Kinyanjui Takes MAC Women's Freshman Track Performer of the Year Honor

Freshman Mercy Kinyanjui took the 5000m (16:32.01) and 10,000m (34.29.19) crowns at the MAC Championships over the weekend.

Photo by: Scott Walstrom, NIU Athletics

Kinyanjui Takes MAC Women's Freshman Track Performer of the Year Honor

5/13/2024 4:12:00 PM | Women's Track and Field

Kenya native captured two gold medals at MAC Championships

DEKALB, Ill. – Mercy Kinyanjui was named the Mid-American Conference's Women's Freshman Track Performer of the Year this past weekend following a stellar performance that saw her win two crowns at the MAC Outdoor Championships.

Kinyanjui first won the 10,000m on Thursday with a time of 34:29.19. Sitting narrowly in second heading into her final lap, Kinyanjui sprinted ahead to best her nearest competition by 8.81 seconds, completing the final 400 meters in just 1:06.64.

Two days later, the Kiambu, Kenya native once again took the lead and pulled away in the final lap for a 5000m victory in 16:32.01. This time, Kinyanjui turned in a final lap of 1:12.97 to clear the field by 4.90 seconds.

Kinyanjui contributed 20 total points to Toledo's 66.5 for the championship. She finished with three gold medals for the season with her two at the MAC Championships along with a 10,000m victory at the Wake Forest Invitational on April 19.