Denis Kipngetich and Billah Jepkirui Sweep Big 12 Runner of the Week Awards Following Dominant Cowboy Jamboree Performances

Denis Kipngetich and Billah Jepkirui Sweep Big 12 Runner of the Week Awards Following Dominant Cowboy Jamboree Performances

September 26, 2023 | Cowgirl Cross Country & Track

STILLWATER – Oklahoma State distance runners Denis Kipngetich and Billah Jepkirui were named Big 12 Runners of the Week following their dominant performances at the Cowboy Jamboree, the conference announced Tuesday.

Jepkirui dominated the race from wire-to-wire, defeating teammate Molly Born by 14 seconds with her time of 20:28.6. This is her second Big 12 Runner of the Week award after her victory at the Weis-Crockett Invitational last season in Stillwater. She also led the Cowgirls to a near-perfect score on the day with 16 points over a field led by Texas.

Kipngetich made it an individual sweep for OSU, winning the men's race by 20 seconds over teammate Brian Musau with his time of 23:21.5. In just his first career race, Kipngetich set the sixth-fastest 8K time in course and Jamboree history. His victory helped the Cowboys take down No. 13 Texas by six points overall.

This is the sixth time in program history the Cowboys and Cowgirls have swept the Big 12 Runner of the Week awards, with the previous five occasions listed below:

Natalie Cook and Alex Maier (Sept. 27, 2022)
Taylor Roe and Isai Rodriguez (Sept. 21, 2021)
Sinclaire Johnson and Ashenafi Hatte (Oct. 16, 2018)
Marie Nilsson and Jason Woolhouse (Sept. 10, 2002)
Sara Wells and Junior Vasquez (Sept. 10, 2000)

Up next for the Cowboys and Cowgirls is the Big 12 Cross Country Championships in Ames, Iowa, on October 28. The OSU men have won the last three Big 12 titles, with the women taking the last two overall. During Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Dave Smith's tenure, OSU has taken 16 Big 12 Cross Country titles.

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