Friday, October 30
Kalamazoo, Mich. - Prairies Golf Course
12:00 p.m.
University of Toledo
vs
Mid-American Conference Championships
Photo by: Bree Bee
10/30/2026 3:47:00 PM | Men's Cross Country
Patrick Kiprop wins individual title to give Toledo individual champion for fourth straight year
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Patrick Kiprop captured the individual title and Joad Martinho and Eloshas Kipkirui placed second and third, respectively, to lead Toledo to its third consecutive Mid-American Conference Men's Cross Country Championship on Friday at the Prairie Golf Course in Kalamazoo, Mich.
Kiprop's championship marked the fourth straight year a Rocket has won the individual MAC title. Dennis Mutai won in 2023 and was followed by Dominic Serem in 2024 and Martinho last year.
Toledo placed five runners among the top eight to dominate the field. The Rockets' 21 points were 45 more than runner-up Miami. The Rockets also made history with their 21-point performance, setting a new MAC Championship record for the fewest points scored in a 10-team field. The Rockets broke the previous record of 29 points, set by Eastern Michigan in 1974.
"Today was a terrific day for both our programs," said Head Coach Andrea Grove-McDonough. "They continue to showcase what years of hard work, belief, and a culture that refuses to put a ceiling on themselves can accomplish. That culture has been built on athletes who have stayed loyal to our program and to each other and wanted to finish what they started. They are coming together at just the right moment. I'm incredibly proud of these athletes and our staff and grateful for all the support we get from our Rocket family."
Also scoring for the Rockets were Loann Brelivet (7th/23:57.8) and Sibonelo Khumalo (8th/24:02.3).
Brelivet, Kipkirui, Kiprop, and Martinho each earned First Team All-MAC honors, marking the most all-conference honorees for the Rockets ever. Khumalo received Second-Team All-MAC recognition.
Associate Head Coach Louis Vazquez was named MAC Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year for a second straight season.
Toledo now will set its sights on the NCAA Great Lakes Region race in East Lansing, Mich. on Friday, Nov. 13.
2026 MAC MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP
Friday, Oct. 30, 2026
Prairie Golf Course | Kalamazoo, Mich.
TEAM STANDINGS
1. Toledo – 21 pts.
2. Miami – 66 pts.
3. UMass – 98 pts.
T4. Akron – 117 pts.
T4. Eastern Michigan – 117 pts.
6. Ohio – 180 pts.
7. Central Michigan – 196 pts.
8. Buffalo – 209 pts.
9. Bowling Green – 212 pts.
10. Kent State – 259 pts.
TOLEDO INDIVIDUAL FINISHES
1. Patrick Kiprop – 23:20.9
2. Joad Martinho – 23:26.3
3. Eloshas Kipkirui – 23:27.7
7. Loann Brelivet – 23:57.8
8. Sibonelo Khumalo – 24:02.3
18. Peter McMahon – 24:39.2
32. Joshua Carlin – 24:57.2
51. Joshuah Taylor – 25:35.0
66. Ronald Neal – 26:10.7
73. Max Matolin – 26:21.8
Kiprop's championship marked the fourth straight year a Rocket has won the individual MAC title. Dennis Mutai won in 2023 and was followed by Dominic Serem in 2024 and Martinho last year.
Toledo placed five runners among the top eight to dominate the field. The Rockets' 21 points were 45 more than runner-up Miami. The Rockets also made history with their 21-point performance, setting a new MAC Championship record for the fewest points scored in a 10-team field. The Rockets broke the previous record of 29 points, set by Eastern Michigan in 1974.
"Today was a terrific day for both our programs," said Head Coach Andrea Grove-McDonough. "They continue to showcase what years of hard work, belief, and a culture that refuses to put a ceiling on themselves can accomplish. That culture has been built on athletes who have stayed loyal to our program and to each other and wanted to finish what they started. They are coming together at just the right moment. I'm incredibly proud of these athletes and our staff and grateful for all the support we get from our Rocket family."
Also scoring for the Rockets were Loann Brelivet (7th/23:57.8) and Sibonelo Khumalo (8th/24:02.3).
Brelivet, Kipkirui, Kiprop, and Martinho each earned First Team All-MAC honors, marking the most all-conference honorees for the Rockets ever. Khumalo received Second-Team All-MAC recognition.
Associate Head Coach Louis Vazquez was named MAC Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year for a second straight season.
Toledo now will set its sights on the NCAA Great Lakes Region race in East Lansing, Mich. on Friday, Nov. 13.
2026 MAC MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP
Friday, Oct. 30, 2026
Prairie Golf Course | Kalamazoo, Mich.
TEAM STANDINGS
1. Toledo – 21 pts.
2. Miami – 66 pts.
3. UMass – 98 pts.
T4. Akron – 117 pts.
T4. Eastern Michigan – 117 pts.
6. Ohio – 180 pts.
7. Central Michigan – 196 pts.
8. Buffalo – 209 pts.
9. Bowling Green – 212 pts.
10. Kent State – 259 pts.
TOLEDO INDIVIDUAL FINISHES
1. Patrick Kiprop – 23:20.9
2. Joad Martinho – 23:26.3
3. Eloshas Kipkirui – 23:27.7
7. Loann Brelivet – 23:57.8
8. Sibonelo Khumalo – 24:02.3
18. Peter McMahon – 24:39.2
32. Joshua Carlin – 24:57.2
51. Joshuah Taylor – 25:35.0
66. Ronald Neal – 26:10.7
73. Max Matolin – 26:21.8
Players Mentioned
Distance
/ Men's Cross Country
Distance
/ Men's Cross Country
Distance
/ Men's Cross Country
Distance
/ Men's Cross Country
Distance
/ Men's Cross Country
Distance
/ Men's Cross Country
Distance
/ Men's Cross Country
Distance
/ Men's Cross Country
Distance
/ Men's Cross Country
Distance
/ Men's Cross CountryFriday, May 30
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Tuesday, May 27
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