Nov. 21, 2011

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Ole Miss senior Martin Kirui capped a stellar track and cross country career on Monday as he competed at the 2011 NCAA Cross Country Championships, hosted by Indiana State at the LaVern Gibson Championship Course.

Running at the NCAA Cross Country Championships for the first time, Kirui finished 131st out of 252 athletes in the field.

"Martin ran a good race against a really competitive field," Ole Miss head coach Joe Walker said. "We are very proud of him and all our cross country runners for the season they've had."

Since transferring to Ole Miss from Southwest Mississippi Community College, the native Kenyan's two-year career accomplishments include an SEC outdoor championship in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, a Drake Relays title in the steeplechase, two-time All-SEC in cross country, two-time All-South Region in cross country and several points scored at SEC meets.

Kirui's appearance at the NCAA Cross Country Championships was the sixth by any runner in school history. His brother, Barnabas Kirui, made three of those six appearances in 2006, 2009 and 2010. Barnabas finished fourth in the nation in 2009.

That wraps up the 2011 cross country season, which was one of the best in Ole Miss program history.

The Ole Miss women had their best season in school history, highlighted by a fifth-place finish at the SEC Championships and fourth-place result at the NCAA South Regional, both program records. They also won two meets - the Memphis Twilight Classic and Delaware Invitational - and had impressive results at the Greater Louisville Classic (third) and Crimson Classic (second).

Senior Logan Waites finishes her cross country career as the most decorated cross country female in school history. She became the first Rebel female to earn All-SEC honors this year and finished the highest by any female in school history at both the SEC Championships and NCAA South Regional. She was twice recognized as the SEC Female Athlete of the Week this season.

Junior Katie Breathitt also turned in one of the best seasons in school history. Her 15th-place result at both the SEC Championships and NCAA South Regional are the second-best results by a Rebel female in school history.

Highlights from the NCAA Championships will be included as part of the CBS NCAA Fall Seasonal Show scheduled to air on Saturday, Dec. 18 from noon to 1:00 p.m. CT on CBS HD.