Texas Tech’s Kennedy Kithuka Named Cross Country National Athlete of the Year

Texas Tech junior Kennedy Kithuka has been named the National Male Athlete of the Year by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association of America for the 2012 cross country season.

The announcement Tuesday comes after Kithuka won the NCAA Cross Country Championships over the weekend, marking the first time in Texas Tech history a male has accomplished that feat.

"This is a great honor for Kennedy to cap an outstanding year of running." Texas Tech head cross country coach Jon Murray said. "After all of his dominate performances throughout the year it is a well-deserved honor."

Kithuka set a course record at the 2012 NCAA Championships with a time of 28:31.3.