BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Collins Kiprop Kipngok received his first career collegiate laurel on Tuesday, as he was tabbed as the SEC Men’s Freshman of the Week for his performance at the Gans Creek Classic last Friday.

The Nakuru, Kenya native, racing in only his second career collegiate event, finished 15^th in the 8k at the Gans Creek Classic in Columbia, Missouri. Kiprop Kipngok ran the race in a time of 23:33.0, a mark that would have bettered the previous course and meet record at the Gans Creek Cross Country Course. Kentucky sophomore Ed Bird won the individual title at the event and set the new course and meet record at 23:07.6

Entering the meet, Kiprop Kipngok was the SEC’s second fastest freshman—and seventh fastest runner— in the 8k due to his outstanding collegiate debut at the Southern Showcase where he placed fifth in a time of 23:45.9. The Kenyan bettered his debut by 12 seconds in Columbia to become the conference’s top freshman on the 2024 charts.

The Wildcats will close out the regular season portion of their schedule at the Bradley Pink Classic on Friday, October 18. Held at the Newman Golf Course in Peoria, Illinois—site of the 2024 NCAA Division I Midwest Regional—the meet will be the last race for Kentucky until postseason action begins on November 1 at the SEC Championships, hosted by Texas A&M.