Kirwa posted a fourth-place finish with an 8K time of 24:47.23 at the Mountain Dew Invitational hosted by NCAA Division I Florida on Sept. 24. The junior from Eldoret, Kenya, was only 12 seconds behind the individual champion from the University of Michigan and ran against a field of 153 competitors. With his efforts, the No. 21 Eagles placed sixth among 17 teams, most of which were NCAA Division I programs, with 192 team points.
This is the second National Men's Cross Country Runner of the Week honor for Kirwa.
Brenon won the Highlander Invitational hosted by Houghton with a 17:52.48 5K time on Sept. 24. A senior from Endwell, N.Y., Brenon took top honors by seven seconds in a field of 153 runners and helped the Highlanders to a fourth-place finish with 126 team points.
The next Runners of the Week announcement will be on Oct. 5.
Men's Nominees: Mitchell Dale, Olivet Nazarene (Ill.); Ramiro Garcia, Texas Wesleyan; Thomas Zunie, Haskell (Kan.); Andy Coy, Dakota State (S.D.); Aaron Caldwell, Baker (Kan.); Jimmy Oribo, Lewis-Clark State (Idaho); Andrew Hugill, College of Idaho; Joseph (JJ) Koerber, Jamestown (N.D.); Edwin Ronoh, Doane (Neb.); Brian Meyer, Ashford (Iowa); Geoffrey Njonjo, Oklahoma Christian; Matt Pieri, Xavier (La.); Colton McNinch, Southwestern (Kan.); Rashaun Tanner, Emmanuel (Ga.); Stephen Hine, Houghton (N.Y.); Matt McAndrews, Indiana Wesleyan; Fernando Diaz, Holy Names (Calif.).
Women's Nominees: Talisa Budder, Haskell (Kan.); Jessica Davis, Texas Wesleyan; Obsie Birru, Grand View (Iowa); Lauren Jaqua, Baker (Kan.); Hillary Holt, College of Idaho; Aleona Reyes, Jamestown (N.D.); Rhianna Grossman, Carroll (Mont.); Kelsey Christensen, Doane (Neb.); Lauren Versweyveld, Olivet Nazarene (Ill.); Jacqueline Hallam, Oklahoma Christian; Karina Coelho, Embry-Riddle (Fla.); Jennifer Hendrixson, Southwestern (Kan.); Monicah Jepkemboi, Southern-New Orleans (La.); Alexandria Weathersby, Missouri Baptist; Beka Bentle, Indiana Wesleyan; Kimberly Spencer, William Jessup (Calif.).
2011 Composite Award Winners (Men's; Women's)
Week 1: Evans Kirwa, Embry-Riddle (Fla.); Lauren Jimison, Azusa Pacific (Calif.)
Week 2: John Gilbertson, The Master's (Calif.); Gina Paletta, Concordia (Ore.)
Week 3: Evans Kirwa, Embry-Riddle (Fla.); Danielle Brenon, Houghton (N.Y.)
