Ole Miss's Kirui Advances to Finals at University Games

Sophomore Barnabas Kirui won his semifinal heat of the 3,000-meter steeplechase

Aug. 11, 2007

From Ole Miss Athletics

BANGKOK, Thailand - Ole Miss All-American distance runner Barnabas Kirui continued his outstanding year when he won his semifinal heat of the 3,000-meter steeplechase on Saturday to advance to the finals at the World University Games.

Competing against other university students from all over the world, Kirui ran a time of 8:39.33 to finish first among the 15 runners in his heat. He advances to the finals, which will be held on Monday at the Main Stadium at Thammasat University.

Ion Luchianov of the Republic of Moldova boasted the top time of the day by winning the other heat with a mark of 8:32.36.

The equivalent of the Olympic Games for university students, the World University Games (or Universiade) is in its 24th year of competition. Kirui represents his home country of Kenya at the event.

As a freshman in 2007, Kirui won the 10th national title in Ole Miss track and field history when he claimed the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. He also became the fourth runner in SEC history to win all three distance races (5,000 and 10,000 meters and 3,000-meter steeplechase) at the SEC Championships. He was named the 2007 SEC Track and Field Runner of the Year and the 2006 SEC Cross Country Freshman and Runner of the Year, among many other accolades.