FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Fayetteville State University sophomore Faith Kiplimo has earned a spot in the 2026 NCAA Division II Women's Indoor Track & Field Championships, qualifying in the Mile Run, as announced by the NCAA Division II Men's and Women's Track and Field Committee. The championships will be held March 13–14 at the Virginia Beach Sports Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Kiplimo is among the top 18 milers in Division II to advance to the national stage, securing her qualification with a season‑best 4:51.07 recorded at the JDL Early Bird Invitational on December 7.
Her selection caps a breakout year in which she was named the CIAA Indoor Track Athlete of the Year and earned CIAA Indoor Championship MVP for Running Events.
A Dominant Season for the CIAA's Top Distance Runner
During the 2026 CIAA Indoor Championships, Kiplimo delivered one of the most impressive all‑around performances in recent conference history, winning four gold medals:
- Mile – 1st (5:03.46)
- 800m – 1st (2:14.95)
- 3000m – 1st (10:30.90)
- Distance Medley Relay – 1st (12:37.60)
Her consistency, range, and competitive discipline cemented her as one of Division II's most versatile distance specialists.
This indoor season also included key performances such as:
- 2:12.72 in the 800m (ASICS Last Chance Invitational)
- 2:59.52 in the 1000m (Tryon Banked Invitational – Winner)
- 4:38.26 in the 1500m (Camel City Distance)
A Remarkable Journey: From Eldoret, Kenya to NCAA Nationals
Kiplimo was born and raised in Eldoret, Kenya, a region globally recognized for producing world‑class distance runners. She graduated from Yemit Girls High School in 2022, where she earned multiple trophies in cross country and track while also competing in basketball.
She began her collegiate career at the University of Connecticut, where she gained Division I postseason experience, including:
- 3rd – BIG EAST Outdoor 3000m Steeplechase (10:20.92)
- 2nd – BIG EAST Indoor 5000m (16:36.43)
- NCAA Division I East First Round qualifier (Steeplechase)
Her transfer to Fayetteville State has led to immediate, record‑setting success.
Cross Country Success Sets the Stage
Kiplimo's momentum began in the fall, where she won the 2025 CIAA Cross Country Championship and placed third at the NCAA Atlantic Region Championship, qualifying for the NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships.
Her season included:
- CIAA Champion – 18:12.9 (5K)
- Atlantic Region – 3rd place (21:24.2 – 6K)
- NCAA Championships – 82nd overall
Dedicated Student. Elite Athlete. Bronco Leader.
A Nursing major, Kiplimo balances one of the university's most demanding academic programs with elite training and competition. She credits her parents, Gladys and Musa Tanui, as her greatest influences, guiding her pursuit of athletic and academic success.
Outside of competition, she enjoys studying, running, dancing, and exploring new adventures. She chose Fayetteville State because it was her "dream school" — a place she felt could help her grow academically while competing for championships.
After graduation, she aspires to become a professional athlete, continuing to represent her heritage and Fayetteville State on the world stage.
Event Information
The 2026 NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships are co-hosted by Norfolk State University and Visit Virginia Beach.
📍 Virginia Beach Sports Center
📅 March 13–14, 2026
📺 Live on NCAA.com
🔗 Qualifiers & heat sheets: https://results.leonetiming.com/?mid=8658
