St Anthony extends winning streaks as athletes clinch Rift Valley titles

National hockey champions St.Anthoney boys high school kitale with their coach Kevin Lukalia before a match at Hill school Eldoret. [Christopher Kipsang,Standard]

National Hockey Champions St Anthony Boys Kitale continued its winning streaks yesterday as athletes competed for glory at the ongoing Rift Valley Schools Games in Eldoret.

St Anthony hammered Tambach 4-0 in their pool C match at the Eldoret Hill School after thrashing Nakuru's Ndururumo 6-0 in day one on Wednesday.

Kevin Lugalia, the Trans Nzoia side boys' coach was upbeat. He said he was hopeful his team will progress to the nationals and defend its title.

"My boys are doing great so far. They are heeding our instructions and taking one match at a time," Lugalis said.

He added: "We can't defend the national title without taking home the regional trophy. We have 10 new faces in our team and we are confident that the boys will extend our winning ways."

Kajiado's Entarara Girls registered a 0-0 draw with West Pokot's Tartar in Pool C.

In the hockey quarter-finals, Tachasis Girls from Nandi demolished Baringo's Mogotio 3-0 to progress to the semi-finals.

Afraha Girls from Nakuru threw 0-0 with their Tartar counterparts (from West Pokot), but Afraha sailed to the semi-finals after winning 1-0 in penalties.

Athletics events run at the Moi Girls Eldoret became the championships' center of attraction given the games are being staged at the City of Champions.

Schools such as Kosirai and Cheptonon from Nandi Kimuron (Elgeyo Marakwet) as well as Sinonin (Baringo) which have, over time produced world-class athletes extended their dominance in the games.

Kelvin Kiplagat from Sinonin was crowned the 2023 Rift Valley secondary schools 10,000m king after a hard-won 30:45.1 victory. He beat Leinas Kipkemboi and Philemon Kiprotich from Kimuron, Elgeyo Marakwet.

Sinonin boys also dominated the 5,000m race, with Kelvin Kiprop and Festus Kimurwa taking the top two places respectively.

Duncan Kipngeno of Kipsited Day produced a superb sprint to win the 100m title in 11.20. He defeated Ali Mhdhar of Baringo Central (11.40) and Erick Barasa from St Anthony KItale (11.50).

Mercy Chepsoyo from Sinonin (Baringo) outsprinted Janet Jepkempoi from Kondabilet (Elgeyo Marakwet) and Asca Jemutai of Cheptonon (Nandi) in the 1500m finals. They timed 04:45.0, 04:47.9 and 04.49.9 in the tight race.

In 800m, Mercy Chepsergon, aslo from Sinonin produced a superb finish to bag the Rift Valley title.

Chepsergon ran 02:13.4, crossing the finish line ahead of second-placed Janet Jepkemoi from Kondabilet and Enostine Jeptoo from Kositany (Nandi), who closed the top three.

Ann Menkop from Kiambogo (Nakuru) is the new Rift Valley 3,000m steeplechase winner in the girls' category, after racing 11:01.9, beating Sharon Chpkirui (11:11.6) of Siso (Kericho) and Gloria Chepkemoi (11:12.1) from Bomet's Oreiyet.

Cheptil from Nandi thrashed Moi Kapsowar Girls (E;geyo Marakwet) 27-15 in their Pool C Basketball match at Moi Girls Eldoret as Chewoyet beat Kilgoris 39-10 in the boys' Pool C.