BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced Cross Country Weekly Awards with Thierry Garcon from Prairie View A&M and Ryan Achau from Jackson State being named Runners of the Week on the Men’s side along with Lea Murphy from Prairie View A&M and Sya Bolden from Jackson State on the Women’s Side.
 

SWAC Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Week: Thierry Garcon, Prairie View A&M
The Senior from Houston, Texas opened his Senior season at the Bearkat Twilight in Huntsville, Texas, securing an individual victory with 16:04.6 time. As a team, Prairie View A&M finished with a third-place finish. Garcon earns his first weekly award of the season and returns to action on September 11, 2026, at the Texas A&M Invitational in College Station, Texas.
 
SWAC Men’s Cross Country Newcomer of the Week: Ryan Achau, Jackson State
The Freshman from Baringo, Kenya opened his collegiate career with an individual first place finish at the MC Opener at Choctow Trails, finishing with a 15:05.3 time in the Men’s 5K. Jackson State finished with a fifth-place finish behind Mississippi Christian, ULM, Mobile and MC Alumni. Achau’s collegiate debut on the course helps secure his first weekly honor and he will return to action on September 25, 2026, at the ULM Cross Country Invitational in Monroe, Louisiana.
 
SWAC Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Week: Lea Murphy, Prairie View A&M
The Junior from Pearland, Texas opened the 2026 campaign at the Bearkat Twilight with an individual third-place finish in the Women’s 5K with a time of 19.58.2. Prairie View A&M placed overall, starting the season on a high note with Murphy having a podium finish. Murphy opens the season with her first weekly award and will shift her focus to the 50^th Rice Invitational in Houston, Texas on Friday, September 11, 2026.
 
SWAC Women’s Cross Country Newcomer of the Week: Sya Bolden, Jackson State
The Freshman from Lafayette, Louisiana helped Jackson State add a fifth-place finish where she secured a top 25 individual finish with a time of 20:51.8. Bolden opens her collegiate career with a notable finish followed by a weekly award and will now turn her focus to the ULM Cross Country Invitational.
 
About the SWAC
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country and currently ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alumni playing with professional sports teams.

Current championship competition offered by the league includes competition for men in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, and Tennis. 

Women’s competitions are offered in the sports of Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, and Volleyball.
 
Follow the SWAC
For complete coverage of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, please follow the SWAC on social media at @TheSWAC on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter or visit the official website of the SWAC at www.swac.org.