THIS YEAR’S 12.5-LAP CLASH was set to be a blockbuster meeting of three huge talents. New Mexico soph Pamela Kosgei was set to defend her title. Alabama junior/Olympic steeplechaser Doris Lemngole skipped her specialty to join this race. BYU’s Jane Hedengren was the superfrosh, taking down the Collegiate Records in both the 5K and 10K earlier this season, only a year removed from high school superstardom.
But by the end, the formchart was a wreck, with the final damage coming after the race.
Officially, Kosgei’s teammate and fellow soph Marion Jepngetich is the champ, clocking 15:13.01. Two frosh came next: Iowa State’s Mercyline Kirwa, 2 days removed from her shock 10,000 title, placed 2nd in 15:13.72 and Florida’s Judy Chepkoech placed 3rd in 15:14.05.
But first across the line was Lemngole, winner of 5 NCAA titles across indoor, outdoor and cross country. The Kenyan led the field in 15:11.71, only to be informed later she had been disqualified for violating rule 15.5-3g, for taking more than one step “on or over the curb.” Alabama unsuccessfully protested. Our review of ESPN’s footage did not show Lemngole’s infraction, but her feet are not always visible in the video.
Lemngole’s non-win was masterful. North Dakota senior Jadyn Keeler led through 3000, similar to what she did in the 10K. Lemngole and the other major players hovered just behind her.
Hedengren, perhaps still stinging from her tactically questionable 10K loss, then took the lead. It was a short-lived surge, her pace dropping from 75.46 to 72.63, but then slowing again. Hedengren surrendered the lead to Lemngole and Kosgei at around 3700m. A lap later, she appeared spent and began falling back.
Lemngole, by contrast, was just getting wound up. She made a quick separation from the pack at the bell, chased by Kosgei and Jepngetich. The two Lobos then swapped places and Jepngetich pursued Lemngole. She made up ground, but it was in vain and Lemngole “won” the race.
Kosgei faded to 6th (changed to 5th by the DQ), passed by Chepkoech and Iowa State frosh Betty Kipkore (15:14.43). Hedengren slipped even further, all the way to 10th (9th).
“I have nothing to say right now,” Lemngole said after the disqualification. “It is what it is. I’m proud of myself, I’m proud of my school and my career. That’s it.”
WOMEN’S 5000 RESULTS
FINAL (June 13)
1. **Marion Jepngetich’ (NM-Ken) 15:13.01 PR (35.13, 79.14 [1:54.27], 71.43 [3:05.70], 71.76 [4:17.46], 72.64 [5:30.10], 76.27 [6:46.37], 73.41 [7:59.78], 75.68 [9:15.46], 73.01 [10:28.47], 75.50 [11:43.97], 75.11 [12:59.08], 69.47 [14:08.55], 64.46)
(64.46, 2:13.93, 4:44.54);
2. ***Mercyline Kirwa’ (IaSt-Ken) 15:13.72 PR (63.70, 2:14.11, 4:44.87);
3. ***Judy Chepkoech’ (Fl-Ken) 15:14.05 PR (64.47, 2:14.59, 4:45.41);
4. ***Betty Kipkore’ (IaSt-Ken) 15:14.43 (64.61);
5. **Pamela Kosgei’ (NM-Ken) 15:15.88;
6. Hilda Olemomoi’ (Fl-Ken) 15:16.23;
7. **Edna Chelulei’ (EnKy-Ken) 15:18.21 PR;
8. ***Katie Bohlke (VaT) 15:18.71 PR;
9. ***Jane Hedengren (BYU) 15:22.88; 10. *Juliet Cherubet’ (Or-Ken) 15:25.41 =PR; 11. *Hannah Gapes’ (NCSt-NZ) 15:25.93 PR; 12. Jadyn Keeler’ (ND-Can) 15:27.43; 13. Chloe Thomas’ (Wa-Can) 15:35.65; 14. Vera Sjoberg’ (NC-Swe) 15:42.42; 15. ***Domtila Cheruto’ (Ok-Ken) 15:47.30; 16. Brynn Brown (NC) 15:51.69; 17. **Bethany Michalak (NCSt) 15:52.98; 18. ***Nancy Cherop’ (Clem-Ken) 15:54.98; 19. *Julia David-Smith’ (Wa-Fra) 15:58.27; 20. Rosina Machu (Gonz) 15:59.25; 21. **Isca Chelangat’ (OkSt-Ken) 16:04.00; 22. **Edna Chepkemoi’ (LSU-Ken) 16:40.12;… dq[lane]—[1]*Doris Lemngole’ (Al-Ken) [15:11.71)] (35.11, 78.96 [1:54.07], 71.43 [3:05.50], 71.71 [4:17.21], 72.69 [5:29.90], 75.82 [6:45.72], 73.56 [7:59.28], 76.23 [9:15.51], 72.54 [10:28.05], 75.71 [11:43.76], 75.09 [12:58.85], 69.18 [14:08.03], 63.68) (63.68, 2:12.86, 4:43.66).
