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

Men’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week
Silas Kiptanui, Jr., Tulane
Kiptanui earned his first career collegiate cross country individual meet victory after finishing at the front of the field at the Battle for New Orleans at Lake Oaks Park in New Orleans. Kiptanui logged an average mile split of 4:47.2 while running a winning time of 14:21.7 in the 4.828K race, leading 10 Tulane athletes who finished in the top 12 on the way to scoring 18 team points and securing the team win.

Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week
Petra Dos Santos, Sr., Tulane
Dos Santos joined the collegiate individual winner’s circle for the first time in the women’s 4K at the Battle for New Orleans, helping guide Tulane to 18 points and a team sweep at the meet. Dos Santos crossed the finish line with a time of 13:48.0 (5:33.1 average mile) to best runner-up and teammate Blezzin Kimutai by more than 18 seconds.