STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Tarleton State freshman Ava Tannehill was named the UAC Women's Cross Country Freshman of the Week after leading the Texans with a 14^th place finish at the John McKenzie Invitational on Friday morning.
 
Tannehill is the first freshman woman to win the honor with the weekly award originating this season. She is also the first Texan cross country runner to win a UAC weekly award since Tarleton State joined the UAC on July 1, 2026. While the Texans were in the WAC, the only weekly award was male and female runner of the week. The last Texan cross country runners to win a conference weekly award was Jace Poole and Sage Lancaster who were named WAC Runners of the Week on Sept. 30, 2024.
 
In her collegiate debut, Tannehill led the Texans at the John McKenzie Invitational 5K crossing in 19:00.02. The Leander, Texas, native, was the second freshman to finish in the race. Tannehill paced the Texans nearly the entire race joining the lead pack on the first lap and continuing in the trail pack on the second lap. The freshman distanced herself from her competition in the final stretch to finish 11 seconds ahead of the next finisher.
 
Eastern Kentucky swept both the men's runner and freshman runners of the week as well as the women's runner of the week as well. Men's runner, Cosmas Kiprop was named Runner of the Week. EKU's Dillon Millard was named the Men's Freshman of the Week. Along with Tannehill, EKU's Ann Kiplagat was named the Women's Runner of the Week.
 
Tarleton State Cross Country will race its second race of the season Sept. 26 at the Cowboy Jamboree. It will mark the Texans first meet in Stillwater, Okla., with a field full of nationally-ranked programs. Be sure to follow @tarletonxctrack on Instagram and X for the latest updates, highlights and content.
 
MEN'S XC
Runner of the Week: Cosmas Kiprop, EKU
Freshman of the Week: Dillon Millard, EKU
 
WOMEN'S XC
Runner of the Week: Ann Kiplagat, EKU
Freshman of the Week: Ava Tannehill, Tarleton State