Oklahoma State University Athletics
Denis Kipngetich named USTFCCCA Midwest Region Outdoor Men’s Track Athlete of the Year
June 18, 2026 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State distance runner Denis Kipngetich was named U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Midwest Region Outdoor Men's Track Athlete of the Year, the organization announced Thursday.
Kipngetich earned first team All-America honors in the 10,000 Meters with his fourth-place finish at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. He was also a second team All-American in the 5,000 Meters two nights later as he finished 11th overall. Kipngetich was also the Big 12 runner-up in the 10,000 Meters and finished the regular season with the No. 2 and No. 3 marks in the NCAA in the 5K (13:13.43) and 10K (27:38.36), respectively.
He wraps up an incredible junior season in which he was an All-American in cross country with his sixth-place finish and a first team All-American indoors, placing seventh in the 5,000 Meters. His sixth-place finish at the NCAA Cross Country Championships helped the Cowboys secure the program's sixth NCAA title and second in the last three seasons, both of which he played a major role in.
Kipngetich is the fourth Cowboy to be named USTFCCCA Midwest Region Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year, joining fellow distance runners German Fernandez in 2009, Alex Maier in 2022 and teammate Brian Musau in 2025. Nick Miller won the award for the best field athlete in the region twice in 2014 and 2016.
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