Oklahoma State Nominates Cowboy Golfer, Cowgirl Runner for 2026 Big 12 Athlete of the Year

STILLWATER — On Monday, the Big 12 recognized Oklahoma State’s Athlete of the Year nominees, Billah Jepkirui (Cowgirl cross country/track and field) and Preston Stout (Cowboy golf).

Stout wrapped up the season as the top male collegiate golfer in the country thanks to a hole-18 birdie. He then powered the Pokes to a semifinal appearance where they lost to eventual national champion Auburn.

Stout was obviously a First Team All-American and ranked as the top amateur in the world. He finished last season with five wins, a program record for juniors, and now sits only three short of tying Lindy Miller’s school record of 11 career wins.

Jepkirui, a senior, earned All-American honors after finishing fourth at the Indoor NCAA Championships in the mile and eighth in the 3,000 meters. She also ran what was then-considered the fourth-fastest mile in NCAA history to wrap up the Big 12 title two weeks prior to the championship race.

Jepkirui also finished third among Cowgirls at the NCAA Cross Country Championships to help the team place 12th overall.

Winners of the Big 12 Athletes of the Year Award will be announced Thursday. Each school nominates a male and female athlete of any classification who competed this past school year. Nominees are required to be in good academic standing and must have participated in a league-sponsored sport.

Some of the nominees still haven’t been revealed, but here’s a look at those who have been announced:

Arizona – Sydney Stewart and Jay Friend
Arizona State – Kenzie Brown and Jonny Kulow
Baylor – Tyler Isgrig and Devin Badenhorst
BYU – Jane Hedengren and AJ Dybantsa
UCF – Sierra Humphreys and Themus Fulks
Cincinnati – Juliette Laracuente-Huebner and Quinton Coats
Colorado – Maddie Shoup and Hunter Swanson
Houston – Michelle McLeod and Kingston Flemings
Iowa State – Mercyline Kirwa and Joshua Jefferson
Kansas – Shiyun Lai and Tyson LeBlanc
K-State – Shaylee Myers and Tah Chikomba
Oklahoma State – Billah Jepkirui and Preston Stout