BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced the weekly awards for Cross Country for the date of September 28, 2026. On the Men’s Side, Jackson State’s Ryan Achau was named the Men’s Runner of the Week along with Southern’s Malachi Simonet being named Newcomer of the Week. On the Women’s Side, Alabama State swept the awards with Aliyah Williams earning Runner of the Week along with Malaya Johnson earning Newcomer of the Week.
 
SWAC Cross Country Men’s Runner of the Week: Ryan Achau, Jackson State
For the second time in his collegiate career, the freshman from Baringo, Kenya recorded his second consecutive individual victory, clocking a 14:59.41 time in the Men’s 5K while helping the Tigers place second in the Warhawk Invitational, hosted by ULM. Achau continues to build on his collegiate career with his second weekly honor and will turn his attention to Nicholls XC Invitational on Saturday, October 3^rd.
 
SWAC Cross Country Men’s Newcomer of the Week: Malachi Simonet, Southern
The Freshman from Lake Charles, Louisiana was the second fastest Jaguar at the McNeese Stampede, finishing with a personal best time of 21:58.8 in the four-mile race run on his return to his hometown. As Simonet adds his first weekly honor of the season, he will turn his attention to Nicholls XC Invitational on Saturday, October 3rd.
 
SWAC Cross Country Women’s Runner of the Week: Aliyah Williams, Alabama State
The Graduate from Stockton, California adds her second consecutive weekly honor, following a third-place finish at the Azalea City Classic clocking a time of 18:32.57 which was her season-best time. As Williams continues to build her resume, she will turn her focus towards the Florida State Invitational on Friday, October 9^th.
 
SWAC Cross Country Women’s Newcomer of the Week: Malaya Johnson, Alabama State
The Freshman from Rogers, Arkansas adds her first weekly honor the season following 15^th place overall finish at the Azalea City Classic, clocking a time of 19:30.47. As Johnson continues building her collegiate resume, she turns her attention to the final meet before Championship season at the Florida State Invitational on Friday, October 9^th.
 
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.