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

Men’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week
Nicholas Kipchirchir, Sr., Wichita State
Kipchirchir turned in a standout performance for Wichita State at the Gans Creek Classic on Sept. 25 at the Gans Creek Cross Country Course in Columbia, Missouri. Kipchirchir finished the Men’s Golf Invite 8K in third place with a time of 22:40.5 and a 4:33.7 mile split, helping guide Wichita State to a third-place team showing with 170 points.

Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week
Kathryn Koonts, R-So., Tulsa
Koonts was the top conference finisher in the Women’s Habanero 5K at the Chile Pepper Festival on Oct. 2-3 at Agri Park in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Koonts ran a 5K PR time of 16:03.7 to finish in third place individually and guide to a third-place team result with 89 points.