IRVING, Texas – The American Conference has announced the fourth weekly cross country honors of the 2026 season.

Men’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week
Silas Kiptanui, Jr., Tulane
Kiptanui claimed first place in the Men’s Blue 8K race at the Under Armour Pre-National Invitational on Oct. 16 in Terre Haute, Indiana. Kiptanui logged a time of 23:17.4 (4:41.1 average mile) to best over 340 other competitors in the field, including Wichita State rivals Elkana Kipruto (23:18.8, runner-up) and Nicholas Kipchirchir (23:19.8, third place).

Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week
Blezzin Kimutai, Jr., Tulane
Kimutai registered a top-10 individual finish in guiding Tulane to a third-place team showing at the Arturo Barrios Invitational on Oct. 16 in College Station. Kimutai clocked a women’s 6K time of 19:33.9 (5:14.8 average mile) to place eighth in a field of over 400 individuals entries.