By Tyler Gilbert

 Emmaculate Kiplagat, one of the top Women’s Cross-Country runners at APSU; “Emma” as she is called by many of her peers and teammates shares insights into her personal life as well as her collegiate running career.  

She came to the U.S. in 2015 originally to FAMU, Florida A&M University. Not long after her tenure with FAMU, she transferred to APSU and fell in love. “Southern drawl and understanding some of the slang,” were some of the biggest challenges that she can remember upon first arriving here in Tennessee, Emmaculate said. 

She expressed being amazed at the inviting culture here at APSU as well as on the team itself. She also touched on her first days at APSU and goes on to say she never felt like she was too different, or a stranger to the rest of the team. 

Emmaculate is no stranger to success in her respective sport, she has placed in the top fifteen twice this season. Of those meets was The APSU Cross Country Festival in which she placed thirteenth in the 5,000m race. 

Although she has accomplished a plethora of impeccable race times and podium places her desire to accomplish more still motivates her.

 “I’d love to make it to the OVC Conference Championships and beyond as well,” Emmaculate said. 

The next race for the Women’s team is at Kentucky Wesleyan University on Oct. 12.