Doris Lemngole thought she had won her sixth NCAA title Saturday night. About an hour later, officials took it away, in a late ruling reminiscent of last year’s Bolder Boulder finish.
The Alabama junior crossed the finish line first in the women’s 5,000 metres at the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, clocking 15:11.71. Officials then disqualified her under Rule 15.5-3g for stepping on or over the inside curb during the race. According to reporting from Athletics Illustrated, she ran several steps on the inside of the field before returning to the track.
The title went instead to Marion Jepngetich, a New Mexico sophomore who finished in a personal-best 15:13.01.
“It is what it is and you know I’m proud of myself, proud of,” Lemngole said after the race.
A Reshuffled Podium
With Lemngole removed from the results, every position on the podium shifted. Iowa State freshman Mercyline Kirwa took second in a personal-best 15:13.72. Florida freshman Judy Chepkoech finished third in 15:14.05, also a personal best. All three runners on the updated podium set lifetime bests in their new positions.
Iowa State freshman Betty Kipkore was fifth in 15:14.43, with New Mexico sophomore Pamela Kosgei sixth in 15:15.88. Florida senior Hilda Olemomoi placed seventh in 15:16.23, a season’s best. Eastern Kentucky sophomore Edna Chelulei rounded out the top eight in a personal-best 15:18.21.
A Kenyan Sweep at the Front
The depth at the front of the race was striking. The first eight finishers in the 5,000m were all Kenyan athletes representing American universities, a result that reflects the continued strength of East African distance running in the NCAA. The pace at the top of the field was closer to Faith Kipyegon’s recent world-leading 5,000m than most NCAA finals.
The top American finisher was Virginia Tech freshman Katie Bohlke, who ran a personal best of 15:18.71 to take ninth. BYU freshman Jane Hedengren was 10th in 15:22.88. Personal bests were common further down the field, including from NC State junior Hannah Gapes (15:25.93) and Oregon junior Juliet Cherubet (15:25.41), who equalled her best. For runners hoping to push their own 5K performance ceiling, the times posted at Hayward Field will be benchmarks for the rest of the season.
What the Rule Says, and What Happens Next
NCAA Rule 15.5-3g governs how runners can use the inside of the track. Briefly drifting onto or inside the line is permitted, but multiple consecutive steps inside the curb can result in disqualification. Race officials determined Lemngole’s steps crossed that threshold. Lane and conduct calls have produced several high-profile reversals in recent years, including the North Carolina high schooler who eventually won his state title back after a celebration DQ and the California teen disqualified after spraying a fire extinguisher at the state final.
The Athletics Illustrated report stated that Alabama’s protest related to the call was upheld, leading to the title change. FloTrack later reported that Alabama protested the ruling itself, leaving the final outcome under review. As of Saturday night, Jepngetich is listed as the NCAA champion in the official results.
If the disqualification stands, it will erase what would have been Lemngole’s sixth NCAA title, a result that would have added to one of the most decorated collegiate distance-running careers of her generation.
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