of 261 men, the sophomore from Kapsabet, Kenya etched his name in Wichita State history, becoming the fifth Shocker to be named a cross country All-American and first since Mornay Annandale in 1992, breaking Annandale's 10K school record with a time of 28:57.0.
 
"I am incredibly proud of what Elly accomplished today," head coach Kirk Hunter said. "This is a stellar class of distance athletes, arguably one of the best groups of NCAA distance athletes ever. To battle the way he did and prevail to come out top 25 was absolutely incredible."
 
Kipruto recorded the best finish by an American Conference runner, defeating the conference championship runner-up for a second time, as Bernard Cheriuyot of Tulane finished two seconds behind him in 29^th place.
 
"After a slip up with 3K to go, he battled back in the last 2K to finish so well," Hunter said. "This is a huge validation for our program and will hopefully lead to more great athletes following in his footsteps in the future for WSU."
 
Kipruto ends his season with All-American, All-Region and All-Conference honors, as well as an American Conference title.