Dos Santos and Kiptanui Sweep American Cross Country Honors
Sep 8, 2026 | Cross Country
IRVING, Texas – With the opening weekend of the cross country campaign in the books, the American Conference has announced its first weekly honorees of 2026 with the Tulane duo of Petra Dos Santos and Silas Kiptanui taking home American Women's and Men's Athlete of the Week recognitions, respectively.
This is the first cross country weekly honor for both Dos Santos and Kiptanui in their respective careers. Kiptanui has one other American Athlete of the Week award, which he claimed during the outdoor track campaign earlier this year in April. Tulane sweeps the men's and women's honors this week for the first time since September 2, 2025, when Bernard Cheruiyot and Dorcas Naibei each claimed the awards.
Dos Santos, a senior from Lisbon, Portugal, kicked the Battle for New Orleans off with a bang on Friday, pacing the field to win the women's 4,000m behind a personal-best time of 13:47.97. She won with authority, besting the runner-up by 11 full seconds.
Kiptanui also claimed victory, posting a mark of 14:21.74 in the men's 5,000m. This time was good for third best in the history of the men's course at Lake Oaks Park, and it was a personal best for Kiptanui at that distance.
Their respective efforts aided in Tulane sweeping the team victories. Both the Green Wave men's and women's squads put forth 18 points as the women bested runner-up Southern Miss and its 51 points. The men's runner-up was South Alabama, who trailed with 64 points.
After two weeks of reprieve, the Green Wave will be back in action on Friday, September 25, in Chicago, Illinois. Both the Tulane men's, No. 22 in the nation, and women's squads will race in the 48th Sean Earl Lakefront Invitational hosted by Loyola Chicago.
TICKETS
Tickets for the football, volleyball and men's and women's basketball campaigns can be purchased by calling 504-861-WAVE (9283), logging on to TulaneTix.com or visiting the ticket office at the James W. Wilson Jr. Center.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL TULANE ATHLETICS APP
Download the official mobile app of Tulane Athletics. Now, you can stay in touch with the Green Wave anytime and anywhere on your Android or iOS mobile device.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow Tulane cross country and track & field on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Follow Tulane Athletics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
GREEN WAVE CLUB
Giving to the Green Wave Club provides Tulane Athletics with the resources student‑athletes need to excel in competition and in the classroom. Your support directly improves the lives of current and future Green Wave student‑athletes and enhances Tulane's competitiveness in intercollegiate athletics. Make a gift today by calling (504) 865‑5356, emailing greenwaveclub@tulane.edu, or visiting GreenWaveClub.com.
This is the first cross country weekly honor for both Dos Santos and Kiptanui in their respective careers. Kiptanui has one other American Athlete of the Week award, which he claimed during the outdoor track campaign earlier this year in April. Tulane sweeps the men's and women's honors this week for the first time since September 2, 2025, when Bernard Cheruiyot and Dorcas Naibei each claimed the awards.
Dos Santos, a senior from Lisbon, Portugal, kicked the Battle for New Orleans off with a bang on Friday, pacing the field to win the women's 4,000m behind a personal-best time of 13:47.97. She won with authority, besting the runner-up by 11 full seconds.
Kiptanui also claimed victory, posting a mark of 14:21.74 in the men's 5,000m. This time was good for third best in the history of the men's course at Lake Oaks Park, and it was a personal best for Kiptanui at that distance.
Their respective efforts aided in Tulane sweeping the team victories. Both the Green Wave men's and women's squads put forth 18 points as the women bested runner-up Southern Miss and its 51 points. The men's runner-up was South Alabama, who trailed with 64 points.
After two weeks of reprieve, the Green Wave will be back in action on Friday, September 25, in Chicago, Illinois. Both the Tulane men's, No. 22 in the nation, and women's squads will race in the 48th Sean Earl Lakefront Invitational hosted by Loyola Chicago.
TICKETS
Tickets for the football, volleyball and men's and women's basketball campaigns can be purchased by calling 504-861-WAVE (9283), logging on to TulaneTix.com or visiting the ticket office at the James W. Wilson Jr. Center.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL TULANE ATHLETICS APP
Download the official mobile app of Tulane Athletics. Now, you can stay in touch with the Green Wave anytime and anywhere on your Android or iOS mobile device.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow Tulane cross country and track & field on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Follow Tulane Athletics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
GREEN WAVE CLUB
Giving to the Green Wave Club provides Tulane Athletics with the resources student‑athletes need to excel in competition and in the classroom. Your support directly improves the lives of current and future Green Wave student‑athletes and enhances Tulane's competitiveness in intercollegiate athletics. Make a gift today by calling (504) 865‑5356, emailing greenwaveclub@tulane.edu, or visiting GreenWaveClub.com.
Players Mentioned
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