Kennedy Kithuka Named Region Athlete Of The Year
By: Britton Drown
Updated: March 4, 2013
Texas Tech senior distance runner Kennedy Kithuka was named the Mountain Region Male Track Athlete of the Year Monday as announced by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
Kithuka, who has gone unbeaten in five individual races this season while breaking four school records, currently ranks No. 1 nationally in the 5,000-meter run and No. 4 time nationally in the 3,000-meter run.
"He is just the most deserving of any athlete in the nation," head coach Wes Kittley said. "He has gone undefeated, and has been such a team leader. I'm just so proud of him and he is just really deserving of this honor."
Meanwhile, Kithuka anchored the men's distance medley relay team which finished third at the Big 12 Indoor Championships. Earlier this season, Kithuka became the first Texas Tech athlete in school history to run a mile in under four minutes at the Texas A&M Challenge in College Station.
Kithuka will now look to become the first male athlete in school history to win a national championship in each the 3,000-meter and 5,000-meter run this weekend at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships at the University of Arkansas.
The Thika, Kenyan native captured Big 12 Indoor Championships in each the 3,000-meter run and 5,000 meter run, and last fall was crowned the NCAA Cross Country Champion.
Kithuka becomes the second athlete in two years to earn Region Athlete of the Year honors as thrower Kelly Closse was tabbed the Female Field Mountain Region Athlete of the Year.
