THIS YEAR: The leader of Azusa Pacific's distance runners, junior Abednego Magut is healthy and at full strength once again, eyeing his first NAIA individual title ... One of the nation's best in the 5000- and 10,000-meters ... Is a 3-time All-American and ranks among Azusa Pacific's all-time top 5 in both the 5000- (fifth) and 10,000-meters (third).
2010 (sophomore): Enjoyed a fine indoor season as a 2010 sophomore, closing it out as the NAIA runner-up in the 5000 (14:38.83) ... Won a pair of GSAC titles, taking the 1500 (3:52.53) and the 5000 (14:41.23) ... However, suffered a foot injury late in the outdoor campaign and was hindered during the NAIA Outdoor Championship Meet in Marion, Ind., finishing a distant 19th in the 10,000, some 3 minutes off his career-best mark (29:43.49, second fastest time in Azusa Pacific history) that he ran 6 weeks earlier at the Mt. SAC Relays ... Was unable to start in the 5000 prelims the following day because of the injury.
2009 (freshman): In his first-ever season on a track, was the NAIA runner-up in both the indoor 5000 (14:43.93), and the outdoor 10,000 (30:58.48, finishing behind teammate and fellow Kenyan Aron Rono) to collect a pair of All-America honors and help pace Azusa Pacific to the NAIA indoor and outdoor national championships ... Was also the GSAC runner-up in the 1500-meters (3:50.70) ... Recorded season-bests of 14:25.61 (5000), and 29:47.76 (10,000).
CROSS COUNTRY: Was a 4-time NAIA All-American in cross country, including 3 years with Azusa Pacific when he finished in the top 5 of the NAIA meet each year, second (2010), fourth (2009) and third (2008) ... Won the GSAC title in 2010 and 2009 and finished second in 2008 ... Clocked the second-fastest 8K in school history in winning the 2010 Titan Invitational with a 23:48 ... Record 2 other sub-24 8Ks, including a 23:49 to win the 2009 Charles Bowles Invitational at Willamette University in Salem, Ore. ... In winning the 2010 GSAC championship with a 24:11, recorded the second fastest time in conference history.
SIMPSON: Attended NAIA-member Simpson University in Redding, Calif., for his 2007-08 academic year, competing for the Red Hawks' cross country team ... Captured the university's first-ever All-America honor by finishing 13th at the NAIA championships in Kenosha, Wis., with a 25:07 ... Was the National Christian College Athletic Association runner-up with a 25:18 on a course at Cedarville (Ohio) University ... Simpson did not have a track & field program.
PERSONAL: Born Nov. 23, 1986, in Trans-Nzoia District, Rift Valley Province of Kenya ... Parents are Kimagut (farmer) and Jennifar (housewife) Sang ... Has 2 brothers and 2 sisters ... Majoring in accounting.
Magut Career Bests
800m..........1:57.30 5000m........14:25.61
1500m.........3:49.22 10,000m......29:43.49
Mile..........4:15.40
Magut All-America Honors
5000m (i).................2009-10
10,000 (o)...................2009
