Dallas – Middle Tennessee’s Allan Kiplagat and Faith Nyathi have been selected as this week’s Conference USA Men’s and Women’s Athletes of the Week. Jacksonville State swept the Freshman of the Week titles with Nelbat Kirwa and Jepkurui Kurgoi taking the honors.

Men’s Athlete of the Week – Allan Kiplagat– MTSU – So. – Iten, Kenya
Kiplagat had an excellent race on Friday at the Southern Showcase, finishing third out of 459 runners with a blazing 8k time of 23:22.1 — now the sixth-fastest mark ever recorded at John Hunt Park. The reigning NCAA All-American is off to a tremendous start this season, building on his victory at the Memphis Twilight Classic with a podium finish at one of the most competitive meets of the year.

Men’s Freshman of the Week – Nelbat Kirwa – Jax State – Fr. – Eldoret, Kenya
Kirwa placed 61st in this past weekend’s Southern Showcase out of 349 athletes with a time of 24:48.68. Kirwa was the second Gamecock to cross the finish line. With the help of Kirwa, Jax State managed a 10th place team finish out of 48 teams. His time is the 12th best 8K time in Jax State program history.

Women’s Athlete of the Week – Faith Nyathi – MTSU – Sr. – Plumtree, Zimbabwe
Nyathi ran a personal best in the 5k at the Southern Showcase on Friday, placing third out of 481 runners with a time of 16:35.2. The senior’s performance marks the fastest of her career and continues her stellar senior campaign, coming just two weeks after her victory at the Memphis Twilight Classic.
 
Women’s Freshman of the Week – Jepkurui Kurgoi – Jax State – Fr. – Eldoret, Kenya
Kurgoi set a new program record in the 5k with a time of 17:21.06, taking home 30th place and finishing among the top 10 freshman at the Southern Showcase in Huntsville, Ala. She helped the Gamecocks to a 12th place finish out of 52 teams. Through two career meets, Kurgoi holds two of the top four spots in Jax State’s program history in the 5k.

2025 Men’s Athlete of the Week
S2        Collins KipKemboi, Kennesaw State
S16      Allan Kiplagat, MTSU

2025 Men’s Freshman of the Week
S2        Nolan McGregor, Jacksonville State
S16      Nelbat Kirwa, Jacksonville State

2025 Women’s Athlete of the Week
S2        Mercy Jebet, Jacksonville State
S16      Faith Nyathi, MTSU

2025 Women’s Freshman of the Week
S2         Mercy Jebet, Jacksonville State
S16      Jepkurui Kurgoi, Jacksonville State