Doris Lemngole during a previous Diamond League meeting/ HANDOUT
Kenyan rising star Doris Lemngole is setting her sights on a commanding 2026 campaign, buoyed by winning the 2025 Bowerman Award following a glittering season on the NCAA circuit.
The Bowerman is the most prestigious individual accolade in NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) cross-country and track and field, reserved for athletes whose seasons redefine excellence, consistency and dominance across the collegiate landscape.
Lemngole earned the coveted title on the back of an outstanding 2025 campaign that saw her stamp her authority across indoor track, outdoor competition and cross country.
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Competing for the University of Alabama, the versatile distance runner swept three NCAA titles this year.
She ignited her season indoors on March 14 by storming to the NCAA Indoor 5,000m title, stopping the clock at 15:05.93 with a composed yet ruthless display of endurance and control.
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The momentum carried seamlessly into the outdoor season, where Lemngole delivered another masterclass, clinching the NCAA 3,000m steeplechase crown in a collegiate record-breaking time of 8:58.15.
Her golden year was emphatically sealed on November 21, when she capped a flawless campaign by winning the NCAA Cross Country Championships in 18:25.4, completing a rare treble.
Speaking after receiving the award, an emotional Lemngole was quick to acknowledge the collective effort behind her rise, paying glowing tribute to her coach, teammates and support system at Alabama.
“I would not be here without this. Thank you so much to my coach for believing in me and pushing me beyond what I thought was possible; and to my teammates, thank you for making every day better and every mile worth it; and to my family, friends, and support staff,” Lemngole said.
She also reflected on the deeper role running has played in shaping her journey, both on and off the track, as she looks ahead to the next phase of her career.
“Running has shaped who I am. I started this sport simply because I love it, and along the way it taught me resilience, patience and confidence,” she added.
“Competing at Alabama has been an incredible honour, and wearing this uniform has represented everything I worked for.”
Lemngole has already begun transitioning her collegiate success onto the global stage.
She made her maiden appearance for Team Kenya in September at the Tokyo World Championships, lining up in the women’s steeplechase.
She narrowly missed out on a podium finish, settling for fifth place in 9:02.39.
Faith Cherotich claimed gold in 8:51.59, ahead of Bahrain’s Winfred Yavi (8:56.46) and Ethiopia’s Sembo Almayew (8:58.86).
Athletics Kenya chair of youth development Barnaba Korir hailed Lemngole’s Bowerman recognition as a major boost for Kenyan athletics and a beacon for the next generation.
“This is a new beginning for our athletes to shine on the international stage. We are proud as a people,” Korir noted.