TicketsEVANSVILLE, Ind. — The Cincinnati men's and women's cross country teams saw their successes continue into the postseason, as Nickson Kogei won the men's 10k, Ann Lemirisho was fourth in the women's 6k, and both teams posted their highest-ever finishes at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional.
The women finished fifth, while the men were sixth, both marking all-time bests for the program.
Kogei is the third Bearcat to win the Great Lakes Regional title, joining Aaron Bienenfeld (2019) and Eric Finan (2010). He is the 11th in program history to qualify for the nationals. His 29:42.74 mark set the Angel Mounds 10K course record, breaking it by seven seconds from Butler's Simon Bedard in 2021. Kogei earlier this season captured the 8K record there as well.
Kogei was joined by Lemirisho, Claire Curtsinger and Abby Sewell as all-region honorees for finishing in the top-25. Curtsinger also continued her improvement by going from 32nd to 13th and eventually 10th this season.
Lemirisho has finished in the top-five in four of six events this fall. For Sewell, it was also a 36-second improvement from her 6K at the same course this year.
In addition to Kogei's and Lemirisho's automatic bids for their performances on non-automatic-qualifying teams, UC will await further draws for the National Championships Saturday at 5 p.m. ET online.
Take a bow, Bearcats! 👏
— Cincinnati TF & XC (@GoBearcatsTFXC) November 14, 2025
Both the men and women earned their highest Great Lakes Regional finishes in program history! pic.twitter.com/GFGV5Y0g0O