COLUMBIA, SC – Francis Marion University senior distance runner Ezekiel Koech recorded a first- and a second-place finish at Wednesday's USATF South Carolina State Championship Meet, hosted by the University of South Carolina at the Weems Baskin Track and Field complex.

Koech placed first in the 5,000-meter run with a time of 15:44.56, edging USC's David Johannesmeyer.  FMU senior Ryan Plexico finished in 16:32.33.

Koech also placed second in the 1,500-meters with a time of 4:10.25, less than two seconds behind Oranthal Striggles, an unattached runner.

Plexico placed second in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in a time of 10:09.04, while teammate Bobby Sears was fourth (11:44.95).

In the women's events, FMU freshman Codi Knoch placed third in the 5,000-meters in a time of 20:47.18.

The meet featured competition in men's and women's events with athletes from NCAA Divisions I and II and NAIA institutions.

The Patriots will compete in the Coastal Carolina University Chanticleer Classic, Saturday in Conway.