It only took sophomore distance runner John Kosgei one attempt to break a school record. During his LSU debut in the 3,000-meter indoor race, Kosgei broke the school record at the New Balance Collegiate Invitational with a time of 7 minutes, 55.49 seconds. Kosgei, an Eldoret, Kenya, native, surpassed the 19-year-old mark of 7 minutes, 56.66 seconds set by Terry Thornton in 1989. LSU associate head coach Mark Elliott, who also serves as LSU’s cross country coach, is familiar with the school’s 3,000-meter race history. He was a teammate of Thornton’s in 1989 when Thornton set the record. Elliott was also the runner-up at the NCAA Indoor Championships in 1989 in the 3,000-meter race. Needless to say, Elliott understands the significance of Kosgei’s performance. “[That record] will stand for a while,” Elliott said. Junior Joseph Simuchimba was the Tigers’ top distance runner in 2007 with a third-place finish in the 10,000-meter race at the Southeastern Conference Outdoor Championships. He said Kosgei’s time impressed him.
“It’s been a long time since [the 3,000 meter record] was set, and it was in his first race of the season,” Simuchimba said. Elliott said he was most impressed with Kosgei’s performance because it was his first time running the 3,000-meter race in an indoor meet. Elliott also said Kosgei has not reached his potential because he has only been running competitively for about four years. Kosgei shared the same sentiment. “I was very happy, but there are better things coming,” Kosgei said. LSU head coach Dennis Shaver said Kosgei can run the 3,000-meter race at an even faster pace once he becomes more familiar with the race. “His fastest 200-meter [interval] in the entire 3,000-meter race was his last 200 meters,” Shaver said. “That lets him know that throughout other portions of the race he probably could have pushed the pace just a little bit more.” Kosgei has received high praise from his teammates and coaches in his short time at LSU. “He’s probably the best long-distance runner we’ve had here in the past 20 years,” Elliott said. Shaver said having a strong distance runner like Kosgei gives LSU a more complete team for the national championship meet. “I’ve been here for 13 years or so, and we’ve never scored in the 3,000-meter race while I’ve been here,” Shaver said. “Now we’re not just scoring in the sprints and hurdles … we’re now also scoring in the in the distance races.” Elliott said Kosgei has the ability to perform well at the national championships in more than just the 3,000-meter race. “If our distance medley makes it in then we have to decide [to run him in] the mile or the 3,000 meters,” Elliott said. “But I think he’s one of those guys you should consider vying for the championship in the 3,000 meters.” Kosgei said he is willing to compete in several events if necessary. “I want to specialize in the 3,000 meters,” Kosgei said. “But I’ll do whatever is good for the team.” Elliott said Kosgei has the talent to eventually make the Olympic team for Kenya, a country with a rich history in distance events. “He has to be running close to the world record to actually make that team,” Elliott said. “But he can make it down the road.” Elliott said he is still trying to determine Kosgei’s limits because Kosgei keeps pushing past them. He said he constantly rewrites workouts to his talent level. The distance program at LSU has historically been overshadowed by star sprinters like Kelly Willie, Xavier Carter and Trindon Holliday. But Kosgei said he does not mind those stars overshadowing him. He said he prefers getting less attention than the sprinters, and the image of being a star does not appeal to him. “I’m much more worried about us working together as a team,” Kosgei said. Kosgei and the Tigers will compete in the SEC Indoor Championships Friday through Sunday in Fayetteville, Ark. at the Randal Tyson Track Center. The Lady Tigers, ranked No. 1 in the nation, are looking for their first SEC Indoor Championship since 1999. The No. 4 men’s team is competing for its first conference indoor championship since 1990. The two teams combine for 15 athletes ranked first or second in the conference in their events heading into this weekend.
—-Contact Robert Stewart at [email protected]