Joy Jepleting Named Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Year
Tennessee Tech women’s cross country runner Joy Jepleting has been named Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) female Freshman of the Year, as announced today by the conference.
By Jeff Bowe, TTU Athletics Media Relations
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee Tech women's cross country runner Joy Jepleting has been named Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Freshman of the Year, as announced today by the conference.
Joy Jepleting posted personal bests in the 5k (18:08.9) at the Louisville Classic and 6k (21:57.2) at the Angel Mounds Invitational to highlight her first year with the Golden Eagles. Jepleting capped the regular season with a 21st (6k; 21:57.2) at the Angel Mounds Invitational. This is the first time a Golden Eagle has won this award since 2021, when Ruby Wyles took home the Freshman of the Year honor. Tennessee Tech has now earned the OVC Female Freshman of the Year honor four times in program history.
The Freshman from Nairobi, Kenya, ran a time of 18:30.1 in the 5k at the Southern Showcase to open her 2025 campaign. Jepleting was the fourth-fastest time on the team. Her times and finishes during the 2025 Cross Country regular season can be found here.
Jepleting was the third-fastest Golden Eagle at the most recent competition, the Angel Mounds Invitational on Oct. 17. She was one of six freshmen to finish in the Top 21, helping Tech to a second-place finish, its best of the season.
UP NEXT
Tennessee Tech men's and women's cross country is back in action at the OVC Cross Country Championships on Friday, Oct. 31. Eastern Illinois is the host, with the men's 8K race set to begin at 9 a.m. CT, followed by the women's 6K race at 10 a.m. CT.
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