Kithuka named Big 12 Runner of The Week
By: Britton Drown - Texas Tech University
Updated: September 18, 2012
LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech junior cross country runner Kennedy Kithuka was named the Big 12 Men's Cross Country Runner of the Week as announced by the conference Tuesday.
Kithuka, a transfer from Wayland Baptist, finished first overall and broke a course record Friday at the Texas Tech Red Raider Open. It marked the second straight record breaking performance as he finished first overall and set a new course record at the Texas Tech Open in Ruidoso, N.M. in Tech's season-opener on Aug. 31.
"It's a great honor for Kennedy and what he has done so far," Texas Tech head cross country coach Jon Murray said. "He has been working extremely hard and has been very willing to jump into the system and do what we are trying to do. I anticipate some great results during his career here at Texas Tech."
Kithuka crossed the line Friday with a time of 23:88.44 in the 8,000-meter race to break the previous course record by nearly a minute. He led a 1-2 Red Raider sweep as Texas Tech claimed its second straight first place finish to open the season.
At Wayland Baptist, Kithuka claimed NAIA National Championships in both the 10,000-meter run and the 5,000-meter run.
Texas Tech will compete next at the Rim Rock Classic in Lawrence, Kan.
