Former Alabama track champion Eliud Kipsang dies after cardiac arrest aged 28
Former NCAA track star Eliud Kipsang, who earned several first-team All-America honors as a runner, has died aged 28, according to Alabama Athletics.
Alabama Athletics released a statement Wednesday confirming that Kipsang had died on Tuesday evening.
'We are heartbroken by the passing of Eliud Kipsang, one of the most gifted athletes ever to wear crimson and white,' said Alabama Athletics' head coach Dan Waters.
'His impact on our program extended far beyond records and championships; he was a beloved teammate, a brother to so many and a dear friend to me, personally.
'On behalf of the entire Alabama family, we extend our deepest condolences to his loved ones. The running community has lost a remarkable soul.'
The university statement did not provide details of how Kipsang had died but a GoFundMe page set up to cover his funeral costs says he suffered a cardiac arrest on Friday.
The fundraising page says the 28-year-old was rushed to Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup, WA, where he spent the subsequent days in intensive care as doctors tried to save his life.
Kipsang broke three school records during his successful time with the Crimson Tide, where he was also named the 2021 SEC Runner of the Year.
The track star was born in Kenya before moving to Alabama for his first season in 2020, winning the SEC 1,500-meter title in his debut year. He then went on to win the individual SEC cross-country title.
During the 2022 season, Kipsang broke the collegiate record in the outdoor 1,500m, clocking a time of 3:33.74 – the mark still remains in the top five in collegiate history.
Kipsang still holds three Alabama Athletics records in the indoor mile, indoor distance medley relay and the outdoor 1,500m.
He also has six times that are still in the top-10 of Alabama track and field history.
In 2021, Kipsang also competed in the Kenya Olympic trials, before trialing for the World Championships the following year.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
49ers quarterback explains one area he wants to improve in 2025
49ers quarterback explains one area he wants to improve in 2025 The San Francisco 49ers have been lucky to have starting quarterback Brock Purdy remain mostly healthy since taking over as the full-time starter. In fact, over the last two years, Purdy's only missed three games, which has put the team in the best situation to win. However, it's always important for NFL teams to have a competent backup quarterback, and the 49ers believe they got that this offseason when they signed Mac Jones to replace Joshua Dobbs and Brandon Allen in the position group. Jones, 26, played collegiately at Alabama from 2017-20, winning two national championships and earning All-SEC and All-American honors once before the New England Patriots took him in the first round (No. 15 overall) in the 2021 NFL draft. The Crimson Tide alum saw some success as a rookie, leading the team to the playoffs and making the Pro Bowl, but after offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels left to become the Las Vegas Raiders head coach, Jones fell apart. Over the next two years, his play dropped off significantly, and he was eventually benched for Bailey Zappe and then traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a sixth-round pick. Jones wasn't much better in his 10 games (seven starts) in Jacksonville, leading the team to a 2-5 record while completing 65.3% of his passes for 1,672 yards, eight touchdowns and eight interceptions. Now with San Francisco, Jones has had some up-and-down practice sessions, according to those in attendance, but he's working on one specific trait this offseason. 'Sometimes, when you watch my film, maybe it wasn't a full commitment throw,' Jones said (via San Francisco Chronicle's Noah Furtado). 'I want to get better at that, and I have when I've been out there. That's the whole point of football is to try those throws, learn from them, and then when you get to the game, you can say, 'Hey, I can do this,' or, 'I'm going to check this one down.' 'I learned the hard way.' Jones entered the NFL as the quarterback with the highest floor in his draft class, which should make him a strong backup, and if he can prove that he has confidence in himself and can make the right decisions, he'll be just that. If not, Jones might not see the end of the two-year, $7 million contract the he signed back in March. More 49ers: 49ers have intriguing plan for stud defensive lineman in 2025
Miami Herald
2 hours ago
- Miami Herald
G Zakai Zeigler denied fifth season at Tennessee
A Tennessee federal judge rejected Tennessee guard Zakai Zeigler's request for a preliminary injunction on Thursday after he sued the NCAA last month for a fifth year of eligibility. The injunction could have let Zeigler, the Volunteers' all-time assist and steals leader, take the court while his lawsuit unfolded in court. Zeigler sued the NCAA for a fifth year, claiming he could lose up to $4 million in NIL money if he isn't allowed to play in 2025-26. The lawsuit argued he will suffer irreparable harm without immediate relief, with schools finalizing rosters and settling NIL deals. "Plaintiff has failed to present sufficient evidence that the Four-Seasons Rule produces substantial anticompetitive effects in the market for student-athlete services and NIL compensation in Division I basketball," judge Katherine Crytzer wrote in her decision. Zeigler filed his suit in the Eastern District of Tennessee. In it, he claimed he could make between $2 million and $4 million in name, image and likeness money in 2025-26 after making $500,000 in 2024-25. "We are disappointed the Court declined to grant a preliminary injunction on the basis that the NCAA does not directly control NIL compensation, just days after the House settlement confirmed they would do exactly that," Litson PLLC and Garza Law Firm, Zeigler's representation, said in a statement. "This ruling is just the first chapter of what we believe will ultimately be a successful challenge." Zeigler, who led the Volunteers to two Elite Eight appearances, set the school career records for assists (747) and steals (251). The three-time All-SEC pick and two-time league defensive player of the year averaged 11.3 points, 5.4 assists and 2.6 rebounds in 138 career games (83 starts). He graduated this month from Tennessee and plans to pursue a graduate degree. --Field Level Media Field Level Media 2023 - All Rights Reserved
USA Today
4 hours ago
- USA Today
Mya Lesnar proved she's Brock Lesnar's kid with a second NCAA title
Mya Lesnar proved she's Brock Lesnar's kid with a second NCAA title Before going on to UFC and WWE gold, Brock Lesnar was a one-time NCAA Division I champion. Now daughter Mya has him beat. Brock Lesnar's combat sports career began as a decorated college wrestler. He won a National Junior College championship at 275 pounds while at Bismarck State College. From there, he transferred up to the University of Minnesota, capturing the Division I heavyweight title in 2000 after a runner-up performance (to future New England Patriots guard Stephen Neal) in 1999. Mya Lesnar didn't follow in her father's footsteps despite a burgeoning women's wrestling scene at the college level. Instead, she used her family's farmhand strength to carve a championship path in track and field -- specifically, the shot put. After beginning her college career at Arizona State, she transferred to Colorado State in 2022. That move helped unlock her potential. She won a national indoor championship earlier this year, then doubled up in the 2025 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships Thursday. Lesnar's first throw was enough to carry her past a loaded field and to the top of the podium in Eugene, Oregon. Impressively, that 19.01 meter toss wasn't close to her personal best. She threw 19.60 meters at the last home dual meet of her college career -- a mark that would have won bronze at the 2024 Summer Olympics. While Lesnar ends her college career as a champion, it's clear she has the ability to compete at the highest level of the sport. Whether she chooses to stick with throwing or make dabbling in multiple sports a family tradition is yet to be seen.
