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

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – For the second consecutive season, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) named Doris Lemngole the Lance Harter National Women's Athlete of the Year.

A mere two months after finishing fifth at the World Championships (3,000m steeplechase | Kenya), Lemngole used a late-race breakaway to secure her third national title of the 2025 calendar year. The standout junior clocked a meet and course-record time of 18:25.4 to defend her individual championship crown, becoming the first back-to-back winner in the women's race in 14 years.

Doris Lemngole – USTFCCCA Lance Harter National Women's Athlete of the Year

First female student-athlete to be selected for the national honor in back-to-back years since Sheila Reid (Villanova) in 2010 and 2011
Joins Mercy Chelangat (2020) as the only two Alabama distance runners to earn the award, giving the Tide three total National Women's Athlete of the Year recognitions
Is one of four student-athletes from a Southeastern Conference school to ever be named the USTFCCCA National Women's Athlete of the Year
- 2024, 2025 – Lemngole, Alabama
- 2023 – Parker Valby, Florida
- 2020 – Chelangat, Alabama
- 2016 – Karissa Schweizer, Missouri
Awarded first-team All-SEC honors and All-America honors for her championship-winning performances at both the conference and national meets
The announcement follows Lemngole receiving 2025 SEC Women's Runner of the Year honor, in addition to her South Region Athlete of the Year recognition by the USTFCCCA

University of Alabama Athletics

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

Doris Lemngole – USTFCCCA Lance Harter National Women's Athlete of the Year

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