Doris Lemngole Repeats as USTFCCCA National Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Year

Alabama distance star Doris Lemngole has once again etched her name into collegiate running history.

For the second straight season, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association has selected the Crimson Tide junior as the Lance Harter National Women’s Athlete of the Year, solidifying her place among the sport’s elite.

Lemngole’s latest honor comes on the heels of a remarkable year that has showcased both her consistency and her competitive fire.

Only two months after placing fifth in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the World Championships while representing Kenya, she delivered one of her most commanding cross country performances to date.

In the closing stages of the national championship race, Lemngole pulled away fashionably from the field to claim her third national title of the 2025 season.

INCREDIBLE.

Her winning time of 18:25.4 not only secured her the repeat crown. but also set new meet and course records.

That's just how amazing she is.

With this achievement, Lemngole becomes the first woman in 14 years to win back-to-back national cross country titles, joining an exclusive club of dominant collegiate runners.

She is also the first female athlete since Villanova’s Sheila Reid (2010–11) to earn consecutive National Women’s Athlete of the Year honors.

Her recognition places her among the greatest distance runners in Alabama history.

Lemngole and former Crimson Tide standout Mercy Chelangat, are now the only two Alabama athletes to receive this prestigious award, giving the program three national athlete of the year selections.

Within the SEC, only four women have ever earned this distinction: Lemngole (2024, 2025), Florida’s Parker Valby (2023), Chelangat (2020), and Missouri’s Karissa Schweizer (2016).

This national award adds to a long list of accolades Lemngole collected throughout the season.

She earned first-team All-SEC and All-America honors for her victories at both the conference and national meets. She was also named the 2025 SEC Women’s Runner of the Year and received USTFCCCA South Region Athlete of the Year recognition.

With every race, Lemngole continues to elevate not only her own legacy, but the standard of excellence for Alabama distance running.

Congrats, Doris!

Roll Tide!