BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced Cross Country Weekly Awards for Monday, September 21^st where Bethune-Cookman swept the Men’s side with Andrew Kiplagat being named Runner of the Week along with Jayden Santos-Gonzalez was named Men’s Newcomer of the Week. On the Women’s side, Aliyah Williams from Alabama State was named Runner of the Week and Iyndia Bey from Alabama A&M secured Newcomer of the Week.
 
SWAC Cross Country Men’s Runner of the Week: Andrew Kipagat, Bethune-Cookman
The Junior from Chebara, Kenya made his impact in the FSU Pre-Regional, placing fourth individually with a time of 24:36.8 while aiding his team to the 13^th place overall finish. Kipagat is a well-known name in the SWAC as Kipaglat helped Bethune-Cookman capture the 2025 SWAC Championship and was an individual champion during his sophomore year. Kipagat adds another weekly award to his collegiate resume and will continue his path to adding more success to the program.
 
SWAC Cross Country Men’s Newcomer of the Week: Jayden Santos-Gonzalez, Bethune-Cookman
The Sophomore from Orlando, Florida placed 24^th individually at the FSU Pre-Regional adding a time of 25:18.3 and continues to adjust to a championship level program. As he builds on his collegiate career, adding to his resume, Jayden Santos-Gonzalez adds his first weekly award of the season.
 
SWAC Cross Country Women’s Runner of the Week: Aliyah Williams, Alabama State
The Graduate Student from Stockton, California continues building her decorated resume following her weekly award. Williams placed second individually in the Montevallo Falcon Classic with a time of 18:44.3, while helping Alabama State place 5^th overall out of 10 teams. Williams looks continue building on the season as the 2026 SWAC Championships inches closer with her first weekly award of the season.
 
SWAC Cross Country Women’s Runner of the Week: Iyndia Bey, Alabama A&M
The Freshman from Chesterfield, Virginia helped Alabama A&M capture the Women’s 5K Championship at the Southern Showcase, finishing 19^th overall with a time of 19:39.3.  Bey was the Bulldogs’ fifth scorer, earning 17 team points as Alabama A&M placed all five scoring runners among the top 20. Her performance helped the Bulldogs finish with 48 points, defeat runner-up Pima Community College by 24 points and secure their second consecutive team championship. Iyndia Bey opens the new week with her first weekly honor of the season.

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
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