Doris Lemngole Wins Second Consecutive Honda Sport Award for Cross Country

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – For the second year in a row, Alabama's Doris Lemngole was named the Honda Sport Award for Cross Country winner, announced Friday by Chris Voelz, Executive Director of The Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA).

Lemngole has been named a finalist all three years of her Alabama career, winning the award in 2024 and 2025. Additionally, she is the first student-athlete in Crimson Tide history to win the honor twice and the first cross country athlete in 14 years to win in consecutive seasons (Sheila Reid, Villanova, 2010-11).

In her three years at Alabama, Lemngole has become a standout performer for the Crimson Tide as she used a late-race breakaway to defend her individual national title at the NCAA Cross Country Championships. Hailing from West Pokot County, Kenya, she was also named the National Women's Athlete of the Year for Cross Country, by the USTFCCCA, for the second straight year.

Doris Lemngole Said

"It means so much to me to be recognized by the CWSA and Honda again, for another year. I'm very grateful for the people who continue to support me like my teammates and my coaches. The University of Alabama and our support staff have helped me so much, and I want to thank them for everything they do for me. Coming to Alabama has been a blessing, and receiving this award for a second straight year is something I don't take lightly. I'm excited to keep working hard and to share another great season with my team."

Head Coach Dan Waters Said

"We are thrilled for Doris and everything this recognition represents. Earning the Honda Sport Award for Cross Country for a second straight year is a remarkable accomplishment, something that's never been done here at Alabama, and speaks directly to her character and her relentless work ethic. Doris embodies everything we value in this program – humility, drive and a commitment to excellence in every area of her life. While having another Honda Award winner in our program's history is something we take pride in, what matters most is what this moment means for Doris and the example she continues to set."

Doris Lemngole – Honda Sport Award Winner

Back-to-back winner of the Honda Sport Award for Cross Country
- First-ever Alabama student-athlete to achieve the feat
- First cross country student-athlete since Villanova's Sheila Reid who won in 2010 and 2011
2025 USTFCCCA National Women's Athlete of the Year
Claimed the individual national title at the National Championships, becoming the first back-to-back winner in the women's race in 14 years
Defended her title at the SEC Championships
Captured her first individual South Region title
2025 USTFCCCA South Region Women's Athlete of the Year
2025 USTFCCCA All-American and First Team All-SEC honoree

2025 Honda Sport Award

Celebrating its 50^th year, the Honda Sport Award has been presented annually by the CWSA to the top female athletes in 12 NCAA-sanctioned sports
Lemngole (cross country) was selected via a nationwide vote of administrators from over 1,000 NCAA member schools
Lemngole is now a finalist for the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year and the prestigious 2025 Honda Cup
The winner will be presented during the live broadcast of the Collegiate Women Sports Awards, presented by Honda, on CBS Sports Network on Monday, July 27, at 6 p.m. CT

Alabama Athletics + Honda Sport Award Winners

2025 – Doris Lemngole – cross country
2024 – Doris Lemngole – cross country
2023 – Montana Fouts – softball
2021 – Mercy Chelangat – cross country
2015 – Emma Talley – golf
2014 – Kim Jacob – gymnastics – Alabama's first Honda Cup winner
2012 – Brooke Pancake – golf
2011 – Kayla Hoffman – gymnastics
2006 – Ashley Miles – gymnastics
2004 – Jeana Rice – gymnastics
2002 – Andreé Pickens – gymnastics
1993 – Dee Foster – gymnastics
1985-86 – Penney Hauschild – gymnastics

University of Alabama Athletics