May 3, 2008

Pemberton Wins MSUB’s First Individual Conference Championship; Tabbed Newcomer of the Year 

ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Richie Pemberton knocked 28 seconds off his season-best time in the steeplechase and surprised the field as he upset David Kiplagat of Alaska Anchorage, who was ranked third in the nation.  Pemberton won the Yellowjackets’ first individual conference championship with a time 9:12.0 as he outkicked Kiplagat. 

Pemberton qualified for the national tournament as well.  Despite a very young team, the Yellowjackets showed a lot of character and scored points in a number of events which proves positive for the future.   

On the women’s side, MSUB scored 14 points, three behind Saint Martin’s for eighth.  The men’s team had 17 points, including the championship 10 points from Pemberton.  Western Oregon won the team championships on both sides, with Alaska Anchorage finishing second on the men’s side and Seattle Pacific was runner-up on the women’s.

In addition, Pemberton was named Newcomer of the Year by the league's coaches.