Sophomore Michael Saruni was named the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association National Athlete of the Week, it was announced by the association Tuesday morning.
Saruni etched his name into track and field history when he clocked 1:43.25 and set the NCAA 800m record at the Desert Heat Classic on April 28. Donavan Brazier (Texas A&M, 1:43.55) previously held the record for two years. The Kenya native also passed former teammate Emmanuel Korir (1:43.77) on the all-time best in program history.
This is the second national honor for Saruni, after he clocked the No. 2 NCAA all-time best indoor 800m at the Texas Tech Classic. Saruni’s time of 1:45.19 sits just behind his coach Paul Ereng (1:44.84, 1989).
The Miners will enjoy a week off competition before heading to Houston, Texas, for the Conference USA Outdoor Championships hosted by Rice on May 10-13.
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