October 29, 2012

Paul Chelimo Named Blue Chip Performer

GREENSBORO, N.C. – UNCG cross country junior Paul Chelimo (Chebiemit, Kenya/Chebiemit Boys School) has been named this week's Blue Chip Performer sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina after claiming his second straight Southern Conference Cross Country Championship. The Blue Chip Performer is chosen weekly from all sports in season and will run through the 2012-13 UNCG athletics campaign.

Chelimo was named the SoCon Runner of the Year for the season straight season after pulling away from his competition early in the SoCon championship race at the Laurel Hill Plantation Saturday morning. He finished in a time of 23:42.22, winning the race by 15 seconds over his closest competitor and by 53 seconds over his closest non-UNCG competitor. He led the Spartans to a third-place team finish in the SoCon Championship.

Chelimo has won the only two SoCon championships in UNCG cross country history. He has the three fastest times this season by any SoCon runner, including a sub-23 minute time at the Greater Louisville Classic. Chelimo and the Spartans will continue their season Nov. 9 at the NCAA Regional Championship in Charlotte, N.C.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Of North Carolina Blue Chip Performer Weekly Winners
Sept. 4 – Hakan Ilhan, Men's Soccer
Sept. 10 – Katherine Santiago, Volleyball
Sept. 17 – Abraham Kemboi and Chelsea Sumney, Cross Country
Sept. 24 – Fanny Cnops, Women's Golf
Oct. 1 – Hakan Ilhan, Men's Soccer
Oct. 8 – Niltooli Wilkins, Women's Tennis
Oct. 15 - Jamie Simmons, Women's Soccer
Oct. 22 - Katherine Rodriguez, Women's Soccer
Oct. 29 - Paul Chelimo, Men's Cross Country

- UNCG -