Feb. 25, 2013

New Orleans, La. - Anthony Rotich was named the USTFCCCA NCAA Division I Cross Country Scholar Athlete of the Year for his performance in the classroom.

The freshman not only dominates the competition on the course but also excels in the classroom as a pre-nursing major that has a cumulative GPA of 3.86.

The All-American had a stellar cross country campaign posting seven top four finishes in 2012. The distance runner was the first freshman to cross the finish lie at the NCAA Championships registering a time of 29:13.5. He was the first UTEP men's runner to record a top-four finish since Zak Barie, who claimed he individual title in 1983.

Rotich won individual titles at the C-USA Championships and Pre-Nationals during his firs season in the Orange and Blue.

Also earning recognition is nursing major Risper Kimaiyo, who was named USTFCCCA All-Academic for the third time as a Miner with a 3.45 GPA.

The senior capped off a stellar career as a Miner finishing fifth at the NCAA Championships posting a personal best of 19:41.0 in the 6K. Kimaiyo claimed her three straight crowns at the NCAA Regional Championships with a time of 20:10.8.  

The women's squad earned All-Academic team honors with a cumulative GPA of 3.25. A total of 200 institutions earned a spot on the team, including 11 squads from Conference USA.

For more information on the awards please visit, the USTFCCCA.