Texas Tech Runner Kennedy Kithuka Earns Second Straight Big 12 Title

A Texas Tech runner has earned the title of Big 12 champion yet again.

Undefeated Red Raider senior Kennedy Kithuka finished 37 seconds ahead of second place finisher Kirubel Erassa of Oklahoma State, earning his second straight Big 12 Cross Country title.

Overall, the Red Raiders earned a program-best fifth place finish at the meet, and the Lady Raiders placed eighth.

Kithuka, the unblemished defending national champion, beat his record performance from 2012 by more than 30 seconds, clocking a time of 22:16.0.

“It was a great effort by both the men and women today,” said Tech head coach Jon Murray. “I am proud of Kennedy for repeating as champion. It takes a special person to keep the excellence that he has established.”

Tech will compete next at the NCAA Mountain Region Championship meet, which will be held on November 15^th in Ogden, Utah.