Fayetteville, Ark. -- Missouri Southern sophomore runner Vincent Kiprop won his third-straight event this year as he outdistanced the entire field to win the 28th annual Chile Pepper Festival hosted by the University of Arkansas. 

The Lions, as a team, placed fifth overall. Kiprop traversed the 8k course in a time of 23:08.88, 30 seconds in front of his nearest competition, a pair of Arkansas runners. In Kiprop's last six events, the Kenyan has won five, finishing as the national runner up in the only event he didn't win. 

Tyler Rush placed 26th in a time of 25:03.65 as Cristobal Renteria placed 32nd in a time of 25:12.89. Jared Haltom was 36th in a time of 25:16.81 and Mike Shanahan was 40th with a time of 25:21.64. Cody Berry placed 46th in a time of 25:30.72, while Nickson Kiptoo was 76th in a time of 26:04.15. Luke Johnson finished 159th in a time of 27:17.41, while Ryan Drendel was 178th in a time of 27:37.51. 

Southern finished fifth as a team with 135 points. Colorado Mines was first, followed by Colorado State - Pueblo, Augustana, Iowa Central, Southern, Northwest Missouri, East Central, Florida Southern, Oklahoma City and Harding to round out the top ten. 

The Lions will be back in action next week as Southern travels to Rolla to compete in the Jackling Jocks Invitational hosted by Missouri S&T.