Texas Tech Runner Kennedy Kithuka Earns Big 12 Honors

A record-breaking senior distance runner at Texas Tech has received conference honors.

Kennedy Kithuka has been named as the Big 12 Male Athlete of the Week.

Kithuka, the 2012 NCAA Cross Country Champion, broke the school record in the 3,000 meter run on Saturday, finishing first overall in the Meyo Invitational at Notre Dame.

“It’s a great honor for Kennedy,” said Tech head track and field coach Wes Kittley. “It was a great race to get him in good position for the NCAA Indoor Championships even without much competition.”

The Thika, Kenya native finished the Meyo Invitational with a time of 7:50.26, which currently ranks second nationally in the event. Kithuka is currently undefeated during both of his cross country and track careers.

He became the first Texas Tech athlete in school history to run a sub-four-minute mile, finishing first overall at the Texas A&M Challenge, with a time of 3:59.53.

Tech’s track and field program will compete in the Tyson Invitational this weekend at the Randal-Tyson Track Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas.