RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. — Harding Bisons Cross-Country 1st-year distance runner Benson Lingokal has been named the Great American Conference Men's Cross Country Runner of the Week, the league office announced Tuesday.

Lingokal earned the conference honor following an impressive collegiate cross-country debut at the City Auto Memphis Twilight XC Classic on Saturday, Sept. 5, at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex in Memphis, Tennessee.

Covering the 4-mile circuit in 19:09.83, the Eldoret, Kenya native finished second overall in a 186-runner collegiate field. He crossed the line behind only Division I Middle Tennessee State's Allan Kiplagat (18:54.26).

Lingokal's runner-up finish marks the highest individual placing by a Harding runner at the Memphis Twilight since four-time meet champion Daniel Kirwa took top honors in 2008. His performance helped propel the Bisons to a fifth-place finish in the 20-team field with 154 points, securing Harding's position as the top Division II program in the team standings.

The award marks the first GAC weekly honor of the 2026 cross-country season for the Bisons.

Harding returns to action on Friday, Sept. 11, hosting the 6th Annual Steve Guymon Invitational at the Harding Cross Country Course in Searcy.