NEW ORLEANS – Eastern Kentucky University freshman Brighter Jepchumba has been named the Women's Cross Country Division I National Athlete of the Week by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
 
Jepchumba won the women's championship race at the loaded John McNichols Invitational on Saturday in Terre Haute, Indiana. The native of Uasingishu County, Kenya defeated a field of 230 runners and out-dueled Indiana freshman Katy Zang down the homestretch to take the victory.
 
Jepchumba's winning time of 19:14.0 broke the LaVern Gibson Championship Course 6K record, set by former Texas Tech national champion and Olympian  Sally Kipyego.
 
The USTFCCCA Men's National Athlete of the Week is Florida's Kelvin Cheruiyot.
 
Jepchumba is the first EKU woman ever to be named USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week in cross country.
 
Three EKU men have received the honor – James Sugira in 2018, Erick Rotich in 2016 and Soufiane Bouchikhi in 2013.