LEBANON, Tenn. —Mercy Kibiwott opened up Cumberland’s NAIA national championship trip by taking on the 5000m race on Thursday.

Kibiwott is the only Phoenix in action on Thursday. She claimed 16th place in the event with a time of 17:59.22 just missing out on advancing to the finals. The top 12 advanced taking the top four from each heat and then the next four best times.

The rest of the Phoenix get going tomorrow in semifinal rounds. The only finals action tomorrow will be Iredia goodness in the long jump at 4 PM Jason Bowers will be Cumberland's first competitor at noon running in the mile.