Kansas City, Mo. -- A day after being named the Division II National Cross Country Runner of the Week, Missouri Southern junior Gidieon Kimutai has been named the MIAA Men's Cross Country Runner of the Week as announced by the league office today. 

Kimutai was running in his first cross country race since placing fifth at the Division II National Championship in 2019 and he didn't disappoint. Kimutai posted a new personal best of 23:37.3 over the 8k Tom Rutledge Cross Country Course to take home the individual title at the 33rd running of the Southern Stampede this past weekend. 

Kimutai was 16 seconds in front of teammate Ryan Riddle and the 1-2 finish helped the Lions to win the team title with 48 points. 

The Lions are off this week, but return on September 30 to run in the Chile Pepper Festival hosted by the University of Arkansas.