Sept. 20, 2011

IRVING, Texas - Conference USA has named UTEP's RISPER KIMAIYO and ELKANA ROTICH this week's Cross Country Athletes of the Week. The duo won individual titles at the Kachina Classic in Las Cruces, N.M. Kimaiyo posted a season-best time of 16:59 in the 5K race while Rotich ran an 8K time of 25:21.

C-USA Cross Country Notebook

CONFERENCE USA CROSS COUNTRY ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
RISPER KIMAIYO, UTEP - Junior / Iten, Kenya
All-American Risper Kimaiyo claimed her third-consecutive Kachina Classic title after posting a season-best time of 16:59 in the 5K race. This marks the third straight victory this season for the Kenyan native. As a team, the women had five top 15 finishers and produced a team score of 39 to finish second at the classic. This is Kimaiyo's third consecutive Athlete of the Week honor for the season and 10th of her career.

MALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
ELKANA ROTICH, UTEP - Junior / Eldoret, Kenya
Junior Elkana Rotich clocked a winning 8K time of time of 25:21 at the Kachina Classic in Las Cruces, N.M. This marks Rotich's second victory of the season. The Miners took second place to 21st-ranked New Mexico with three top-10 finishers and a team score of 38. This is his fourth career Athlete of the Week honor.

2011 C-USA CROSS COUNTRY ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
September 6
Male - Elkana Rotich, UTEP
Female - Risper Kimaiyo, UTEP 

September 13
Male - Justice Chirchir, UTEP
Female - Risper Kimaiyo, UTEP & Silje Fjortoft, SMU 

September 20
Male - Elkana Rotich, UTEP
Female - Risper Kimaiyo, UTEP