Hampton's Peninah Mutisya Chosen As 2026 Randolph Inspiration Award Recipient
Rob Washburn
RICHMOND, Va. (August 12, 2026) – Hampton University track and field standout
Peninah Mutisya has been chosen as the recipient of the 2026 John H. Randolph Inspiration Award by the CAA.
The award recognizes individuals who through strength of character and human spirit serve as an inspiration to all to maximize their potential and ability for success. It is named after former William & Mary athletic director John Randolph, who lost a courageous battle with cancer in 1995.
Mutisya, a rising junior from Kitui, Kenya, quickly established herself as one of the top distance runners in the CAA from the moment she stepped on campus. She was recognized as the CAA women’s cross country Rookie of the Year in 2024 following a second-place finish at the CAA Championship (20:23.6). Mutisya posted three individual victories during her freshman cross country campaign and was the league’s top finisher at the NCAA Southeast Regional, placing 27
th (21:20.6). She was later honored as the 2025 CAA women’s indoor track & field Rookie of the Year after helping the Pirates capture their first team championship. Mutisya broke a league record in winning the 3,000 meters (9:16.47) and set a program mark in claiming gold in the 5,000 meters (15:45.87).
However, Mutisya’s storybook rookie season came to an unfortunate end at the CAA women’s outdoor track & field championship on May 15, 2025. After winning the 10,000-meter run (34:36.35) on the first day of competition, she was in the final stretch of taking the top spot in the 5,000 meters on Day 2 when her femur snapped. The injury was so severe that amputation was considered, and her eventual recovery sidelined her for more than eight months.
Following an extensive rehabilitation process, Mutisya returned to competition during the 2026 outdoor track & field season. Remarkably, she posted a first-place finish in the 1,500 meters (4:23.83) and placed fourth in the 10,000 meters (35:28.30) at the CAA Championship.
Along with her success on the track, Mutisya made the Hampton University Dean’s List and was a member of the CAA Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll.
PAST RANDOLPH AWARD RECIPIENTS
2026 Peniniah Mutisya Hampton
2025 Bobby Dwyer William & Mary
2024 Anthony Pecorella Stony Brook
2023 Madison Bednarik Monmouth
Cindy Lewis Hofstra
2022 Cara Scanio Hofstra
2021 Mark Faello Hofstra
Tom Kuster James Madison
2020 Aashaka Desai Delaware
Yeedee Thaenrat Towson
2019 Kionna Jeter Towson
2018 Trai Sharp James Madison
2017 Kathryn Ostrom UNCW
2016 Nicole Dennion Elon
2015 Dr. Maravene Loeschke Towson
2014 Heather Hartman Delaware
2013 Nick Colleluori Hofstra
UNCW women’s soccer UNCW
2012 Shelia Moorman James Madison
2011 Steven Vincent Delaware
2010 Dawn Evans James Madison
2009 Meghan Bain James Madison
2008 T.J. Carter UNCW
2007 Nicole Hester Drexel
2006 Kevin DuPrey Delaware
2005 Julia Shapiro Delaware
2004 Beth Childs Drexel
Alan Lindsey James Madison
Brannon Thomas William & Mary
2003 Ricky Beecher Towson
2002 Paul Tuohey Drexel
2001 Mandy Welch Delaware
2000 Laura Kenney George Mason
Liz Paoli George Mason
1999 Maria-Elena Calle VCU
1998 Felicia Allen Old Dominion
1997 Scott Pearson American
1996 Barbara Blosser William & Mary
John Welbourn East Carolina