Kiptoo, Cheruiyot Dust Off Cleats at Vanguard Invite

By Brandon Petersen

It wasn't a full squad performance Friday morning at the Vanguard Cross Country Invitational, but a couple of Warrior distance runners were on course and preparing for the season ahead. 

Both Kelvin Kiptoo and Emmanuel Cheruiyot ran the hilly course, and both turned in decent times, 28:28 and 32:08, respectively. 

"It was our first meet of the young season," Westcliff head coach Justin Johnson said. "We used this meet to shake the cobwebs off and get back into race shape and race mindset."

Johnson said the Warriors used this race to to see where both Kiptoo and Cheruiyot were conditioning and stamina-wise. 

Although no PR's were broken, Johnson and his runners came away with some valuable information. 

"Kelvin definitely stood out today," Johnson said. "We have work to do, but this meet let me know what race pace he was on and how to attack the season."

The meet featured a number of steep hills, something Johnson said the Warriors weren't prepared for this early, but he loved, nevertheless.

"The whole team wasn't here, so we couldn't rally off one another and push each other to faster times," Johnson said. "However, we did well. I am extremely pleased with what we have here at Westcliff and can see the direction this program is heading."

Kiptoo, the reigning Warrior of the Year, will have a big say in where the program is headed in 2022. 

After finishing his 2021 season at the NAIA national championships, Kiptoo's goals this year include competing for a Cal Pac championship and heading back to nationals to see if he can make some more noise. 

Up next, the Warriors head to the UC Merced meet this weekend.

"I need to put some new race plans together very quickly with this short race week," Johnson said. "We are going to condition like crazy and get some new pacing guides. We will look to have some new PR's (at Merced). 

"Stay tuned, good things in store."