The Eastern New Mexico cross country program saw four student-athletes earn all-conference honors after the 2021 LSC Cross Country Championships this past Saturday. Kelvin Kipkemboi was awarded Men’s Newcomer of the Year, along with all-conference recognition. Aminata Kenyawani and Dorcas Kosgei also received all-conference honors, while Kayla Sisneros was named Academic Runner of the Year and earned a place on the 2021 Women’s Cross Country All-Academic Team, as announced by the conference office on Monday afternoon.

Kipkemboi earned LSC Men’s Newcomer of the Year after his time of 26:10.88 on the 8K championship course, earning 10th place. The top-10 finish earned LSC All-Conference honors, awarded to the top-15 runners in their respective race. In 2019, Kenyawani won Women’s Newcomer of the Year after her performance during the 2019 LSC Championships, and 2018 saw Evaline Cheptoo pick up Women’s Newcomer of Year following the 2018 LSC Championships.

In the women’s race, Kenyawani and Kosgei placed in the top-15 during the 6K race, earning LSC All-Conference honors. Kenyawani’s time of 22:42.83 put her in 9th, while Kosgei crossed the line with a time of 23:21.25, finishing in 15th place.

Sisneros was named as the Academic Runner of the Year, along with being named to the 2021 Women’s Cross Country All-Academic Team for her efforts in the classroom throughout the season. This is the first time Sisneros has made the LSC All-Academic Team. Prior to this award, Sisneros was recognized on the LSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll for four straight semesters (Fall 2019, Spring 2020, Fall 2020, and Spring 2021). To be eligible for LSC academic honors, student-athletes must carry at least a 3.30 grade point average and have reached sophomore status both athletically and academically. The Academic Runner of the Year is awarded to the student athlete that received the most votes for the All-Academic team.