Auburn’s Elkanah Kibet did it again and so did the Tigers.

Kibet cruised to an individual title and the No. 21 Auburn men captured the men’s Mel Rosen Orange Race team title with 31 points Saturday at the Tiger Invitational at Indian Pines Golf Course. Holly Knight placed fourth for the Auburn women en route to a sixth-place women’s Mel Rosen Orange Race team finish.

“Our guys ran fantastic out there today,” head cross country coach Peter Watson said. “Elkanah is just a monster. Girma Mesecho ran a lot better; he had something to prove after the Roy Griak Invitational last weekend. Felix [Kibioywo] is just Felix, that guy is awesome.

“Those Washington women are phenomenal; their top six have all done something nationally. Holly had a fantastic race. Laurel Prichard, Amber Riley and Sabrina Fischer really packed it up great for us today. They put some big numbers up. The women are where we thought they would be and they are coming around. Allison Smith really stepped up for us
today.”

Auburn’s trio of Kibet, Kibioywo and Mesecho packed a potent punch, taking first through third places. Kibet, who has won all three of his races this season, crossed the 8K line in 22:16.35, 24 seconds ahead of runner-up Kibioywo (22:40.24). Mesecho took third, finishing in 22:55.52, three seconds better than his 8K at the Roy Griak.

Women’s golf moves up to sixth place
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The No. 14 Auburn’s women’s golf team moved up three spots to a tie for sixth on the second day of the Lady Tar Heel Invitational after posting an 8-over-296 Saturday at the UNC Finley Golf Course.

No. 23 Wake Forest occupies the top spot with a 291—585 with third-ranked North Carolina and eighth-ranked Virginia tied for second at 297—596 and 302—596,
respectively.

Sophomore All-American Cydney Clanton and freshman Patricia Sanz made the most of moving day by each carding a 2-under-70 to climb into a tie for 12th after entering the day tied for 45th. Clanton notched three birdies on the front nine and added a pair on the back nine. She bogeyed No. 12 and double bogeyed No. 16, but was able to maintain the sub-par round.

Chifchieva to play for singles title
PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — Ninth-ranked Fani Chifchieva will play for the Rivera/ITA Women’s All-American Championships title after defeating No. 34 Maria Mosolova of Northwestern on Saturday at the Riviera Tennis Club.

“Fani did a great job of staying focused and in the present,” head women’s tennis coach Tim Gray said. “Her fitness has definitely been a huge bonus in all of these three set matches.”

Chifchieva opened with a 6-4 first set victory, but Cossou evened her case with a 6-4 win in the second set. The Tiger All-American clinched her spot in the finals with a 6-3 win in the third.

“I think I did a great job,” Chifchieva said. “My composure and my movement through the whole match stayed focused and I stuck to my game plan. I am improving my game with every match and I am very excited about the finals tomorrow.”

Equestrian tops South Carolina
BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. — The Auburn equestrian team (2-0) defeated conference rival South Carolina (1-1), 10-6, at One Wood Farm on Saturday. The Tigers defeated the Gamecocks, 5-2, in Hunt Seat and, 5-4, in Western.

Auburn returns to action against conference rival Georgia on Oct. 18 at 10 a.m. at the Auburn Equestrian Center.