AUBURN, Ala. - Auburn track & field freshman Brenda Jepchirchir was named the Southeastern Conference’s Women’s Freshman of the Week, the conference office announced Tuesday.
Competing in her second indoor meet for the Tigers, Jepchirchir ran a time of 9:08.37 in the women’s 3000m at the Orange & Purple Invitational in Clemson, South Carolina. Jepchirchir’s time set the new freshman record for the program, beating Joyce Kimeli’s 2019 record of 9:24.59.
Her time placed her fourth on Auburn’s Indoor Top Performers List. She had the second fastest time in the SEC and 18th-fastest time nationally.
The Iten, Kenya native finished the race second overall, beating out 50 other competitors. Jepchirchir raced against fellow runners from No. 6 Alabama, Georgia Tech, Mississippi State, No. 24 Tennessee and host No.3 Clemson who appeared at the meet.
During the cross country season, Jepchirchir was awarded SEC Women’s Runner of the Week and SEC Women’s Freshman of the Year.
Up next, Jepchirchir and the Tigers will be back in action this weekend, January 31 – February 1 at the Bob Pollock Invitational in Clemson, South Carolina.
SEC Track & Field Weekly Honors – Jan.28
Men’s Runner of the Week: Abdullahi Hassan, Mississippi State
Men’s Field Athlete of the Week: Sam Innes, Missouri
Men’s Freshman of the Week: Adekalu (Nicholas) Fakorede, Mississippi State
Women’s Runner of the Week: Jaiya Covington, Texas A&M
Women’s Co-Field Athlete of the Week: Elena Kulichenko, Georgia
Women’s Co-Field Athlete of the Week: Olivia Lueking, Oklahoma
Women’s Freshman of the Week: Brenda Jepchirchir, Auburn