No. 23 Arkansas claims NCAA South Central team title

COLLEGE STATION – No. 23 Arkansas earned a berth to the NCAA Championships with a team victory at the NCAA South Central Regional held at Texas A&M’s Watts course. Scoring 51 points placed the Razorbacks ahead of SMU (109), Stephen F. Austin (113), and Tulane (115).

It marks the 29th victory for Arkansas at the regional meet and it’s the 14th title in the past 15 meets held. The Razorbacks are a perfect 9-for-9 in District VI and South Central Regional meets that have been held in College Station.

Led by sophomore Isca Chelangat in third place, five Razorbacks finished among the top 17 places. Chelangat covered the 6,000m course in 19:06.2. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi’s Elizabeth Khatevi defended her individual title in 18:58.2 while Ruth Kimeli of Baylor was second in 19:06.1.

Paityn Noe, who won the 2024 South Central title, placed eighth as the second Razorback in clocking a time of 19:34.5. Then the tandem of Josphine Mwaura (19:52.1) and Braelyn Combe (19:53.5) placed 11th and 12th for Arkansas. Combe finished as the top freshman in the field.

Gabbie Bishop wrapped up the team score for Arkansas in placing 17th in a time of 20:02.5 as she was the second best freshman in the field. The sixth and seventh runners for the Razorbacks were Emma Chepngetich (20:04.7) and Marissa Ferebee (20:53.2) as they placed 19th and 55th.

Arkansas had six runner earn All-Region honors for placing among the top 25.

The Razorbacks race in the NCAA Championships next Saturday, November 21, in Terre Haute, Indiana.