Billah Jepkirui named Big 12 Women’s Performer of the Year

March 05, 2026 | Cowgirl Cross Country & Track

STILLWATER – Oklahoma State distance runner Billah Jepkirui was named Big 12 Indoor Women's Performer of the Year, the conference announced Thursday.

She is the second woman in program history to win the award, joining Taylor Roe in 2022, who won the award after winning three conference titles (Mile, 3K, DMR) in the same meet.

Jepkirui broke the 17-year-old meet record in the Mile with her time of 4:23.40, which became the NCAA lead after altitude conversion. She won her second Big 12 title of the weekend later in the day in the 1,000 Meters and was later named Big 12 Women's High Point Scorer for her efforts.

Earlier in the season, Jepkirui broke OSU's school record in the Mile at the Husky Classic with her time of 4:22.92, the fourth-fastest mark in NCAA history on tracks of all sizes. Jepkirui also anchored OSU's historic DMR that ran that No. 2 mark in NCAA history at the Arkansas Qualifier with a 4:23 anchor split. She also has an NCAA qualifying mark in the 3,000 Meters as she broke her own school record in the event at the Razorback Invitational.

In the past week, Jepkirui has been named to the Bowerman Watch List, Big 12 Women's High Point Scorer, Big 12 Women's Performer of the Year and USTFCCCA National Athlete of the week for her performances this season and at the conference championships.

She qualified for and is entered in the Mile, 3,000 Meters and Distance Medley Relay next week at the NCAA Indoor Championships, where she will be looking to win her first NCAA title and the program's first since Roe in 2022.

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