Peoria, Ill. – Oral Roberts Cross Country made waves at the NCAA Division I Midwest Regional Friday, led by a historic performance from Abraham Chelangam. Competing on the storied Newman Golf Course, the Golden Eagles showcased grit and determination against elite competition.

Chelangam's Historic Run

 The sophomore further cemented his legacy in ORU history with a stunning fifth-place finish in the men's 10K. Facing the #2-ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys and a loaded field, Chelangam posted a school-record time of 29:12.27 to become the first Golden Eagle to qualify for nationals since 2009 and record the program's highest individual finish ever at the Midwest Regional.

Chelangam's splits were nothing short of remarkable, unofficially breaking the school 6K record (17:29.4) and 8K record (23:15.8) en route to his historic 10K time. His fearless effort solidifies his status as one of the premier distance runners in ORU history.

Nicodemus Rotich also delivered a strong performance, clocking in at 31:01.2 to secure 75th place. His time ranks as the fifth-fastest 10K in school history, giving the Golden Eagles two top-tier performances on the men's side.

Murambidzi Leads the Women's Charge

True freshman Ossly Murambidzi continued her stellar debut season, pacing the ORU women with a time of 21:48 in the 6K. The performance etched her name in the ORU record books, landing her ninth all-time in school history for the distance.

The Golden Eagles saw a flurry of personal bests, with Rushell Johnson, Zoie Kiddy, Madeline Cabana, and Lillian Woolery all setting career marks on the day. The team's collective effort showcased the bright future of ORU women's cross country.

Up Next

Chelangam will represent ORU at the NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships on November 23 in Verona, Wisconsin, aiming to cap his season with another historic performance.