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Kenyan student-athlete Joan Jepng'etich's promising journey in academics and athletics ended tragically, leaving family and friends mourning.
A Kenyan student-athlete, Joan Jepng'etich tragically lost her life in a car accident in Chicago on Thursday, December 26, cutting short a promising future both in academics and athletics.
Jepng'etich, 24, was traveling with two other occupants when the car they were in was involved in a fatal crash.
She died on the spot, while her companions sustained serious injuries and were rushed to the hospital.
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The heartbreaking news reached her family in Kapsabet, Kenya, where she was the youngest in a family of seven.
Her parents and siblings are struggling to come to terms with the loss as the accident occurred as Jepng'etich was pursuing her dreams on a sports scholarship at Carl Sandburg College in Illinois, USA.
"We received a call from the school last night (Thursday 26 December) informing us of the accident and asking us to wait for more information because they need to wait for a police report to get information on what really happened," said family spokesperson Thomas Meli, speaking from their home in Kapsabet told Nation.
Jepng'etich had left Kenya in August 2023 after earning a scholarship through her exceptional athletic talent.
Her journey began at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge, Iowa, before she transferred to Carl Sandburg College in Illinois to continue her nursing studies and compete for the school in athletics.
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Kenyan athletics coach John Kosgei, who played a pivotal role in her journey to the U.S., expressed deep sorrow over her untimely demise.
"Jepng'etich was an easygoing athlete, and she was always focused, and that is why when she joined my group, she did not finish a year before she managed to qualify for the scholarship program and joined the institution after getting her travel visa in Mozambique," said Kosgei.
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Kosgei, known for his success in nurturing over 100 students to secure scholarships in the U.S., recalled her dedication and discipline as a young athlete. Her sudden death has left a void in both the Kenyan and international athletics communities.
Jepng'etich's life in the U.S. was one of purpose and achievement. She balanced the rigorous demands of a nursing program with her passion for athletics, competing in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) events.
Her peers and coaches described her as a natural talent who worked tirelessly to excel both on the track and in her studies.
Tributes have poured in from U.S.-based athletes who had the privilege of running alongside her.
They remembered her as a vibrant, hardworking teammate who made significant contributions to cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track competitions.
The family is now grappling with the logistical and emotional challenges of repatriating her body to Kenya.
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They await further details from Carl Sandburg College and law enforcement authorities, who are conducting an investigation into the cause of the accident.
For the family in Kapsabet, the tragedy has cast a shadow over what had been a source of immense pride. Jepng'etich’s journey to the U.S. represented the realization of a dream—one that has been cruelly cut short.
"She was the light of our family, and her hard work inspired us all. This is a huge loss, not only to us but to everyone who knew her," said a family member who requested anonymity.
Joan Jepng'etich’s story is one of talent, determination, and loss.
Her legacy as a dedicated student-athlete will continue to inspire young Kenyans aspiring to achieve their dreams on the global stage, even as the world mourns the premature end of her journey.
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