Joan Jepngetich, a 24-year-old Kenyan athlete and student at Carl Sandburg College, has tragically lost her life in the US. Joan Jepngetich earned the Cross Country Athlete of the Week title in her first year abroad. Ourquadcities.com reports that the young woman died in a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 80 in Rock Island County. Jepngetich made her mark during her first year abroad
According to Rock Island County Coroner Brian Gustafson, Jepngetich was pronounced dead at the scene due to multiple traumatic injuries sustained in the accident. The crash is under investigation by the Illinois State Police Troop Two, the Accident Reconstruction Unit, and the Rock Island County Coroner’s Office. Jepngetich, originally from Kapsabet, Kenya, had a promising future in athletics.
She joined the Carl Sandburg College women’s cross country and track and field programs in July 2023 and quickly made her mark as a talented athlete. Jepngetich’s athletic achievements were remarkable A Facebook post from the Iowa Central Community College Track and Field team mourned her loss, stating, “Our thoughts and prayers are with Joan’s family, friends, and the members of the Carl Sandburg College Cross Country/Track & Field team.”
A graduate of Goibei Girls High School, she excelled in middle and long-distance events, including the 1500m with a personal best of 4:41 and the 3000m at 9:57. In her freshman season, Jepngetich competed in several high-profile events. Jepngetich named Cross Country Athlete of the Week On October 4, 2023, she earned runner-up honours in the 5k CC Open at the Chile Pepper Festival hosted by the University of Arkansas, finishing with a personal best time of 18:49.2.
Just a month earlier, she had impressed at the Augustana Twilight, where she placed 83rd out of 350 runners across all divisions, clocking 19:35.6 and finishing as the first NJCAA runner. Jepngetich’s exceptional performance earned her the Cross Country Athlete of the Week title. The athletics community is mourning the talented runner’s untimely death, with tributes pouring in for the runner whose potential was just beginning to shine.
Her legacy as an athlete and a dedicated student will be remembered by those who knew her in Kenya and the United States. Janet Wanja succumbed to cancer Jepngetich’s demise comes two days after Kenya lost another sportswoman, volleyball legend Janet Wanja. Wanja was diagnosed with gallbladder cancer shortly after returning from the 2024 Paris Olympics. She made her name with the Malkia Strikers and Kenya Pipeline and retired in 2019 after a successful career.
by Hillary Lisimba
