HT Student-Athlete of the Month: Don Kasigwa

AUSTIN – Huston-Tillotson University cross country runner Don Kasigwa has been recognized as his sport's HT Rams Student-Athlete of the Month. He is the first men's cross country participated to be honored as part of an HT Athletics initiative that began after the fall sports season midway through the 2025-26 year.
 
Originally from Gauteng, South Africa, Kasigwa transferred to Huston-Tillotson from Garden City Community College in Kansas. He is a junior at HT majoring in kinesiology.
 
During the month of September, Kasigwa earned four weekly awards from the HBCU Athletic Conference. He was named the league's Newcomer of the Week in three consecutive weeks, and was also named Runner of the Week after turning in a time of 29 minutes, 14.3 seconds over the eight-kilometer Mountaineer Hill Country Invitational race on Sept. 19.
 
Kasigwa's time at the Hill Country Invitational was the second fastest 8K time by a runner in the HBCUAC this season, bested only by his own time at the UT Tyler Invitational earlier in the month.
 
GET TO KNOW DON:
Why did you choose to attend Huston-Tillotson University?
I had the opportunity to speak with head coach Chris Grant, and from our very first conversation, he showed belief in me and shared his vision for HT cross country and track. I wanted to be part of that vision and help build a strong foundation for future middle-distance athletes, both on and off the track. I want to contribute to the growth of the program, support the athletes coming after me, and help create something that will continue to grow for years to come.
 
What does being a student-athlete at HT mean to you?
It is an honor being a student-athlete at HT. I will always be proud to represent HT as a student athlete.
 
What has been your biggest accomplishment so far this season?
I honestly did not expect to be nominated as the HBCU Conference Runner of the Week or to receive Newcomer of the Week honors three times. I was also able to record the two fastest 8K times by more than two minutes, as well as the fastest times in the 5K and 5.2K. These accomplishments have shown me how much I have grown under my coach's program and the progress we are making as a team. They have also given us a better idea of where we stand heading into the conference championships and nationals
and what we can accomplish together.
 
Who or what motivates you to excel academically and athletically?
I hold myself to a standard and I believe that is my motivation. I don't settle for mediocre results in the
classroom and performance in my sport. I believe that sport and academics work hand in hand and it shapes you to be disciplined.
 
Who has had the biggest impact on your athletic journey and why?
My family has been my biggest source of motivation. They have sacrificed so much to help me get to where I am today, and they have always supported me to the fullest. I am truly grateful for everything they have done for me. I am also thankful for my secondary family, the Solis family, Corpus and Arteaga whom I met after coming to America. They have supported me, encouraged me, and been there for me
during difficult times. They are one of the reasons I have continued to push forward and never give up. I truly owe a lot of who I am today to all of my families.
 
How do you balance academics, athletics, and personal life?
I like to have a plan and focus on what is most important instead of trying to do everything at once.
Athletics teaches me discipline and time management, which also helps me stay focused in school. I make sure I give my best effort during training and classes, but I also make time to rest, spend time with family and friends, and take care of myself. I am an independent person, so I like to handle my responsibilities on my own and stay focused on my goals.
 
What goals have you set for yourself for the remainder of the season?
To finish off the season healthy, Win conference and go to nationals to compete and challenge the pure distance runners. I believe it will be fun to take them on.
 
What is something about you that most people don't know?
I think a lot more deeply than I show. I may seem quiet, serious, and focused, but I care deeply about the people around me and the goals I have set for myself. I like to keep my life simple and avoid unnecessary drama. I am also very hard on myself because I always want to improve and become better than I was yesterday. Even when I face challenges, I usually keep them to myself and continue moving forward.
 
What advice would you give to future HT student-athletes?
Take life easy and be patient, have a foundation with God so that when you fall or go through setbacks you have a 100 percent guarantee that your backbone (God) will always lift you up.
 
What song gets you hyped before a game?
Victony-Slick
 
Social Media Handles
Instagram : don_kasigwa_