BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Freshman Brenda Jepchirchir of the Auburn cross country team was selected as the Southeastern Conference’s Women’s Runner of the Week, the conference office announced Monday.
Making her cross country debut, Jepchirchir outran a field of 328 other participants to capture a win in the women’s 6k race at the Gans Creek Classic in Columbia, Missouri. She set the Gans Creek Cross Country Course record, crossing the line in 19:50.10 to beat her closest competition by 3.6 seconds.
The Iten, Kenya native currently has the fastest 6k time in the SEC this season. Jepchirchir beat out a handful of fellow runners from the SEC as No. 15 Tennessee, No. 22 Ole Miss, No. 11 Florida, Kentucky and host Missouri also appeared in the meet.
Jepchirchir helped lead the women to a sixth-place finish with 182 points.
Up Next
Jepchirchir and the Tigers will be back in action Saturday, Oct. 19 in Madison, Wisconsin at the Pre-Nationals on the Thomas Zimmer Championship Cross Country Course.
SEC Cross Country Weekly Honors - Oct. 1
Men’s Runner of the Week: Kirami Yego, Arkansas
Women’s Runner of the Week: Brenda Jepchirchir, Auburn
Men’s Freshman of the Week: Collins Kiprop Kipngok, Kentucky
Women’s Freshman of the Week: Reagan Gilmore, Florida