Judy Chepkoech Named USTFCCCA Women’s DI National Athlete of the Week
Monday, October 12, 2026 | Cross Country
Chepkoech finished first at the Nuttycombe Invitational with a time of 19:19.5, which is the second-fastest ever at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Course.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Junior Judy Chepkoech has been named this week's USTFCCCA Women's DI National Athlete of the Week, following her performance at the Nuttycombe Invitational where she took home the individual title.
At the Nuttycombe Invitational, Chepkoech crossed the finish line with a late surge to finish with a time of 19:19.5, winning the women's championship race by 0.1 seconds. Chepkoech's time is the second-fastest ever at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Course, behind former Gator Parker Valby's time of 19:17 set in 2023.
Chepkoech's finish helped power the Gators to a second place team finish with 111 points, which topped 14 ranked teams including the No. 3, 4, and 5 teams in country. Chepkoech's time also put her above 13 runners that are ranked in the FloTrack Cross Country Individual Ranking, which includes the No. 3, 7, and 8 runners in the rankings, who were ranked above Chepkoech, who is 11th in the rankings.
Chepkoech joins Kelvin Cheruiyot as Gators who have been named a USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week, as Cheruiyot earned the honor after his first place finish at the John McNichols Invitational.
The Gators are back in action when they head to Columbia, Mo. for the SEC Championships on Oct. 30.
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At the Nuttycombe Invitational, Chepkoech crossed the finish line with a late surge to finish with a time of 19:19.5, winning the women's championship race by 0.1 seconds. Chepkoech's time is the second-fastest ever at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Course, behind former Gator Parker Valby's time of 19:17 set in 2023.
Chepkoech's finish helped power the Gators to a second place team finish with 111 points, which topped 14 ranked teams including the No. 3, 4, and 5 teams in country. Chepkoech's time also put her above 13 runners that are ranked in the FloTrack Cross Country Individual Ranking, which includes the No. 3, 7, and 8 runners in the rankings, who were ranked above Chepkoech, who is 11th in the rankings.
Chepkoech joins Kelvin Cheruiyot as Gators who have been named a USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week, as Cheruiyot earned the honor after his first place finish at the John McNichols Invitational.
The Gators are back in action when they head to Columbia, Mo. for the SEC Championships on Oct. 30.
FOLLOW THE GATORS
Instagram: @GatorsTF
X: @GatorsTF
#GoGators
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/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
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