by Benny Benton
WINGATE, N.C. – Barton College senior Joel Lagat wrapped up a stellar cross country career on Saturday with his third straight top-25 showing in the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional.
The Eldoret, Kenya, resident completed the 10K layout at Wingate University Cross Country Facility in a time of 32:54.79 to place 20th in a field of 153 runners. The mark was more than 30 seconds faster than his time on the same course two years ago when he finished eighth and advanced to nationals.
The performance will likely earn Lagat his third all-region honor to go along with three all-conference awards.
Lagat was Barton's lone representative in the meet, which was won by UNC Pembroke's Silus Kipkoech in a time of 31:23.55. University of Mount Olive, Queens University and Augusta University were the top three teams advancing to nationals.
