OREM, Utah — Utah Valley freshman runner Caren Kipsirat has been named The Big West Women's Athlete of the Week for the first week of the cross country season, the league announced in a press release on Tuesday. 

A native of Iten, Kenya, Kipsirat made her collegiate cross country debut last Friday at the UVU Invitational, claiming second behind only Jane Hedengren of BYU. Kipsirat went stride for stride with the reigning national runner-up over the first mile of the race before Hedengren pulled away over the second mile. Kipsirat averaged a 5:14 mile pace, posting a time of 15:41.42. Kipsirat's time was 49 seconds faster than eventual All-American Morgan Nokes' time on the same course last season. 

Utah Valley will be back in action this Friday as the Wolverines run again at Scera Park. The meet will follow the same course and distance as last week's meet, with the women's race starting at 10 a.m. MT and the men's race following at 10:30. Live results will be posted at SportTrax.com.