STILLWATER, Okla. – Senior runner Kevin Koski crossed the finish line 99th overall at the NCAA Cross Country Championships, clocking in at 31:32.5 in the 10K race at the Oklahoma State Cross Country Course.
The Redbirds have had six top-100 performances by five different runners at the NCAA Cross Country Championships. With his 99th-finish, Koski joins Kyle Mattes (52nd/2018, 99th/2017), Christian Goy (65th/2002), Robert Breit (80th/2001) and Mike Baker (53rd/1980) as the only men's runners in school history to finish in the top-100 at the national championships.
As one of 252 runners competing in the 10K race, Koski was able to pick off 67 runners from the start of the race to the finish. He came through the 2,000-meter mark in 173rd place with a time of 5:45.1, moving up 29 spots and coming through the 3K at 8:47.2 in 144th place.
By the 5,000-meter mark, Koski has made his way up to 100th, reaching the 5K mark in 15:15.4. At the 6K (18:26.7) and 8K (24:54.7) points of the race, the Park Falls, Wisconsin native, was 93rd overall, which was the highest point he reached throughout the 10,000m race. Koski ultimately crossed the finish line 99th overall with the second-fastest 10K time of his career in 31:32.5.
Koski was Illinois State's 24th runner to compete for the NCAA Cross Country title in ISU men's history after being selected as one of 38 at-large individuals selected to compete at the 2021 NCAA Cross Country Championships, while competing against 31 team selections. He was the first MVC men's runner to compete at the NCAA Championships since 2018 when Illinois State's Kyle Mattes and Bradley's team all qualified.
UP NEXT
The Redbirds will begin outdoor season the weekend of March 26-27 at the Ole Miss Classic and the Billiken Invite.
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