Kisii University retains KUSA Western Conference athletics title

Hosts Kisii University dominated the Kenya Universities Sports Association (KUSA) Western Conference track and field championships which concluded yesterday.

Kisii University won both the men and women’s titles to retain the overall title. The hosts garnered a whopping 333 points to retain the title which they won in 2019.

Masinde Murilo University of Science and Technology (MMUST) came second with 195 points with Kaimosi Friends University College finishing third overall with 186 points and University of Kabianga closing the top four places with 177 points. Rongo University finished last with 118 points.

In the men’s category, Kisii reigned supreme after harvesting 234 points.  They beat MMUST to second place with 140 points while University of Kabianga was third with 110 points. Kaimosi  finished fourth with 102 points and Rongo fifth on 80 points.

Kisii, under the tutelage of games tutor David Obungu, lifted the women’s title with 99 points with KAFUCO finishing second with 84 points. Kabianga was third with 67 points.

MMUST placed fourth with 55 points and Rongo last with 38 points. Kisii University also retained the men’s tug of war title while Rongo won the women’s trophy.

 Obungu attributed the win to intense training. “We have a standard Athletics Kenya certified track which is also an added advantage,” added Obungu.

During the two-day event, Micah Kiprop of Kisii won the 5,000m title in 14:32.03 edging compatriots Keyborn Ogato (14:44.00) and Bony Momanyi (15:08.02) to second and third places respectively.

The women’s title went to Janet Korir of KAFUCO who crossed the finishing line in 21:47.07 and was followed by college-mates Brigid Jeptoo (23:34.01)  and  Faith Chepkirui (24:23.05).

Geoffrey Makori of Maseno led from gun to tape to win the men’s 1,500m. He clocked 4:05.03 and was trailed in second place by Kenin Chepsigor of Kisii who finished in 4:11.02.  Festus Kipkirui placed third in 4:12.02.

Lydia Chepchumba of MMUST won the women’s 1, 500m race in 5:53.02,  beating Betty Nelima of Kaimosi to second place in 5:56.06 while Scholastica Kiptum was third in 6:04.08. Nelima was outstanding in the 800m race winning in 2:45.06 as Scholastica Kiptum came home second in 2:49.00. The third place went to Valerie Chepkorir in 3:00.05.