Oklahoma State University Athletics
Billah Jepkirui named USTFCCCA Midwest Region Indoor Women’s Track Athlete of the Year
March 19, 2026 | Cowgirl Cross Country & Track
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State distance runner Billah Jepkirui was named U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches' Association (USTFCCCA) Midwest Region Indoor Women's Track Athlete of the Year following her All-America campaign, the organization announced Thursday.
Jepkirui is the fourth Cowgirl in program history to win the award, joining Sinclaire Johnson (2019) and Taylor Roe (2022 & 2024). She finished her indoor season as a two-time first team All-American in the Mile and 3,000 Meters, the first Cowgirl to accomplish the feat since Taylor Roe in 2023 (3K, DMR). She was also a two-time Big 12 Champion this season in the 1,000 Meters and Mile, breaking both meet records in the process. For her performances, she was Big 12 High Point Award winner with her 20 points scored at the conference meet.
Earlier in the season, Jepkirui anchored the OSU women's Distance Medley Relay to the second-fastest time in NCAA history and a new school record of 10:43.10 at the Arkansas Qualifier. She also broke the school record in the Mile with her time of 4:22.92 at the Husky Classic in Seattle, becoming the fourth-fastest miler in NCAA history on tracks of all sizes. Her third school record of the season came in the 3,000 Meters at the Razorback Invitational, where she clocked a time of 8:45.22 to take the meet victory.
With all of her impressive marks and undefeated regular season, Jepkirui was named Big 12 Indoor Women's Performer of the Year, becoming the second Cowgirl to accomplish the feat, with Roe doing so in 2022. She was also named to the Bowerman Watch List, becoming the first Cowgirl in program history to be named to track & field's version of the Heisman list.
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