Tennessee Sweeps SEC Runner of the Week Honors
September 02, 2025 | Cross Country
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Southeastern Conference office announced Tuesday that Tennessee cross country standouts Zouhair Redouane and Mary Nyaboke Ogwoka claimed weekly honors after their individual victories to open the 2025 season. Redouane was tabbed the SEC Men's Runner of the Week, while Nyaboke Ogwoka was selected as the SEC Co-Women's Runner of the Week.
Redouane dominated his Tennessee debut with an individual win in the men's 4-mile at the Tennessee Cross Country Invitational. The sophomore transfer via Texas Tech and California Baptist won the race with a time of 19:18.27, defeating the next closest finisher by more than 15 seconds for his third career individual cross country victory. Other opponents at the meet included No. 11 Alabama, Kentucky and Chattanooga.
Nyaboke Ogwoka held off a pair of Kentucky runners at the home meet to secure the individual victory in her collegiate debut – winning the women's 3-mile race with a time of 16:32.39. The Lady Vols took the women's title with 25 points, followed by Kentucky (37), No. 9 Alabama (65) and Chattanooga (112).
The Vols and Lady Vols return to action Friday, Sept. 26 for the Gans Creek Classic in Columbia, Missouri – getting a preview of the host site of the 2025 NCAA Cross Country National Championships.
SEC Cross Country Weekly Honors – Sept. 2, 2025
Men's Runner of the Week: Zouhair Redouane, Tennessee
Women's Co-Runner of the Week: Mary Nyaboke Ogwoka, Tennessee
Women's Co-Runner of the Week: Teresa Cherotich, South Carolina
Men's Freshman of the Week: Ronald Ngetich, Oklahoma
Women's Freshman of the Week: Naomi Jepleting, Mississippi State
Redouane dominated his Tennessee debut with an individual win in the men's 4-mile at the Tennessee Cross Country Invitational. The sophomore transfer via Texas Tech and California Baptist won the race with a time of 19:18.27, defeating the next closest finisher by more than 15 seconds for his third career individual cross country victory. Other opponents at the meet included No. 11 Alabama, Kentucky and Chattanooga.
Nyaboke Ogwoka held off a pair of Kentucky runners at the home meet to secure the individual victory in her collegiate debut – winning the women's 3-mile race with a time of 16:32.39. The Lady Vols took the women's title with 25 points, followed by Kentucky (37), No. 9 Alabama (65) and Chattanooga (112).
The Vols and Lady Vols return to action Friday, Sept. 26 for the Gans Creek Classic in Columbia, Missouri – getting a preview of the host site of the 2025 NCAA Cross Country National Championships.
SEC Cross Country Weekly Honors – Sept. 2, 2025
Men's Runner of the Week: Zouhair Redouane, Tennessee
Women's Co-Runner of the Week: Mary Nyaboke Ogwoka, Tennessee
Women's Co-Runner of the Week: Teresa Cherotich, South Carolina
Men's Freshman of the Week: Ronald Ngetich, Oklahoma
Women's Freshman of the Week: Naomi Jepleting, Mississippi State
Players Mentioned
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