Metropolitan’s Kiplagat unbeatable in 3000m steeplechase

Nickson Kiplagat on Saturday overcame a strong challenge to win boys’ 3,000 metres steeplechase at this year’s secondary schools Term Two ‘A’ national games at Kigari Teachers College.

The Riruta Central Secondary School student timed 8.47.4 minutes to win ahead of fellow Metropolitan runner Philemon Ruto (8.54.1) and Mau’s Abel Kiplimo (9.07.9).

Kiplagat’s schoolmate Winfred Mutile won the 3,000 metres to enhance her chances of selection to Team Kenya for next month’s World Youth Championship in Poland.

FALSE START

In the 100 metres, Sheila Mumbi of Nguviu Girls Hugh School recovered from a false start to emerge third on 13 seconds in a race won by Mary Moraa (12.6).

Sheila, who had registered the fasted time in Thursday’s heats, also finished fourth in 200 metres and came fifth in long jump. Earlier, she had helped her 4x100m team to finish third.

Mau region maintained its grip on the athletics title, emerging the best team overall.

The region which has produced bulk of Kenya’s junior runners, garnered 299 points, followed by Lake (175), Nzoia (169), Metropolitan (155), Aberdare (107), Highland (62), Coastal (six) while Northern region did not score any point.

Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association chairman Kimutai Ng’etich said they would select40 boys and girls for trials on Tuesday ahead of the World event.

National athletics coach David Letting was happy with performance of athletes at the event, saying he was confident of getting a strong squad to represent Kenya at the World Youth Championships.

He said he was happy with the discipline, speed and the stamina of the runners, saying most would be called up for the trials at Safaricom Stadium Kasarani next week.

Letting said they were waiting for primary schools championships to be held to all athletes a chance at the trials.