QUALITY FIELD: Athletics Kenya names 27 for World Junior championships

Elvis Cheboi wins 10000m men race during IAAF world Junior Championship Trials at Nyayof Stadium on 24-06-2014.PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO

The 15th IAAF World Junior Athletics Championships national trials produced a fair share of dreams and shattered ambitions at the Nyayo National Stadium yesterday.

World juniors 5,000m bronze medalist Agnes Jebet, 3,000m steeplechase champion Daisy Chepkemei and Moses Mukono return to the IAAF World Junior Championships after their maiden stab at the event in Barcelona in 2012.

Athletics Kenya named a team of 27 athletes to the 15th IAAF (International Amateur Athletics Federation) World Junior Championships to at the historic Hayward Field stadium in Eugene, USA on July 22-27. The team will report to the YMCA in South C, Nairobi for residential training on Sunday.

World Youth 800m champion Alfred Kipketer and 2,000m steeplechase champion and 3,000m champion Rosefline Chepng'etich head to the championships longing to extend their dominance in their races. Also going are Africa junior silver medalist Elvis Cheboi and Alex Sampao with heads held high after ruling the roost at the Africa level.
But world 3,000m champion Mercy Chebwogen finished fifth in the trials and will not defend her title.
Jonathan Kiplimo Sawe staged a comeback to the national team after an absence since winning bronze medal at the IAAF World Youth Championships in Lille, France, in 2011.
Joshua Masikonde, a student at Simat Secondary School in Uasin Gishu County, finally had his day in the sun after failing to make the national team in several occasions.
But women's 5,000m race thrilled the sizeable spectators as Agnes Jebet strolled to victory in 15:40.6 ahead of Loice Chemining (15:53.0) and Celestine Kwajuwai (15:56.3).
Jebet, a Form One Student at Kosirai Secondary School in Uasin Gishu County, vowed: "I won bronze in Barcelona and I must win gold this year in Eugene."
Sheila Chepng'etich, who disappeared off after the 2011 World Youth in Lille, staged her return with a win in 1,500m in 4:12.0 beating Winfred Mbithe (4:15.7) and Eva Cherono (4:20.4).
World Youth Champion Lilian Kasait won 3,000m in 9:15.22 ahead of Africa cross-country silver medalist Nancy Nziza (9:15.59). Mercy Chebwogen faded to fifth.
On the men's front, Alfred Kipketer (1:45.67) outshone Joshua Masikonde (1:45.85) and Timothy Cheruiyot (1:45.92) in 800m.
Little-known Titus Kipyego (8:22.46) led Barnabas Kipyegon (8:24.10) and Domnic Kiptarus (8:29.28) in the 3,000m steeplechase.
Jonathan Sawe (3:42.59) was too good for Hillary Cheruiyot (3:43.10) and Africa Youth champion Robert Biwott (3:43.91) in 1,500m contest.
But Moses Mukono dazzled his fans as he took a fall and produced a scintillating sprint to victory in 13:46.8, beating Fredrick Kipkosgei (13:47.7).
Elvis Cheboi won the 10,000m in 28:33.73 ahead of Nicholas Kosimbei (28:37.58) and Emmanuel Bett (28:47.51).
Cheboi said: "The race was ok. I am happy to have made the team and will now focus on serious training. I want to give my best the Oregon competition and graduate to seniors with at least a record in the junior level."
Kenya has had a good show at the championships since its inaugural event in 1986 in Greece.
ENDS
SQUAD TO EUGENE
MEN
Geoffrey Kipkoech, Stephen Kipkoech (400mH); Alfred Kipketer, Joshua Masikonde (800m); Jonathan Sawe, Hillary Cheruiyot (1,500m); Titus Kipyego, Barnabas Kipyegon (3,000m steeplechase); Moses Mukono, Fredrick Kipkosgei (5,000m); Elvis Cheboi, Nicholas Kosimbei (10,000m)

WOMEN
Maureen Thomas (200m); Eglay Nafula (400m); Maximilla Emali, Margaret Nyairera (800m); Sheila Chepnng'etich, Winfred Mbithe (1,500m); Lilian Kasait, Maiteko Valintine (3,000m); Rosefline Chepng'etich, Daisy Chepkemei (3,000m steeplechase); Agnes Jebet, Loice Chemining (5,000m)
OFFICIALS
Florence Jebungei and Eugene Akweyi (physios); Jane Torotich (chaperone); Andrew Maritim and George Ogeto (coaches); Kimutai Ngetich (team manager) and Dimmy Kisalu (team leader).