MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Frankline Kipruto and Vera Maisaje, both of UT Southern, were named SSAC Men's and Women's Cross Country Runners of the Week. The awards are based on performance for the weekend of October 17.
Frankline Kipruto (UT Southern – SO – Eldoret, Kenya)
- This is his sixth career weekly honor and fourth of 2026
- Kipruto led the Firehawks, finishing second overall at the Kennemer Classic, beating his school record 8K time again with a 23:39
- He averaged 4:45.5 per mile, pacing the No. 6 Firehawks to a runner-up team finish, beating NCAA DI North Alabama and Austin Peay
Vera Maisaje (UT Southern – JR – Lagos, Nigeria)
- This is her fourth consecutive weekly honor
- Maisaje ran an 18:25.6 over the 5K course at the Kennemer Classic, finishing 11th out of 106 runners and was the fastest NAIA competitor in the race
- She averaged 5:55.8 per mile, leading UTS to a sixth place team finish
Previous Winners (Men, Women)
Week 1: Frankline Kipruto (UT Southern), Kristina Stojanovic (William Carey)
Week 2: Jonah Barnhardt (Blue Mountain), Ella Shepherd (Blue Mountain)
Week 3: Frankline Kipruto (UT Southern), Vera Maisaje (UT Southern)
Week 4: Spencer Head (UT Southern), Vera Maisaje (UT Southern)
Week 5: Frankline Kipruto (UT Southern), Vera Maisaje (UT Southern)