Ruth Kimeli wasted no time making her season debut count.
Back in the lineup after missing Baylor’s first two meets, the two-time NCAA Championship qualifier immediately settled into the lead pack at the Southern Showcase and never drifted off the front. Her ninth-place finish in 16:18.8 highlighted a Baylor women’s effort that landed the Bears 12th in the 31-team meet at John Hunt Cross Country Park in Huntsville, Ala.
Alabama’s Caren Kiplagat won the individual title in 15:41.4, and the Crimson Tide rolled to the team championship.
For Baylor, Kimeli set the tone, but the rest of the scoring crew had to navigate a packed field of more than 300 runners. Junior Ella Perry was the next Bear across the line, placing 55th in 17:56.3.
Sophomore Eva Jacobsen followed in 73rd at 18:08.0, while Texas transfer Mackenize Browne came in 102nd in 18:28.2. Sophomore Rachel Haws finished 134th in 18:46.5, and sophomore Rickeisha Simms closed out the Baylor results in 140th at 18:49.1.
"On the women's side, Ruth led the way with a great finish on limited training," Baylor coach David Barnett said. "Ella and Eva had solid days as well, and I'm excited to get back to work in Waco."
Baylor also sent two runners into the men’s 8K race, and both landed in the top half of a 304-runner field. Junior Jack Sterrett led the way for the Bears in 76th at 25:23.8, with senior Straton Miller right behind in 135th at 25:58.9.
"Both teams had some quality races," Barnett said. "And as we build towards bigger races down the road, the results will continue to improve. It was a great experience racing in a new environment, and I believe it will pay dividends in the future."
The Bears will sit out next week before returning to action Friday, Oct. 2, at the Nike XC Town Twilight in Terre Haute, Ind. That race will be run at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course, which will also host the NCAA Championships in November.
In Other News...
Baylor Win Brought A New QB Question Fans Didn't Expect
Baylors 36-19 win over Louisiana Tech gave the Bears plenty to like, especially on a night when backup quarterback Nate Bennett stepped in and made the offense look steady and productive. He threw for 253 yards and three touchdowns, added a rushing score, and helped Baylor keep control while freshman Ryelan Morris supplied valuable late-game carries. The defense also did its part, forcing a fumble and coming up with a stop on fourth down when the Bulldogs tried to answer.
Still, the broader picture after the game is a little murkier than the final score suggested. Baylor is already dealing with the loss of Devonte Tezino, and the run defense remains an issue that needs work, which means the Bears have some real concerns to sort through even after a solid showing. Add in Bennetts performance, and the win leaves Baylor with a new quarterback question it probably did not expect to be asking this soon. [Read more 🡒]
Baylor's Quarterback Picture Just Got A Lot More Interesting
Nate Bennett gave Baylor exactly what it needed in a 36-19 win over Louisiana Tech, and he did it in just his second straight start. The quarterback was efficient from the jump, completing 21 of 24 passes for 253 yards and three touchdowns while adding another score on the ground, a performance that helped keep the Bears in control throughout the afternoon.
Baylor also got a defensive showing that should not get lost in the shuffle. The Bears held Louisiana Tech to 19 points and 362 total yards, a strong enough effort to make this the first time since 2019 that they have allowed fewer than 20 points through their first three games. With Bennett settling in and the defense stacking results, Baylors quarterback situation suddenly looks a whole lot more compelling. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Tech Exposed A Baylor Problem That Could Decide Two Games
Texas Techs recent showing against Houston offered a clear look at the kind of challenge Baylor is about to face in the Big XII, and it was the sort of game that can expose more than one weakness at once. For the Bears, the matchup problem is not just about one opponent or one scheme. It is about how well they handle a team that can create stress from multiple spots on the floor, while also staying sharp enough to avoid being dragged into a game that turns on matchups and reaction time.
Baylors own path now runs through both Texas Tech and Houston later in the season, with home and road meetings that will ask different questions each time. The Bears will need a clean plan for Techs multi-position threats, and they will also have to make life difficult for Houston quarterback Conner Weigman by keeping pressure on him throughout the night. Those are separate tests, but they point to the same issue Baylor has to solve if it wants to keep its conference hopes on track. [Read more 🡒]