By Scott Sullivan
LANSING (6/28/03) and GRAND RAPIDS (7/19/03) -- Boaz Cheboiywo is always redeeming himself -- from his own expectations, mostly.

The short-statured, long-striding Kenyan claimed fame as an Eastern Michigan University junior, winning NCAA cross-country and 10,000-meter track titles.

Cheboiywo's senior year -- brilliant by anyone else's standards -- was hindered by minor health problems and a wrong turn that prevented him and EMU from defending their conference cross crowns. For a guy who expects to win everything, this was tough.

So Cheboiywo's professional debut -- a win in the first of four statewide Standard Federal Bank 10Ks this summer, held June 28 in Lansing -- seemed like vindication, especially facing a field jet-fueled by Hansons Olympic Development Team members.

How fast were these guys? Ask defending-champ David Kimeli, who fell to 15th this year despite running a speedy 31:51.

Cheboiywo's 29:39 earned him $500. Close behind were Hansonites Kevin Doyle in 29:42 (good for $350) and Joe Gibson in 29:58 ($250).

Mike Scannell, 41, of Grand Blanc, earned $150 as men's masters winner. He was 13th overall in 31:21, which would have won last year's race.

Seana Larson, 33, of Dexter, topped Rachel Graybill, also 33, of Detroit, for the women's title, 36:43 to 36:59. Michigan Runner's 2002 Runner of the Year Laurie Decker, 43, of Cadillac, ran 39:12 to finish as master's queen.

Cheboiywo, 14th at Atlanta's Peachtree 10K six days later, again "redeemed" himself winning the second Standard Federal 10K July 19 in Grand Rapids. His 29:30 was nine seconds faster than Hansonite Jeff Campbell, 31. John Kariuki -- a Kenyan who trains in Hemlock, west of Saginaw -- placed third in 29:47.

Romanian Denisa Costescu, 27 -- another world star training in Michigan (Novi) this summer -- edged Larson for the women's title, 35:54 to 36:02. Recent Central Michigan University graduate Brook Creed (36:24) placed third.

Scannell (31:21) and Decker (38:40) repeated as masters champs.

Standard Federal's second-annual Michigan 10K series continued with a Kalamazoo race Aug. 16, and ends with a blowout Sept. 13 in Auburn Hills.

For results to date and/or more information, visit www.standardfederalbank10k.com or phone 1-877-904-5408 toll-free. MR