Academy of Art University Athletics

Valentin Pepiot closed out his collegiate career in style as a two-time All-American (1500m, 5000m) at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Bradenton, Florida on May 28.

Beginning in the 1500m, the senior rose to first at the 1100m mark and though Oliver Aitchison (Adams State) and Kyle Medina (Chico State) pulled ahead in the final straightaway, all three runners were separated by less than half a second with Pepiot at 3:48.89. It would be the first track & field All-American honor in Pepiot's career.

In a grueling 5000m hours later, Pepiot gave it everything he had in the final 1200m, moving up 2-3 spots each successive 400m until he rose to second just steps behind Adams State's Sydney Gidabuday in the home stretch. Pepiot would finish second overall with a time of 14:13.73 for his second All-American honor of the day.