DALLAS – Middle Tennessee and Jacksonville State each picked up two Conference USA Cross Country Athlete of the Week honors following the opening weekend of competition.
 
CUSA Women's Athlete of the Week – Evalyne Wambui, MTSU – So. – Kenya
In her Blue Raider’s debut, Evalyne Wambui finished first in the women’s 5K at the Memphis Twilight Classic in Memphis, Tenn. against a stacked field of 168 competitors. The sophomore posted an outstanding time of 16:37.71, setting a new meet record and surpassing the previous mark by 0.99 seconds.
 
CUSA Men's Athlete of the Week – Allan Kiplagat, MTSU – Jr. – Iten, Kenya
Allan Kiplagat successfully defended his title at the Memphis Twilight Classic in Memphis, Tenn., winning the men’s four-mile race for the second consecutive year. The junior posted a victorious time of 18:54.26, beating a competitive field of 186 racers and leading the Blue Raiders to a team win over programs such as No. 4 Alabama.
 
CUSA Women's Freshman of the Week – Mercy Sergon, Jax State – Fr. – Kabarnet, Kenya
Mercy Sergon began her collegiate career in extraordinary fashion after running a 17:08.7 5k to break the school record at the Foothills Invitational this past weekend. That time broke the previous program record by nearly 13 seconds and placed her second overall in the women's event. Sergon's efforts also helped Jax State bring home a runner-up finish in the team results.
 
CUSA Men's Freshman of the Week - Shadrack Kipkurgat, Jax State - R-Fr. - Eldoret, Kenya
In his first collegiate cross country meet, Shadrack Kipkurgat placed second overall at the Foothills Invitational in Oxford, Ala. His 5k time of 15:04.8 finished just over two seconds behind Auburn's first place finisher, Max Hardin. Kipkurgat's result helped lead Jacksonville State to a team victory in the men's event over programs such as Auburn and Samford.
 
2026 Women’s Athlete of the Week
S8          Evalyne Wambui, MTSU
 
2026 Men’s Athlete of the Week
S8          Allan Kiplagat, MTSU
 
2026 Women’s Freshman of the Week
S8          Mercy Sergon, Jax State
 
2026 Men’s Freshman of the Week
S8          Shadrack Kipkurgat, Jax State