Oklahoma State University Athletics
Billah Jepkirui and Denis Kipngetich sweep Big 12 Runner of the Week honors after impressive Cowboy Jamboree performances
September 29, 2026 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State cross country athletes Billah Jepkirui and Denis Kipngetich swept Big 12 Runner of the Week honors after their performances at the Cowboy Jamboree this past weekend, the conference announced Tuesday.
This is the third career Big 12 Runner of the Week honor for Jepkirui and the 14th in program history. She was also named USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week after winning Saturday's Cowboy Jamboree in impressive fashion, breaking the Jamboree meet record and the Greiner Family OSU Cross Country course record with her time of 19:24.4, breaking the previous course record of 19:27.7 set by national champion Katelyn Tuohy at the 2022 NCAA Cross Country Championships.
Meanwhile, Kipngetich continues to insert himself on the long list of Cowboy greats, becoming the 25th Cowboy to be named Big 12 Runner of the Week during the cross country season and the second honor of his career. He finished second at the Jamboree in a field of 215 runners, crossing the line with a time of 23:25.4 and defeating multiple 2025 cross country All-Americans.
This is the sixth time in program history that OSU has swept the Big 12 Runner of the Week awards and the second time Kipngetich and Jepkirui have done so, with all six occasions listed below.
Sept. 19, 2000 – Junior Vasquez and Sara Wells
Sept. 10, 2002 – Jason Woolhouse and Marie Nilsson
Oct. 16, 2018 – Ashenafi Hatte and Sinclaire Johnson
Sept. 21, 2021 – Isai Rodriguez and Taylor Roe
Sept. 27, 2022 – Alex Maier and Natalie Cook
Sept. 26, 2023 - Denis Kipngetich and Billah Jepkirui
Sept. 29, 2026 – Denis Kipngetich and Billah Jepkirui
The Cowboys and Cowgirls return to the Greiner Family OSU Cross Country Course on Oct. 17 in their last regular season action before hosting the Big 12 Championships on Halloween.
For more information on the Cowboys and Cowgirls, continue to check back with okstate.com.
This is the third career Big 12 Runner of the Week honor for Jepkirui and the 14th in program history. She was also named USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week after winning Saturday's Cowboy Jamboree in impressive fashion, breaking the Jamboree meet record and the Greiner Family OSU Cross Country course record with her time of 19:24.4, breaking the previous course record of 19:27.7 set by national champion Katelyn Tuohy at the 2022 NCAA Cross Country Championships.
Meanwhile, Kipngetich continues to insert himself on the long list of Cowboy greats, becoming the 25th Cowboy to be named Big 12 Runner of the Week during the cross country season and the second honor of his career. He finished second at the Jamboree in a field of 215 runners, crossing the line with a time of 23:25.4 and defeating multiple 2025 cross country All-Americans.
This is the sixth time in program history that OSU has swept the Big 12 Runner of the Week awards and the second time Kipngetich and Jepkirui have done so, with all six occasions listed below.
Sept. 19, 2000 – Junior Vasquez and Sara Wells
Sept. 10, 2002 – Jason Woolhouse and Marie Nilsson
Oct. 16, 2018 – Ashenafi Hatte and Sinclaire Johnson
Sept. 21, 2021 – Isai Rodriguez and Taylor Roe
Sept. 27, 2022 – Alex Maier and Natalie Cook
Sept. 26, 2023 - Denis Kipngetich and Billah Jepkirui
Sept. 29, 2026 – Denis Kipngetich and Billah Jepkirui
The Cowboys and Cowgirls return to the Greiner Family OSU Cross Country Course on Oct. 17 in their last regular season action before hosting the Big 12 Championships on Halloween.
For more information on the Cowboys and Cowgirls, continue to check back with okstate.com.
Players Mentioned
Distance
/ Cowboy Cross Country & TrackTuesday, September 29
Tuesday, September 29
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Monday, September 28
