SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Oral Roberts’ Sibonokuhle Thwala and Ossly Murambidzi earned the fifth Summit League Cross Country Peak Performer of the Week honors of the season, league officials announced Tuesday. Both Golden Eagles were medalists at the Chile Pepper Festival.
Thwala led all Summit League runners in the men’s 8K at the Chile Pepper Festival, placing eighth with a time of 24:25.5. The senior helped Oral Roberts to a 10th-place team finish.
Murambidzi paced the Golden Eagles in the women’s race, crossing the finish line in 10th place with a personal-best time of 16:41.9. The junior helped Oral Roberts finish 14th out of 28 teams.
Sibonokuhle Thwala, Oral Roberts
Sr | Johannesburg, South Africa
- Collected his first career weekly honor
- Placed eighth at the Chile Pepper Festival 8K race with a time of 24:25.5
- Helped the Golden Eagles to a tenth place team finish
Also nominated: MJ Foster (Kansas City), Owen Johnson (North Dakota State), Tate Grabow (South Dakota State), Casey Poppler (St. Thomas)
Ossly Murambidzi, Oral Roberts
Jr. | Harare, Zimbabwe
- Earned her first career weekly accolade
- Took 10th overall at the Chile Pepper Festival with a personal-best 5K time 16:41.9
- Helped the Golden Eagles secure a 14th-place team finish
Also nominated: Harper Barlow (Kansas City), Madison LeSage (North Dakota State), Ava Dziedzic (Omaha),Ellie Robinson (South Dakota State), Anna VanAcker (St. Thomas)
2026 Cross Country Peak Performers of the Week
Sept. 8
M: Abraham Chelangam, Oral Roberts
W: Geneva Timmerman, South Dakota
Sept. 15
M: N/A
W: Jade Rypkema, North Dakota State
Sept. 22
M: Ethan Moe, North Dakota State
W: Jade Rypkema, North Dakota State
Sept. 29
M: Isaac Ochoa, South Dakota
W: Olivia Correale, North Dakota
Oct. 6
M: Sibonokuhle Thwala, Oral Roberts
W: Ossly Murambidzi, Oral Roberts
#SummitXC
