TicketsNickson Kogei steals the show 🏆
— Cincinnati Bearcats (@GoBEARCATS) February 28, 2026
Kogei pulls off a thrilling last-second win in the Big 12 5000m! pic.twitter.com/xZIoP3M7uJ
AWARDS AND HONORS
2026 Indoor Big 12 Champion – 5,000-meter
2025 Cross Country All-American
2025 All-Big 12 Cross Country
2025 NCAA Great Lakes Regional Champion
2025-26 SEASONS
2026 ITF: Produced one of the most memorable moments in the nation with his sprinting finish to win the Big 12's 5,000-meter championship by a split-second (13:32.99), which also ranked second in program history... Appeared in two other meets, beginning with a 3K in Louisville's PNC Lenny Lyles Invitational that was the sixth-fastest time at UC... Also did a 5K in Boston at the loaded David Hemery Valentine Invitational which was the second-best until breaking his own mark at the Big 12s.
2025 XC: Finished one of the best seasons in program history with All-American honors at the NCAA Championships, finishing 18th in the 10K (28:52.2)... Was the 11th men's Bearcat to reach nationals and the fourth All-American (first since Aaron Bienenfeld in 2020)... Won four of the six races in which he competed, most notably the NCAA Great Lakes Regional where he captured the 10K course record at Angel Mounds (29:42.8)... Also did the same there a month prior in the 8K (23:36.8)... Won the Notre Dame Joe Piane Invitational with an 8K PR of 22:39.4, his first race as a Bearcat... Ran unattached in the season-opening RedHawk Rumble 5K, winning that as well.
PERSONAL: Attended Mugunga Secondary School in Kakamega, Kenya ... First communicated with Cincinnati's coaches in May 2024 ... Majoring in exercise science.