Irene Jeptolo Finishes 12th Overall At UNC-Wilmington XC Invitiational; WSSU Finishes 6th Overall - WINSTON-SALEM STATE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE

Sept. 10, 2005

Wilmington, NC - Although it is only two weeks into the 2005 cross-country season, WSSU's Irene Jeptolo looks to be an early favorite for the CIAA Rookie of the Year award as she turned in another top-15 finish for the Rams on Saturday as she placed 12^th overall at the UNC-Wilmington Cross-Country Invitational, finishing the 5k course in 19:25:07.

The Lady Rams, who were on the road for the second consecutive weekend, placed sixth overall as they finished behind The University of Delaware (#1), East Carolina University (#2), Georgia State University (#3), UNC-Wilmington (#4), and Elon University (#5) in a cross-county invitational that featured powerhouse Division I talent.

The Lady Rams would see Jeptolo turn in WSSU's best finish of the day as she placed 12^nd overall with a time of 19:25:07. The freshman, from Kapsabet,

Kenya

would again lead the Lady Rams for the second straight week.

Tomita Ferguson turned in another stellar showing on the day as she finished the 5k course in 22:36:81 to place 61^st overall as she would be the last of the WSSU runners to place 65^th or better.

The Rams will return to action on Friday, September 16^th, 2005 when they host their lone meet of the season at Tanglewood Park in Clemmons, NC. Participants and meet time are unannounced as of press time.

For additional information on WSSU men's cross-country, contact the WSSU Office of Sports Information at (336) 750-2143 or log on to the Official Web Site of WSSU Athletics at www.WSSURAMS.com

Ram Finishers/Place/Time

Irene Jeptolo/12^th/19:25:07

Tomita Ferguson/61^st/22:36:81

Vernae McDonald/71^st/24:32:75

Rhondalynn Hamilton/78^th/30:06:69

Women's Cross Country