Prior to UNCG: Ran for Liberty University as a freshman during the 2008-09 season ... had a personal-best 25:53 in the 8k at the Brooks Paul Short Run ... finished in 11^th place with a time of 26:12.71 in the 8k at the 2008 Big South Cross Country Championships to help lead Liberty to its fourth-consecutive Big South Championship ... ran a 32:44.90 in the 10k at the NCAA Southeast Regional to help his team to a top-5 finish ...

High School: Attended Kapngetuny High School in Eldoret, Kenya and ran for coach Mwaniki ... began running just three years ago ... finished in under 15 minutes in the 5,000 meters.

Personal: Mike Kipyego Koech ... born June 6, 1986 in Eldoret, Kenya ... son of Cherutich and Margarine Kipkoech ... has two siblings, Luke and Benadine ... majoring in nursing at UNCG.