DALLAS – Jacksonville State swept Conference USA’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week awards following week three of competition.
CUSA Women's Athlete of the Week – Viola Jepleting, Jax State – So. – Barsombe, Kenya
Jepleting ran a 17:21.9 at the Southern Showcase in Huntsville, Ala., this past weekend, finishing 24th overall in a field of 309 runners. The sophomore’s result helped Jax State to a No. 7 overall finish out of 31 schools.
CUSA Men's Athlete of the Week – Linus Chepkochei, Jax State – So. – Eldoret, Kenya
Chepkochei competed in his first 8k of the season at the Southern Showcase. The sophomore ran a time of 24:13.0, good for 14th in a field of 304 runners. His result helped Jacksonville State to a No. 6 overall team finish out of 29 schools.
CUSA Women's Freshman of the Week – Mercy Sergon, Jax State – Fr. – Kabarnet, Kenya
For her second CUSA Freshman of the Week honor, Sergon led the Gamecocks at the Southern Showcase with a No. 17 overall finish. The freshman finished with a 5k time of 17:12.2. She was one of two non-Power Four finishers in the top-20 in the event.
CUSA Men's Freshman of the Week - Shadrack Kipkurgat, Jax State - R-Fr. - Eldoret, Kenya
At the Southern Showcase, Kipkurgat placed No. 7 overall in a field of 304 runners, earning him his second CUSA Freshman of the Week title. Kipkurgat led the Gamecocks with a 23:32.0 8k time, breaking the previous school record that stood for 21 years by 30 seconds. He was one of two non-Power Four finishers in the top 10.
2026 Women’s Athlete of the Week
S8 Evalyne Wambui, MTSU
S15 Evalyne Wambui, MTSU
S22 Viola Jepleting, Jax State
2026 Men’s Athlete of the Week
S8 Allan Kiplagat, MTSU
S15 Allan Kiplagat, MTSU
S22 Linus Chepkochei, Jax State
2026 Women’s Freshman of the Week
S8 Mercy Sergon, Jax State
S15 Viviana Salonia, MTSU
S22 Mercy Sergon, Jax State
2026 Men’s Freshman of the Week
S8 Shadrack Kipkurgat, Jax State
S15 N/A
S22 Shadrack Kipkurgat, Jax State