Cross Country Freshman Koech named CUSA Athlete of the Week

Irving, Texas – Jonah Koech received his first-career Conference USA Male Cross Country Athlete of the Week honor on Tuesday morning, as announced by the league offices.

For the third straight event, UTEP had a new runner claim the top spot in a meet. Newcomer Jonah Koech barely edged out four-time national championAnthony Rotich for first place in the Kachina Classic in the Las Cruces, N.M., last weekend.

Koech, a freshman, clocked a 7K time of 20:44.20 (4:46/mile average) to become victorious. His finish helped UTEP knock off New Mexico State and El Paso Community College, giving the Miners three straight meet victories to open the season.

Additionally, the native Kenyan has finished inside the top six at all three meets in 2015, keeping UTEP within striking distance of the USTFCCCA National Poll in the second-highest ‘receiving votes’ spot.

UTEP does not compete this weekend and will return to action at the Notre Dame Invitational (Oct. 2).

Author: UTEP Athletics