Chesang Earns All-Big 12 Recognition

Aug. 23, 2004

LAWRENCE, KAN. – University of Kansas freshman Benson Chesang was named to the Big 12 Conference’s eighth annual All-Conference cross country team on Tuesday.

In a change from the past, All-Big 12 recognition goes to the top 15 finishers at the conference championships. In the past the top nine placers were named All-League. Chesang finished 11th at the Big 12 Championships with a time of 25:05.

This is the second Big 12 honor that the Ravine, Kenya native has received this season. Chesang earned Big 12 Conference Runner of the Week honors after his performance at the OSU Jamboree in Stillwater, Okla. Chesang was the second Jayhawk to be named Big 12 Men’s Runner of the Week in the history of the league. In 1998 KU’s Brian Jensen also won the honor.

Chesang shares the Big 12 honor with his brother, Matthew Chesang, who runs for Kansas State and finished fifth in a time of 24:51.

Chesang has been the top finisher in every meet for the Jayhawks this season and ran a personal best time of 24:03 at the NCAA Pre-National Invitational where he finished 19th.

Both teams will return to Stillwater, Okla., Nov. 15 for the NCAA Midwest Regional Championships. The top teams in each region will advance to the NCAA Championships Nov. 24 in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

2003 ALL-BIG 12 MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY TEAMDathan Ritzenhein, Colorado

Paul Morrison, Texas

Billy Nelson, Colorado

Mindaugas Pukstas, Oklahoma State

Matthew Chesang, Kansas State

Jason Woolhouse, Oklahoma State

Siverus Kimeli, Oklahoma

Brent Vaughn, Colorado

Matt Chance, Baylor

Bret Schoolmeester, Colorado

Benson Chesang, Kansas

Bo Price, Baylor

Joe McNair, Oklahoma

Tim Ross, Missouri

Tommy Bonn, Texas A&M

(11/5/03)