KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A day after being named the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) NCAA Division II Women's National Athlete of the Week, Missouri Southern freshman Ruth Chemutai was tabbed the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Week, the league announced Wednesday.
 
Chemutai posted a personal-best time of 17:04.41 to capture the individual title in the women's 5K Saturday at the 37th Annual Missouri Southern Stampede. This individual championship marked the first of her collegiate career. Chemutai stopped the clock more than 12 seconds ahead of the second place finisher.
 
Chemutai led the No. 27-ranked Lions to a first-place team finish with 43 total points in the women's 5K of the Missouri Southern Stampede.
 
MIAA Cross Country Athlete of the Week Award Winners:
Men's: Pau Valderrama, Missouri Western
Women's: Ruth Chemutai, Missouri Southern
 
NEXT: Missouri Southern cross country will next compete Oct. 11 at the Pre-Nationals Tune-Up at Rim Rock in Lawrence, Kansas.
 
Fall Missouri Southern Tickets are currently on sale online. Fans can also purchase an MIAA Network subscription to support Missouri Southern Athletics and catch all the Lions action this 2026-27 season.
 
MSSU Athletics will host its 2026 Hall of Fame Brunch & Induction Ceremony on Saturday morning at Robert Ellis Young Gymnasium. Doors will open at 9:30 a.m. with the Brunch commencing at 10 a.m. Registration is currently available online. For any questions or to RSVP, please contact Missouri Southern Athletics at 417-625-9317 or email Lisa Severe (severe-l@mssu.edu).