Cheruiyot and Stegall Named SEC Freshman of the Week
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 | Track and Field
Kelvin Cheruiyot and Claire Stegall represent the Gators after record breaking performances In Seattle and Boston.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Two Florida track and field freshmen have earned SEC Weekly honors following a weekend of standout performances, the conference announced Tuesday.
Kelvin Cheruiyot claimed Men's Freshman of the Week honors after winning the 5000m at the Husky Classic in Seattle. Cheruiyot clocked a conference-leading 13:15.57, ranking as the top freshman and fifth overall performer in the NCAA this season. The Samitui, Kenya native set a new men's 5000m facility record at the Dempsey Indoor Center and shattered his own No. 1 program record by nearly 15 seconds. The honor marks his first SEC weekly award of the indoor season and fifth overall, adding to the two weekly and two postseason honors he earned during cross country competition.
Claire Stegall earned SEC Co-Freshman of the Week recognition after a record-breaking performance at the BU Valentine Invitational in Boston. Stegall ran a 4:25.91 mile, making her the fastest women's miler in SEC history. She now holds Florida's program record in the event, and her time ranks No. 16 on the all-time collegiate indoor list. Stegall shares the weekly honor with Georgia freshman sprinter Adaejah Hodge.
The Gators return to the track in College Station, Tex. for the SEC Championships, set for Feb. 26-28.
FOLLOW THE GATORS
Instagram: @GatorsTF
X: @GatorsTF
#GoGators
Kelvin Cheruiyot claimed Men's Freshman of the Week honors after winning the 5000m at the Husky Classic in Seattle. Cheruiyot clocked a conference-leading 13:15.57, ranking as the top freshman and fifth overall performer in the NCAA this season. The Samitui, Kenya native set a new men's 5000m facility record at the Dempsey Indoor Center and shattered his own No. 1 program record by nearly 15 seconds. The honor marks his first SEC weekly award of the indoor season and fifth overall, adding to the two weekly and two postseason honors he earned during cross country competition.
Claire Stegall earned SEC Co-Freshman of the Week recognition after a record-breaking performance at the BU Valentine Invitational in Boston. Stegall ran a 4:25.91 mile, making her the fastest women's miler in SEC history. She now holds Florida's program record in the event, and her time ranks No. 16 on the all-time collegiate indoor list. Stegall shares the weekly honor with Georgia freshman sprinter Adaejah Hodge.
The Gators return to the track in College Station, Tex. for the SEC Championships, set for Feb. 26-28.
FOLLOW THE GATORS
Instagram: @GatorsTF
X: @GatorsTF
#GoGators
Players Mentioned
FR/FR | Distance
/ Track and Field
FR/FR | Distance
/ Track and FieldFlorida Track and Field | One-on-One with Mike Holloway
Saturday, February 07
One-on-One with Mike Holloway
Saturday, February 07
Florida Track & Field | Gator Women Win 4x400m Relay, Penn/Cox/Campbell/Sutton 3:34.55
Thursday, January 22
Florida Track & Field | Tyra Cox, Quincy Penn and Sydney Sutton Sweep Women's 300m 😮💨
Sunday, January 18
