Bio

Josphat Boit, one of the most decorated runners in the history of the Cowley College cross country and track and field teams, will be honored for his stellar career by being inducted into the Tiger Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, January 16.

Boit was born and raised in Eldoret, Kenya where he attended Kapsoya High School. He came to the United State to attend Central Methodist University in Fayette, Missouri. At CMU he was the NAIA cross country and indoor 5k champion before transferring to Cowley College.

At Cowley, Boit was the 2004 indoor national champion in the 3,000-meter run and was an All-American in indoor and outdoor track as well as cross country. Along with being a national champion, Boit was a region and conference champion as a member of the 2004 Tiger track and field team. He was also the 2003 Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division cross country individual champion.

“Cowley was great,” Boit said. “I could focus on my education and running. It was a great experience running for the coaches at Cowley and they set me up for the next level of running,”

Boit said the Foster-Parent program at Cowley benefited him while being far away from Kenya. “The program was great for me because it made me feel at home,” Boit said. “I still keep in contact and am grateful for my Foster Parents - Doris and Marshall Brentlinger.”

After Cowley, Boit went on to a decorated career at the University of Arkansas. As a Razorback he was an eight-time All-American, eight-time SEC (Southeast Conference) champion, two-time SEC Athlete of the Year, two-time NCAA DI national champion (5k indoor, 10k outdoor, and a part of two national championship teams.

Boit credits staying disciplined, setting goals, and being surrounded by people who supported him and other international students with helping him be successful at Cowley and the University of Arkansas.

After graduating from Arkansas he gained his United States citizenship and became a professional runner. He has represented the United States in the World Half Marathon Championships and has won the US 25k national championship.

Boit currently runs for the Asics Mammoth Track Club in Mammoth Lakes, California.

“Right now I am training for the US Olympic Marathon Trials,” Boit said. “I have already qualified for the trials and hope to obtain a top-three position so that I can represent the United States in the next Olympics.”

Boit brought his wife, Shenan, back to Ark City a couple of years ago to introduce her to his friends and the Brentlingers. The couple have a new addition to the family as their daughter, Fiona, was born earlier this year.

“I'm looking forward to being back,” Boit said. “It is a great honor to be a part of the Tiger Hall of Fame.”