Swiss sports brand On has officially signed Kenya’s Doris Lemngole to a professional contract, expanding her existing NIL agreement into a full professional deal on its global athlete roster.
The former University of Alabama standout capped a historic collegiate career as one of the most dominant distance runners in NCAA history. Lemngole captured back-to-back NCAA Cross Country Championship titles in 2024 and 2025, setting the fastest winning time in collegiate cross-country history with an 18:25.4 course record.
Her collegiate success translated seamlessly to the track. Lemngole secured the 2025 NCAA Indoor 5000-metre title alongside back-to-back Outdoor NCAA 3000m Steeplechase Championship titles in 2024 and 2025. She also set a historic NCAA steeplechase record of 8:58.15 and earned the USTFCCCA Lance Harter Collegiate National Athlete of the Year award. In 2025, she was awarded The Bowerman—the highest individual honour in collegiate track and field—becoming both the first Alabama Crimson Tide athlete and the first Kenyan to win the award.
Lemngole has already established her presence on the senior international circuit. While still a collegiate athlete, she won her Diamond League debut in the 3000m steeplechase at the Athletissima meeting in Lausanne. She subsequently represented Kenya at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, finishing fifth in the final.
“Doris has been a spectacular ambassador for On, and her transition to our professional roster is a proud moment for the brand,” said Niklas Buehner, Head of Athletics at On. “Watching her dominate the collegiate ranks, rewrite record books, and immediately challenge the best in the world at the Diamond League and World Championships made it a natural decision to offer Doris a professional contract.”
“Looking back, signing with On as an NIL athlete was more than just a partnership; it was the beginning of a journey that I will always be grateful for,” Lemngole said. “Their belief in me and support throughout my college career meant so much. To officially turn professional with On feels like the start of a new chapter.”
